9 ZIP
9-ZIP: Free File Archiver
9 ZIP is a free file archiver software that allows you to easily compress and decompress files and folders. It supports popular compression formats like ZIP, RAR, 7Z, and more. Key features include drag and drop support, file splitting, encryption, self-extracting archives, and integrates well with Windows File Explorer.
What is 9 ZIP?
9 ZIP is a free and open-source file archiver software for Windows that allows users to easily compress and decompress files and folders in various popular formats including ZIP, RAR, 7Z, BZ2, GZ, TAR, XZ, and more. It aims to provide an easy-to-use alternative to heavyweight archiving solutions with a simple, no-frills interface.
Key features of 9 ZIP include:
- Intuitive drag and drop interface for quick file/folder compression and extraction.
- Support for splitting large archives across multiple files or disks.
- AES-256 bit encryption for securing sensitive data.
- Creating self-extracting EXE archives.
- Shell integration with Windows File Explorer context menus.
- Lightweight installer without bundled adware or junkware.
As an open-source archiver built solely for Windows, 9 ZIP integrates tighter with the operating system compared to cross-platform tools. It runs well even on low-spec hardware. The program is localized in many languages and has an active community behind ongoing development and user support.
While it lacks some advanced capabilities of premium software like WinRAR or 7-Zip, 9 ZIP provides a free and easy option for basic to intermediate home and office users looking to work with compressed file archives on Windows.
9 ZIP Features
Features
- Compress and decompress ZIP, RAR, 7Z, ISO, and other archive formats
- Drag and drop support for easy file/folder compression
- Split large archives into smaller volumes
- Encrypt archives with AES-256 bit encryption
- Create self-extracting EXE files
- Integrates with Windows File Explorer
- Supports multi-core processing for faster compression
Pricing
- Free
- Open Source
Pros
Cons
Official Links
Reviews & Ratings
Login to Review10 reviews
Rating Breakdown
Recent Reviews
callen1004
Mar 13, 2026Gets the job done but could be simpler
It works fine for basic zipping and unzipping, especially since it's free. I like the Windows Explorer integration and support for many formats. However, the interface is a bit dated and it occasionally feels slow with large archives. It's a …
oliver_jackson95
Mar 12, 2026Clunky and Unreliable - There Are Better Free Alternatives
After using 9 ZIP for a few months, I've found it to be frustratingly slow and prone to errors. While it claims to support many formats, I frequently encounter extraction failures with RAR files that work fine in other programs. …
mwhite9090
Mar 10, 2026Does the job, but some frustrating quirks
9 ZIP works well enough for basic ZIP and RAR files, and you can't beat the price. However, it sometimes struggles with large archives or less common formats, and I've had a few crashes when trying to create password-protected files. …
olivia_harris40
Mar 08, 2026Buggy and Unreliable - Look Elsewhere
I tried 9 ZIP hoping for a simple compression tool, but it's been nothing but frustrating. The interface feels outdated and clunky, and I've had multiple archives fail to extract properly, especially with RAR files. The Windows Explorer integration is …
avery_hall98
Mar 06, 2026Simple, Free, and Gets the Job Done
I've been using 9 ZIP for about six months now to handle my basic compression needs, and it's been a reliable tool. The drag-and-drop functionality and tight Windows Explorer integration make it incredibly easy to zip up project folders or …
Rating Distribution
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