Bandizip

by: CNET staff on October 17, 2011

A good zip utility is among the most recommended Windows accessories, even though Windows packs a pretty good one itself. But so many free third-party zip tools outperform the built-in Windows tool that it'd be a shame not to take advantage of them. The best we've tried integrate themselves into Windows and show up in right-click menus, offer fast and powerful compression and encryption, and handle a wide range of file types. We recently tried BandiZip, which does most of what the other free zip tools do as well as offering ultra-fast archiving. Its proprietary compression technology skips those files that don't compress well and sometimes leave larger files when compressed, like many media files, which dramatically speeds archive creation. Also, it doesn't extract files to a Temp folder and then copy them to the destination; it extracts files directly to the destination, although you can designate a temporary folder if you prefer to use that method.

BandiZip's options let us not only integrate the program with right-click menus in Explorer but also choose which elements we wanted to add to menus, enable cascading menus, and other options. We quickly zipped and unzipped a variety of files and folders using several of BandiZip's methods, including automatic extraction and the Preview Archive feature, which lets users see an archive's contents before opening it, both in the context menu and in the program's main interface--a plain dialog that is all business. Next we tried something harder, a mix of documents, media files, and programs. Once again, BandiZip compressed the contents with blazing speed. We tried compressing only media files, which took a bit longer, but not much. We could add files to archives for both BandiZip and 7-Zip, compress files to one archive or separate archives, extract files to various destinations or open them in BandiZip, and other choices. We opened the Settings dialog, which let us configure BandiZip's compression methods, context menu entries, file associations, and more. Under the Miscellaneous tab, we could designate a temporary folder directory or change the interface language. The Help file is illustrated with clear screen shots.

Our unscientific test methodology returned these results about BandiZip: "Gee, that sure seems fast!" We have no complaints about BandiZip's performance and no problem recommending it as a default zip tool for Windows.

window.addEvent('domready', function() { $$('div[id^="universalVideo"]').set('styles', { clear: 'none', overflow: 'hidden' }); });

Bandizip is free archiving software. Bandizip supports for ZIP, ZIPX, RAR, 7Z, ARJ, ALZ, EGG, LZH, TAR, BH, GZ, BZ2, JAR, ISO, CAB, WIM, XZ, Z, ACE, TXZ, TLZ, PMA, and J2J archives files and users can create ZIP, ZIPX, TAR, TGZ, EXE and multi-volume (split) archives files. Bandizip has fast Zip algorithm for compression and extraction by "Fast Drag and Drop" and "High Speed Archiving" function.

What's new in this version: Version 2.07 has added Slovenian language and fixed some filenames were broken in certain OS.

All versions:

4.3 stars out of 9 votes

5 star: 6 4 star: 2 3 star: 0 2 star: 0 1 star: 1 Current version:

0 stars Be the first to review this product My rating:

0 stars

Write review 5.0 stars

"Probably, the best file compression software!"

April 13, 2012  |   By PHILX

Version: Bandizip 2.03

Pros

I supports most file types, fast, easy to use. You can compress to 7z (7 zip) format, which is the best format.
I have tried 7 Zip, Tugzip, hamster, Izarc, peazip... This one is the best so far.

Cons

none......

Reply to this review

Was this review helpful? (0) (0)

5.0 stars

"A software that everyone failed to notice"

April 8, 2012  |   By Sreesnp

Version: Bandizip 2.03

Pros

Swift compressing and extracting. Support formats I have never heard in recent times.It does what it is supposed to do.This feature makes it more convenient to use.

Cons

I have no cons to say.

Summary

The software that will never let you looking for an alternative software for compressing and extracting.

Reply to this review

Was this review helpful? (0) (0)

4.0 stars

"This was a real good softwaer and very easy to use."

April 5, 2012  |   By marithabergman

Version: Bandizip 2.03

Pros

I dont know what this mean, pros.

Cons

This is also something I do not know what it means, cons.

Summary

I am sorry for not understanding what this was meant to be but hope it was for any help with what I liked about the softwear.

Reply to this review

Was this review helpful? (0) (0)

5.0 stars

"Best n fast that you can ever dream"

March 18, 2012  |   By kamlesh289525

Version: Bandizip 2.03

Pros

wide range of formats support even LINUX and .001 support that others doesn't offer.

Cons

not for me so far during 3 months of usage..

Summary

Must try ----Its my favourite compression and archieving tool..now I never use winrar :-)

Reply to this review

Was this review helpful? (0) (0)

4.0 stars

"opens the files."

February 20, 2012  |   By laroka69

Version: Bandizip 1.0.4

Pros

works great so far.

Cons

none so far.

Reply to this review

Was this review helpful? (0) (0)

5.0 stars

"Well made. Quick. Efficient UI. Full featured."

January 3, 2012  |   By blancheirving

Version: Bandizip 1.0.3

Pros

Exactly what this adds to the context menu is user configurable - that's the most attractive aspect of this very nice freeware. I happen to prefer the cascaded option - so uncluttered.

It does seem to perform its compressions quicker than anything I've used before (other than the open source 7-Zip archiver- which, it appears, is incorporated in entirety into Bandizip).

Another great feature is the preview panel (showing what the decompressed files will look like) built into the context menu.

Users also get to choose from various sets icons for the resulting archived files. They get configured into the OS as part of the process of installing Bandizip. The default set is excellent; I really like it.

Cons

None I have seen. Certainly none of my malware scans have squawked at Bandizip. And it's exhibited no drawbacks in its features or functioning.

Summary

This is hands-down the best archiver I have ever seen. And it's freeware. End of story.

Reply to this review

Was this review helpful? (0) (0)

1.0 stars

"Spyware???"

December 27, 2011  |   By jlp2011

Version: Bandizip 1.0.3

Pros

none that I know of

Cons

none that i know of

Summary

Just tried to install this but AVG flagged it as spyware.

Reply to this review

Was this review helpful? (0) (0)

5.0 stars

"So far, so good!"

October 26, 2011  |   By rsgrignuoli

Version: Bandizip 1.0.3

Pros

It's easy to use and quick to get up a running and you can customise it to fit the way you work.

Cons

None that I have found.

Summary

I would get this if you don't have it already.

Reply to this review

Was this review helpful? (0) (0)

5.0 stars

"It is now my favorite Zip tool. Love it"

October 24, 2011  |   By RonMayo2012

Version: Bandizip 1.0.3

Pros

love the Preview of the zips before you open them.
Never know what is inside before it is too late.
awesome icons too.

Cons

not any that i have seen.

Summary

Free tool that works great.
Has a preview window before you open file.

Reply to this review

Was this review helpful? (0) (0)

You are logged in as . Please submit your review for Bandizip 2.07

Please describe the problem you have with this software. This information will be sent to our editors for review.

Thank you for submitting a problem report! The Download team is committed to providing you with accurate software information.

OK

// Floating Download Bar function toggleDLbarStop() { var downloadNowButton = $('downloadLinks'); var downloadNowBar = $('floatingDLCTABar'); var downloadNowButtonCoordinates = downloadNowButton.getCoordinates(); var windowScroll = window.getScroll(); downloadNowBar.set('tween', { duration: 'short', transition: 'linear', link: 'ignore' }); if(windowScroll.y > downloadNowButtonCoordinates.bottom){ downloadNowBar.removeClass('hiding'); downloadNowBar.addClass('showing'); downloadNowBar.tween('height', 36); } else if(windowScroll.y

From CNET. Visit Amazon Store here

Posted in: Bandizip