IZArc is a free file compression and archive manager for Windows. It opens formats including ZIP, RAR, 7Z, TAR and GZIP, and provides tools for creating archives, extracting their contents and changing how archived files are packaged. Alongside ordinary compressed folders, IZArc handles split archives, self-extracting files and several disc-image formats.
Archive contents
Opening an archive displays its files so you can select the items you need before extracting them to a chosen folder. File information includes paths, sizes and compression rates, with sorting by attributes such as name, size or date. A double-click opens a member in its associated application, while drag-and-drop moves files between IZArc and Windows Explorer.
IZArc also lets you add or delete archive members and view or write archive comments. Its archive test checks integrity, and its ZIP repair tool attempts to recover a damaged archive. Testing can expose an error, whereas repair tries to make damaged data usable again. A corrupted file may still require a fresh copy.
Creating and converting archives
To build an archive, you choose its name and destination, then select the files to include. The Add Files dialog provides choices for archive type, compression level and password.
Password protection includes support for AES-256 encryption. IZArc can also convert between archive types, allowing an existing collection to be repackaged in another supported format. Support for opening an archive format does not mean that the same format is available for creation.
The installed program adds Explorer commands such as Add to .zip and Extract Here. Those commands let you compress selected files or unpack an archive from the folder containing it, without first navigating to that location inside IZArc.
Multi-volume archives
IZArc can split an existing archive into multiple parts. The multi-volume tool takes the source archive, a destination and output name, and the size to use for each part. That control is useful when a single archive must fit within a per-file transfer or storage limit.
The reverse operation merges a multi-volume archive into one ZIP file. You choose the location and name of the combined archive.
Self-extraction
A self-extracting archive combines the packaged files with an extractor in an EXE file. IZArc can create one from a new or existing archive, so the recipient can unpack it without a separate archiving utility. Options include a default extraction folder, a caption for the extraction dialog and a message shown before that dialog opens.
IZArc also provides UnSFX conversion, which turns a self-extracting EXE back into a standard archive.
Disc images
IZArc opens disc images including ISO, BIN, CDI and NRG. Its image-conversion tools include BIN-to-ISO and NRG-to-ISO conversion, producing an ISO file for use with software that expects that image format.
IZArc2Go portable edition
The separate IZArc2Go edition carries the archive tools on a USB drive and keeps its settings in its own application folder. It omits the installed edition’s Explorer shell-menu integration and archive file associations. Both personal and commercial use of IZArc are free.
