New
#41
7-Zip installer is nothing but just a self extract executable. If you use more than one Windows, you can just use Winrar to extract it to a folder and use it as a portable app so you would not have to install it in every Windows Version. To associate file types, open 7-zip->Tools->Option then you're all set.
One nice thing about 7-zip is it can open/extract both install.wim and install.esd while Winrar and Winzip can't. Handy to use with DISM command to fix Windows.
That's why I didn't use it yet... I know it had extra features or something, otherwise you wouldn't be using it. I normally only view inside .zip files and archives in general and view the internal text file. Haven't had to deal with .dll and .esd files yet... One thing I have to say is when creating a zip with right click on the source file, it's one step less than WinRAR and seems to be about 75% faster from the time I start the creation process to the time, the zip file shows up.
WinRAR supposedly handles extracting .cab's better according to someone else in the Realtek HD Audio driver thread. I don't even use WinZip anymore. WinZip, WinRAR, PKZip, PKARC are all commercial programs. I didn't realize 7-zip was completely free until recently. I work for NASA and also own a ISP so I have volume licenses to use.