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Unzipping & Decompression Utilities
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Many files you'll encounter for downloading on the Net are in compressed form. Typically, these files will have a "ZIP" extension. Many software sites compress files, so that you may download them quicker.
The only drawback to compressed files is that you must uncompress them before you use them. Below, we feature the Web's best free tools for decompressing files. These tools will handle any type of compressed file you'll encounter. Besides the popular ZIP format, there are many other compression formats, such as Stuffit (.sit) files (for Mac users) and uuencoded (.uue), BinHex (.hqx), ARC (.arc), Arj (.arj), and gzip (.gz) formats, etc.
The most popular decompression tool on the Web is WinZip. It's an outstanding, easy-to-use program. The only problem is that it's shareware, not freeware. After you download it, every time you use it, you'll get an annoying "nag" screen. (And for good reason: after all, if you use it, you're expected to register and pay for this commercial product).
However, the programs we list below don't have that problem: they're free, and in many cases are nearly as good, or as good, as WinZip.
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 PowerArchiver 2000 - An easy-to-use freeware zip and unzip utility, PowerArchiver offers a good interface and all the bells and whistles of the most popular commercial archive programs. Features integration with Windows (including extracting archives and zipping files directly from Windows Explorer); checking for viruses in archive; drag and drop; and more. 1.7 megabytes. (For Windows 98/95/NT and 2000).
- Aladdin Expander - The classic free decompression tool for the Mac is now available for Windows users. An easy-to-use utility, Aladdin Expander can handle any type of compressed file you throw at it, including Stuffit. (.sit) and ZIP files. It'll also handle uuencoded (.uue), BinHex (.hqx), and MacBinary (.bin), ARC (.arc), Arj (.arj), and gzip (.gz) formats. (For Windows 95/98/NT and Macs).
 Free Zipper - A handy freeware utility, Free Zipper lets you easily compress and decompress files, as well as create self-extracting ZIP files. With Free Zipper, you can also create ZIP archives; remove files from an archive; test the integrity of ZIP files and compress folders with only two clicks. 850 kilobytes. (For Windows 98/95).
- Info-ZIP - This is a free ZIP utility that supports command line parameters and saves long file names. "Info-ZIP's purpose is to provide free, portable, high-quality versions of the Zip and UnZip compressor-archiver utilities that are compatible with the DOS-based PKZIP by PKWARE, Inc."
 FreeZip - A decompression program from Australia, FreeZip is speedy and easy to set up and use. It integrates with Windows Explorer and uses file associations and context menus to zip or unzip files, including long file names and subdirectories. 290 kilobytes. (For Win 95/98). Japanese version is also available. The manual is offered in many other languages.
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