TUGZip is a freeware archiving utility for Windows. It can open common formats like zip, rar, 7zip, etc. as well as obscure ones like ace, lib, tbz, etc. In addition, it supports disc images including the nero format nrg. The program also has a multi-extract option to extract multiple archives at once.

On the writing side, it can create archives in most of the common formats, which is more than enough for anyone. Users have the option of using any one of 6 different encryption formats to create their archives. It can also create self-extracting archives.

TUGZip is pretty easy to use. It has a simple, easy to understand interface, with good navigation. The program is also capable of updating automatically using the built-in ‘web update’ function.

If you’re looking for a good archiving utility for your needs, I’d recommend TUGZip. If you find other programs too complicated to use, do give this software a try. I bet you won’t be disappointed. Oh , and it would also be great if you could clue me in about which program is your favorite file archiver.

What I really like about IZArc is that it opens really quickly and seems to unpack files at least as fast as WinRar. I did not benchmark anything here so this is just my opinion. IZArc offers all the usual features that archive programs offer these days such as shell integration, drag and drop support, self-extracting archives and multi-volume archives.

IZArc can also be downloaded as a mobile version called IZArc2Go and a command line add-on for the main program that supports batch processing is also available at the official website. I don’t think the users that already use 7-zip will make the switch because of their program offering basically the same features.

Update: IZArc has been in development for quite some time. After four years, it is still being actively developed. When you look at the program’s feature list you notice that it supports a wide variety of them. This includes common features like creating, deleting and adding archives, but also less common features like converting an archive into a different format, repairing broken archives or merging multi-volume sets.

IZArc supports a few dozen archive file types plus several CD and VD image formats, which makes the archiving software a versatile tool.

The program integrates well, even on 64-bit editions of the Windows operating system. It integrates nicely into Windows Explorer so that it becomes possible to access the most common functions directly with a right-click and the selection of the right option from the context menu.