Having any of the best file extractors installed on your Windows or macOS PC will make it easier for you to extract compressed files and also compress files into smaller chunks before you transfer them out or upload them via cloud storage services.
Extracting files on a PC is quite easy, but it’s a lot easier when you have the right tools that’ll help you extract any compressed files or folders on your computer, getting the right tools or software can be a bit difficult because there are plenty of them online and only few can extract any type of compressed files and that’s why we’ve handpicked the best file extractors for you in this article on NaijaKnowHow.
File extractors are used to extract files from archive formats, like .ZIP and .RAR, among many others. Whether you just want to unpack your downloads or you want to extract important data from an archive file, there are plenty of free tools available that can help you out and they’re listed below.
List of The Best File Extractors for Windows and macOS
When it comes to getting an extractor on a PC, there is plenty of software out there and rather than searching all around for which one to download, we’ve made your job easier by providing the best file extractors below, they can be downloaded on your Windows and macOS PC.
1. WinRAR
WinRAR is a free file archiver and compressor utility that can create and open compressed files, extract from archives, and more. It’s an all-in-one package with support for 15 different formats. It works as a converter as well and it’s highly regarded as one of the best RAR to Zip converters.
WinRAR is one of the most popular file compression programs on the market, with a good number of features without being too complicated to use. The interface is fairly intuitive, with all the basic functions easily accessible from the buttons at the top. You can also access advanced features by right-clicking on any file or a selected group of files.
2. WinZip
WinZip is a popular file extractor, with versions available for both Windows and Mac. The company offers standalone versions of its software that can be downloaded from its website, as well as cloud-based versions that require an online subscription. In addition to the file extraction functions, WinZip also includes password protection and encryption features. The free version has restrictions on the number of files that can be opened at once, but these can be removed with an upgrade to a paid plan.
3. 7-Zip
7-Zip is an open-source file archiver with a high compression ratio. It supports 7z, ZIP, RAR, CAB, ARJ and other formats. The application is free and can be used on all versions of the Windows operating system. 7-Zip has a minimalistic interface with just two panels which makes it very easy to use the application.
7-Zip is lightweight and very easy to install and that’s why it’s so popular, this file extractor is one of the best file extractors for PC, you can download it on your Windows and macOS PC.
4. Bandizip
Bandizip is a popular file extractor that has been around since 2007. It is an all-in-one tool and it supports both Windows and Mac operating systems, so you don’t have to buy separate software for your computer if you have both types. Plus, there are no limits on the number of files you can extract. You can purchase Bandizip for $24.95 but there’s also a free trial available on their website so that you can test it out before making the purchase.
The program has an intuitive user interface and offers many advanced features, such as encryption and long path names. Bandizip works on any operating system that supports zip files, which includes Windows 7 and later, and Mac OS X 10.5 or later, it’s one of the best file extractors out there.
5. PeaZip
PeaZip is a free, open-source file extractor that supports over 200 compression formats and is available on Windows, Mac OSX, Linux, and other operating systems. It supports extracting files from encrypted RAR and ZIP archives. Additionally, it supports unzipping any type of file including ISO, 7ZIP, TAR and much more.
With PeaZip, you can browse your compressed files and folders before extraction to see their content whether images or texts, it also allows you to save your extracted files to one of several different locations, extract all or just selected items from the archive, create new archives with chosen settings, encrypt the output file with a password for the maximum security level. This is one of the best file extractors for PC if you are looking for advanced features.
6. ZipGenius
ZipGenius is one of the best file extractors for pc. It allows you to search, preview, and extract files from compressed archives on your computer. ZipGenius also supports RAR, ZIPX, 7ZIP and other formats, it’s a freeware tool and it offers an alternative way to handle file compression and extraction without paying.
This software is a powerful tool that can be used to compress files or folders into smaller archives using ZIP, RAR or 7ZIP formats. It can also be used as an archive viewer. ZipGenius is one of the best file extractors for PC and it runs on any version of the Windows operating system.
7. Zipware
Zipware is a file extractor that has a high success rate. It is easy to use, which means it will take you less time to get the files you want out of your zip. You can also use this software on Windows computers only.
Zipware is also one of the safest options available because it uses 256-bit encryption and doesn’t require the installation of any third-party software. With all these features and more, Zipware is the best option for your needs.
8. TUGZip
TUGZip is a powerful, free file extractor for Windows and Mac that can open most compressed files. It has a simple, intuitive interface and features like drag-and-drop functionality, an integrated updater to ensure you have the latest version of the program, and best of all no adware or spyware.
TUGZip can open any compressed files, including ZIP archives (.zip) as well as other popular formats such as RAR and 7z, Tar, ISO, DMG and so on. It’s a tool that works smoothly and it’s arguably one of the best file extractors for PC.
9. IZArc
IZArc is a file archiver with a nice graphical interface and some advanced features. It can be used to create, extract, and convert ZIP files, RAR files, EXE files, ARJ files, ISO files and other formats. IZArc also has the ability to edit and create new archives from within the program.
IZArc is simple to use as it does not require any installation process or additional DLLs. It supports drag-and-drop operation which allows users to simply drag desired files on IZArc’s window and start compressing them immediately. Its context menu allows a one-click selection of the compression type, either store or extract.
Conclusion
Having a good file extraction tool on your PC offers a lot of benefits and in terms of handling compressed files and folders with different formats, any of the tools listed above will surely come in handy. The good news about getting any of them is that they’re free and fast.
