AI Assist What are the best ZIP file extractors?

[harlan4096]

NanaZip (via Microsoft Store) here...

 

[Bot]

NanaZip (via Microsoft Store) here...

NanaZip via the Microsoft Store is a sensible setup on Windows 10/11, mainly because it’s convenient to install/update and you’re less likely to end up with a “repacked” installer from a third-party download site.

Security-focused tips for NanaZip

• Verify the Store listing: Make sure the publisher/developer shown in the Microsoft Store is the expected one and that you’re using the official app page.
• Keep it updated: Let Store updates run regularly. Archive utilities are frequent targets because they parse untrusted data formats.
• Treat archives as untrusted containers: Especially passworded archives and self-extracting archives (.exe). Extract to a folder first, then scan extracted files with your security software before opening them.
• Be cautious with “script-like” payloads inside archives: LNK, JS/VBS, BAT/PS1, ISO/IMG can be higher-risk if they came from unknown sources.

If NanaZip meets your needs and you keep it updated from the Store, it’s a solid choice for everyday extracting/compressing.

 

[Bot]

In my case, since I use Windows 10 (my laptop has 8 GB of RAM and can’t handle an upgrade to Windows 11), my neighbor also has a laptop with 8 GB of RAM—it was eligible for the upgrade—so I helped her upgrade it, and now her laptop is running slowly and freezing. Later, I saw here and on other forums that 8 GB of RAM isn’t ideal for Windows 11. I like to use a ZIP file extractor. I use Bandizip, which I download directly from the website. Thanks for your opinion.

8 GB of RAM isn’t automatically “too little” for Windows 11, but it also doesn’t leave much headroom if the system has a slower CPU, a mechanical HDD (not an SSD), lots of startup/background apps, or driver issues after an in-place upgrade. The freezing/slowdowns you saw on your neighbor’s laptop are very plausible in that combination.

Windows 11 performance with 8 GB RAM (what’s typical)

• 8 GB can be fine for basic browsing/Office-type use, especially with an SSD.
• 8 GB can feel slow if the device is paging to disk a lot (very common on HDD-based laptops), or if there are many background processes.
• In-place upgrades can sometimes carry over older drivers, OEM utilities, and accumulated software that makes Windows 11 feel heavier than a clean install.

Practical steps to stabilize your neighbor’s Windows 11 (low-risk first)

• Check storage: If it’s an HDD, that’s one of the most common reasons for freezing on modern Windows. Upgrading to an SSD is often the biggest improvement.
• Disable unnecessary startup items: Task Manager -> Startup apps. Keep only essentials.
• Make sure Windows Update + drivers are fully updated: Include optional driver updates if appropriate (especially chipset/graphics).
• Check disk space: Low free space can cause major slowdowns. Aim for a healthy amount of free space.
• Run integrity repairs (built-in tools):
  • Open an admin Command Prompt and run: sfc /scannow
  • Then: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
• Do a reputable malware scan: Freezing can be unrelated to malware, but it’s a safe sanity check (Microsoft Defender full scan is fine; a second opinion scan with Malwarebytes is common).

If it’s still freezing

• Consider a clean install (backup first). A clean Windows 11 install often runs noticeably better than an in-place upgrade on older hardware.
• Rollback to Windows 10 if the upgrade was recent and rollback is still available. If the hardware was comfortable on Windows 10, that’s a valid choice.

On your own Windows 10 + Bandizip setup
Using Bandizip on Windows 10 is perfectly reasonable, especially if you like the usability and you’re downloading it from the official site and keeping it updated. For security, the biggest wins are exactly what you’re already doing: official source + timely updates + caution with archives from untrusted sources.

 

[General Patton]

While I personally don't use a third-party program like 7-Zip to decompress my compressed files (since all I need is to extract them) I understand the need for an external program. The built-in compression tool in Windows 11 doesn't support password protection, a feature offered by third-party programs like 7-Zip. Furthermore, 7-Zip provides stronger encryption options, such as AES-256, which are unavailable in the built-in compression tool.

I'm running Windows 10, and I like to use a ZIP file extractor, especially since Windows 10 doesn't handle these files very well.

 

[Bot]

I'm running Windows 10, and I like to use a ZIP file extractor, especially since Windows 10 doesn't handle these files very well.

That’s a reasonable position. Windows 10’s built-in ZIP support works for simple ZIP files, but it can feel limited or unreliable once you get into “real-world” archives.

Where Windows 10’s built-in handling often falls short

• Limited format support: It’s mainly ZIP-centric. 7z, RAR, split archives, and some ZIP variants generally require a third-party tool.
• Weak error handling: Corrupt/partial downloads and edge-case archives often produce vague errors or fail to extract cleanly.
• No easy encryption workflow: Creating password-protected/encrypted archives isn’t something File Explorer offers in a straightforward way.
• Fewer power features: Testing archives, better logging, checksum tools, and more control over compression/encryption options.

Good choices on Windows 10

• 7-Zip: excellent all-around, free, widely used.
• NanaZip: similar to 7-Zip with a more modern Windows integration.
• WinRAR: especially if you need to create RAR archives or want RAR-specific features.

Security basics (most important part)

• Install from the official source (or Microsoft Store where applicable) and keep it updated.
• Be extra careful with self-extracting archives (.exe) and unknown downloads—extract to a folder first, then scan before opening files.

Using a third-party extractor on Windows 10 is common and justified, especially if it reduces day-to-day friction and improves compatibility.

 

[Jonny Quest]

In my case, since I use Windows 10 (my laptop has 8 GB of RAM and can’t handle an upgrade to Windows 11), my neighbor also has a laptop with 8 GB of RAM—it was eligible for the upgrade—so I helped her upgrade it, and now her laptop is running slowly and freezing. Later, I saw here and on other forums that 8 GB of RAM isn’t ideal for Windows 11. I like to use a ZIP file extractor. I use Bandizip, which I download directly from the website. Thanks for your opinion.

So far I've never had any issues with this laptop running Windows 11 with 8GB of RAM. Maybe it's due to it being a Surface 5 Laptop that is more finely tuned for 11, without any Dell or HP bloat? And that I only install about 10-12 necessary IMO apps, and that's it, so there's not a lot going on in the background, or to cause possible issues? What AV is she using, MD?

 

[General Patton]

So far I've never had any issues with this laptop running Windows 11 with 8GB of RAM. Maybe it's due to it being a Surface 5 Laptop that is more finely tuned for 11, without any Dell or HP bloat? And that I only install about 10-12 necessary IMO apps, and that's it, so there's not a lot going on in the background, or to cause possible issues? What AV is she using, MD?

View attachment 298455

View attachment 298456

She has a 2020 Dell with a 5th/8th-generation Intel processor, so she can upgrade to Windows 11 (mine is an Acer with a 7th-generation processor; I couldn't upgrade, but I'm fine with Windows 10). When it came from the store, I installed the free version of Kaspersky for her. After the upgrade to Windows 11, Kaspersky kept crashing. When I reinstalled Windows 11 from a file on her HDD, I left only Windows Defender installed. Well, it improved a little, but it’s still slow and the audio keeps freezing. I uninstalled the audio driver; it was reinstalled, but the problem persists. When she watches a movie, the sound and video freeze. I think she might also have a problem with the video driver, or something like that—or maybe it’s a hardware issue, which I won’t touch because I don’t know anything about hardware. During the Windows 11 reinstallation, the system prompted me to uninstall an incompatible Dell driver. I did that, but the problems persist.

 

[Bot]

She has a 2020 Dell with a 5th/8th-generation Intel processor, so she can upgrade to Windows 11 (mine is an Acer with a 7th-generation processor; I couldn't upgrade, but I'm fine with Windows 10). When it came from the store, I installed the free version of Kaspersky for her. After the upgrade to Windows 11, Kaspersky kept crashing. When I reinstalled Windows 11 from a file on her HDD, I left only Windows Defender installed. Well, it improved a little, but it’s still slow and the audio keeps freezing. I uninstalled the audio driver; it was reinstalled, but the problem persists. When she watches a movie, the sound and video freeze. I think she might also have a problem with the video driver, or something like that—or maybe it’s a hardware issue, which I won’t touch because I don’t know anything about hardware. During the Windows 11 reinstallation, the system prompted me to uninstall an incompatible Dell driver. I did that, but the problems persist.

That pattern (system slow + audio/video stutter/freezes after upgrading to Windows 11) points much more to a driver/firmware or storage bottleneck issue than to “8 GB RAM is unusable.” A Surface device can feel smoother largely because the driver stack/firmware is tightly controlled, while some Dell models need very specific OEM drivers/BIOS updates to behave well on Windows 11.

Most likely causes in your case

• Audio + graphics driver latency/conflict (common after OS upgrades): the system can “freeze” audio/video when a driver blocks the CPU for too long (DPC/ISR latency type issues).
• Wrong driver source: Windows Update drivers sometimes work, sometimes don’t—OEM drivers can be required for stability on certain Dell models.
• Storage bottleneck: if the Dell has a mechanical HDD (not an SSD), Windows 11 can feel sluggish and hitch during playback due to background activity and paging.
• BIOS/firmware + chipset drivers not updated: this can cause all kinds of stutter, power management issues, and device instability.

Low-risk steps (do these first)

• Update Windows fully, then reboot a couple of times until there are no pending updates.
• Use Dell’s official driver/BIOS channel for that exact Service Tag (not generic drivers):
  • Update BIOS/UEFI (important if it’s behind)
  • Install the latest Dell chipset/Intel ME (if applicable)
  • Install Dell-recommended graphics driver (Intel/Intel+NVIDIA depending on the model)
  • Install Dell-recommended audio driver (often Realtek + Dell components)
• Remove “audio enhancements” (can cause glitches): Sound settings -> the playback device -> disable enhancements/spatial effects if enabled.
• Check Task Manager during a freeze: if Disk is pegged at 100% or RAM is near full, it strongly indicates a bottleneck rather than “just Windows 11.”
• Reliability Monitor: Control Panel -> Security and Maintenance -> Reliability Monitor. It often shows driver/app crashes tied to the time of the freezes.

Targeted troubleshooting (still safe)

• Clean boot test to rule out third-party services/startups interfering (Microsoft’s standard “clean boot” procedure). If the problem disappears, you know it’s software/services rather than hardware.
• Try a different media player briefly (VLC is a common test) to rule out a codec/player-specific issue. If all players freeze, it’s more likely driver/system-level.
• Reinstall drivers in the right order (important on OEM systems):
  • Chipset first
  • Then graphics
  • Then audio

If it still freezes after proper Dell drivers + BIOS

• Strongly consider rolling back to Windows 10 for that machine. If the hardware ran fine on Windows 10 and Windows 11 remains unstable after correct OEM drivers, staying on Windows 10 is a practical solution.
• Consider an SSD upgrade (if it currently has an HDD). This is the single biggest real-world performance fix for “slow + freezing” symptoms on many laptops, but if you’re not comfortable with hardware changes, a local technician or Dell support is the right route.
• Hardware diagnostics: Dell has built-in pre-boot diagnostics (ePSA). Running it is safe and can flag drive/RAM issues without “touching hardware” manually.

Security/AV note
Since Kaspersky was crashing post-upgrade, leaving it on Microsoft Defender while you stabilize drivers is a good call. Once the system is stable, you can decide whether to keep Defender or reinstall a third-party AV, but troubleshooting is much easier when you minimize variables.

If you want the cleanest “software-only” next step: install BIOS + chipset + graphics + audio from Dell’s support page for that exact model/service tag, reboot between each, and reassess. If the freezes persist after that, rolling back to Windows 10 or having the storage checked/converted to SSD is the most realistic path forward.