7-Zip is a powerful file archiving tool known for its impressive compression capabilities. This software is available for free and operates under open-source principles, with the majority of its code governed by the GNU LGPL license, while some components adhere to the BSD 3-clause License. Additionally, certain sections of the code fall under the unRAR licensing restrictions, so it's advisable to review the licensing details. 7-Zip can be utilized on any computer, including those within commercial environments, without the need for registration or payment. It offers a superior compression ratio for the 7z format, utilizing LZMA and LZMA2 methods, and achieves a compression performance that is 2-10% more effective than that of PKZip and WinZip for ZIP and GZIP formats. Users can benefit from robust AES-256 encryption for the 7z and ZIP formats, along with self-extracting functionality specifically for the 7z format. The tool seamlessly integrates with the Windows Shell and offers a powerful command-line version, as well as a plugin for FAR Manager. Furthermore, it supports localization in 87 different languages and can pack or unpack various formats including 7z, XZ, BZIP2, GZIP, TAR, ZIP, and WIM, making it a versatile choice for both casual and professional users alike. Its wide-ranging compatibility across different file formats and user-friendly features contribute to its popularity among file archiving solutions.