7-Zip: Powerful Free File Compression & Decompression Tool

7-Zip is a software tool used for file compression and decompression. It's an open-source program available for free, and it supports a wide range of file formats. 7-Zip uses the 7z archive format by default, which offers high compression ratios compared to other formats like ZIP or RAR.

Some key features of 7-Zip include:

1. High compression ratio: 7-Zip uses LZMA and LZMA2 compression algorithms, which provide excellent compression ratios, especially for text-based files.
2. Multi-format support: 7-Zip can handle various archive formats, including 7z, ZIP, TAR, GZIP, BZIP2, and more.
3. Encryption: 7-Zip supports AES-256 encryption for securing sensitive files.
4. Self-extracting capability: It allows creating self-extracting archives, which can be useful when you need to share files with others who may not have a compression tool installed.
5. Integration with Windows Shell: 7-Zip integrates with the Windows Explorer context menu, making it easy to compress or extract files with a right-click.
6. Command-line support: It provides a command-line interface for advanced users who prefer to use scripts or automation.

Overall, 7-Zip is a powerful and versatile compression tool that offers high compression ratios and supports a wide range of file formats.