PeaZip is a free, open-source file archiver for Windows (and other operating systems). It[SQ]s a versatile tool that allows you to :

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Create and extract archives:

It supports a wide variety of archive formats, including 7Z, ARC, ARJ, BZ2, CAB, DMG, GZ, ISO, LHA, PAQ, PEA, RAR, TAR, TBZ, TGZ, UDF, WIM, XAR, and ZIP, among others. This means you can work with almost any compressed file you encounter.

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Encrypt archives:

PeaZip offers strong encryption capabilities, using algorithms like AES-256, protecting your sensitive data within the archives.

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Self-extracting archives:

It can create self-extracting archives, making it easy for others to open your compressed files without needing a dedicated archive program.

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Split archives:

You can split large archives into smaller parts for easier storage and transfer across different media.

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Integrate with Windows Explorer:

PeaZip integrates seamlessly into the Windows Explorer context menu, allowing you to compress and decompress files directly from the file explorer.

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Command-line interface:

For advanced users, PeaZip also offers a command-line interface for automating archiving tasks.

In short, PeaZip is a comprehensive and powerful archiving tool that provides a user-friendly interface and a wide range of features, making it a strong alternative to commercial archivers like WinRAR or 7-Zip. While 7-Zip is very popular and also free and open-source, PeaZip adds some extra features and a slightly different interface for users who might prefer it.