FilZip

FilZip

Easy program operation sets this freeware file compression tool apart from the crowded genre. FilZip’s interface isn’t anything special. You’ve seen the function buttons and file tree display many times before. The well-written Help manual includes numerous tutorials for the program’s functions.

FilZip will compress and decompress ACE, ARC, ARJ, BH, XXE, ZOO, ZIP, and others. It’s doubtful most users will need a format not covered by this tool. As with many current compression tools, FilZip insists users first open or create an archive file. Once done, the Add File dialog opens to reveal one of the more useful dialogs we’ve found in the genre. The dialog’s left pane is a very quick file browser. To add files, you merely browse to the file or folder you wish to add to the archive and press the Add button. The right pane lists files chosen for the archive. Once finished you merely press a button to create the archive.

FilZip includes a simple six-option context menu interface to unarchive files. Easily selected options include extracting in place, to a new directory, e-mailing or testing it. FilZip includes the many archive options expected in current tools. With a check you can add hidden files, save relative paths, define compression ratio, span multiple disks, and numerous other options. This tool was last updated in mid-2006 and is compatible up to PKZIP version 2.04g.

FilZip is both easy to use for novices, and flexible enough for experienced users. It may not cover every archiving format, but it should handle most needs.