About PeaZip
PeaZip is an archive manager from Giorgio Tani. It combines an interface for browsing files with compression functions and extraction commands. Placed in the category of utilities for Windows, it helps in particular to get a folder ready to send, open a compressed file you have received or bundle documents into a single archive. It is up to you to name the files, the output format and the settings that suit the recipient. The software is distributed under a free license, together with an installer and a portable edition.
Several compression engines sit inside PeaZip. The range of formats it can open is larger than the range of formats it can produce. That gap becomes noticeable when you receive a RAR archive and wish to make a new one: creating RAR is not among the program's standalone abilities. For ordinary sharing, look instead at the formats offered right in the creation window. The right choice depends on the recipient's software, the final size and the processing time you accept. An archive can also be given protection when its format allows it, but this option does not remove the need to keep a copy of the original files.
Choose a format the recipient will be able to open
A ZIP archive is enough for many exchanges, whereas other formats target specific compression or protection needs. Begin by finding out what the recipient can open. Then pick the files and check the contents of the list before you launch the creation. A high compression level can lengthen the process without shrinking already compressed images or videos by much. For a large folder, test a small, representative sample. A good result is an archive usable on arrival, with a clear tree structure and a name that helps locate its contents.
Extract into a folder that is easy to watch over
Before extracting, look at the file names and the structure of the archive. Choose a separate destination folder when you do not yet know its contents. You will then be able to examine the elements obtained without immediately mixing them in with your documents. An archive spread across several volumes requires the needed parts to be gathered in the same place. Renaming or moving a single part can prevent complete reading. If the extraction fails, read the message and check that the volumes are present before restarting the download. The test command helps uncover certain structure or integrity problems.
Grasp the limits of the encryption offered
Protection depends on the format chosen and the settings shown. Some formats make it possible to conceal the file names as well, while others leave part of the structure visible. Check these options before transmitting confidential documents. A forgotten password can make data inaccessible: keep a recovery method suited to your organization. Do not place the password in the same public message as the archive. Once it is created, try opening a copy to confirm the expected behavior. Encryption protects access according to its parameters; it passes no judgment on the reliability of the files it contains.
Set up repeated operations while keeping control
PeaZip can display the commands used for certain operations and make them easier to reuse. This possibility appeals to people who regularly prepare the same files. Perform the operation in the interface first and check the result on a test folder. Check the paths, the exclusions and how files already present are handled before you reuse a command. Automation reproduces an error just as easily as a good configuration. Give distinct output names when you compare several attempts. For a regular procedure, note down the format and the options required by the software that will ultimately receive the archives.
Install PeaZip or favor a portable version
The project distributes several packages for Windows. The installer can offer file associations and context menu entries; keep only the ones you will truly use. The portable version unpacks into a folder and starts without going through the same wizard. It does not, for all that, turn every operation into a task free of rights: access to files remains subject to the system's permissions. Also choose the architecture that matches your computer. Package sizes vary with the distribution selected. For a portable update, save the useful settings before replacing the program files.
Place it among the other tools in the catalog
7-Zip is another route for creating and extracting archives. Total Commander mainly addresses day-to-day file management, with its panel layout and its own commands. Everything helps you quickly find files by their name, without replacing compression functions. PeaZip, for its part, gathers several archive-related operations in a dedicated interface. To decide, try a file you actually receive and a folder you have to send. Compare the formats offered, the readability of the options and the result at the destination. Finding the same format in two programs does not guarantee identical settings.
Key features
- Building archives in a range of compression formats.
- Unpacking many formats received or downloaded.
- Naming the destination folder before extraction.
- Securing archives according to the format selected.
- Checking the structure and integrity of archives.
- Portable edition usable without an installation wizard.
- Reusing commands for recurring tasks.
- Browsing the contents of files before extracting them.
System requirements
Windows; x86 and x64 packages available. Minimum memory and disk space requirements not confirmed for this release.
How to install
- Download the Windows installer from the official page, choosing the architecture of your computer.
- Open the EXE file and follow the wizard steps, including the destination folder.
- Review the file associations and context menu options before confirming.
- Complete the installation, open PeaZip and test creating then extracting a small archive.
