7zip for Windows 7

By Sranshaft
in Software created by our members

 Share

Recommended Posts

Rising Star

Sranshaft

Posted
  • Author
Posted

To give a practical example...I often test some Windows themes (the ones that require you to patch UxTheme).

They always are archives, so I open them in 7zip press Alt+1 in one pane to go to the Themes folder, and then drag'n'drop the theme from the archives in the Themes folder.

It's way faster than opening an Explorer window, going to C:\Windows\Resources\Themes, opening the zip, and moving the files. ;)

Ah, well I guess that is a good example as it's using one program window instead of two (7zip and Explorer). I try various themes myself but I usually just open them in 7zip Scenic, use the 1-click unzip which automatically open the folder in Explorer and open another tab (QTabbar) right to the Themes folder (I added it to my favorites list in Explorer) and drop it there. I'll add it to the list of possible features and see how it goes.

Awesome job, OP! The only question I have about it is whether or not it is better than WinRAR. At the moment I don't see a need for a second compression program even if it is better looking, but if people deem it better than WinRAR then I'll be tempted by it!

Thanks a lot! If you create a lot of .rar files then I would stick with WinRar. While the 7zip format compresses to a smaller file size, as does the zip format using 7zip's engine, the engine cannot create WinRar files. So the only real benefit over this and WinRar is the ability to create said .rar archives. Though you shouldn't have any problem opening the rar files with this.

Some other benefits of this compared to WinRar are the ability to create / open eComic formats (.cbr and .cbz) without having to rename the extension, 1-Click unzipping (a feature borrowed from WinZip as I really enjoyed that feature) and no more Nag window - remember WinRar is trialware not freeware.

I try to incorporate as much of the 'good' features in WinRar and Winzip as I can. I just noticed that WinRar has released a new version. I'll be looking at that to see if there are any features that will help make 7zip Scenic an easier program. And as always, if there are any features you'd like to see personally please feel free to request them. If they are feasible and something I think will help make 7zip Scenic better I'll definitely consider them.

Mentor

Paul Ferson Veteran

Posted
  • Veteran
Posted

Thank you for the unbiased response, Sranshaft! The main advantage for me would be that I could extract .RAR files, but if 7Zip doesn't support it, that's a bit of a shame. I doubt it would be possible to 'Frankenstein' it with 7Zip, but even so I really appreciate the quick response.

Rising Star

Sranshaft

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thank you for the unbiased response, Sranshaft! The main advantage for me would be that I could extract .RAR files, but if 7Zip doesn't support it, that's a bit of a shame. I doubt it would be possible to 'Frankenstein' it with 7Zip, but even so I really appreciate the quick response.

On the contrary, 7zip CAN extract .rar files. The only limitation is that it can't compress to a .rar format. I have been looking into including Unrar for rar compression but looking at the file size advantages of using 7z format I was swayed. This is of course personal opinion and YMMV.

  • Paul Ferson, T M H and Julius Caro
  • Like 3
Proficient

Anthonyd

Posted
Posted

Because that is what it was built on and what is needed for some of the taskbar features: Jumplists, progress display in the taskbar, etc.

So they finally added a native way for those feature?

I used to build my appz with "Windows API Code Pack", are you telling me that this is finally native? If so gimme a linnnnnnnk!

Rising Star

Sranshaft

Posted
  • Author
Posted

So they finally added a native way for those feature?

I used to build my appz with "Windows API Code Pack", are you telling me that this is finally native? If so gimme a linnnnnnnk!

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.shell.jumplist.aspx#Y3700

You need to add PresentationFramework to your references.

I'm still using the Windows API Code Pack for this but will be merging the 'native' 4.0 branch as soon as I'm finished with.

Mentor

Paul Ferson Veteran

Posted
  • Veteran
Posted

On the contrary, 7zip CAN extract .rar files. The only limitation is that it can't compress to a .rar format. I have been looking into including Unrar for rar compression but looking at the file size advantages of using 7z format I was swayed. This is of course personal opinion and YMMV.

That's great news then! It didn't 'click' with me that creating and extracting are two different things at the time. I know, I know, I'm an idiot. :p

I'll give it a go though and see how I like it. The one problem I had with WinRAR was that the interface never really felt interesting. While a compression program doesn't really need to feel or look interesting it's definitely in its favor at the same time if it can do so.

Rising Star

Sranshaft

Posted
  • Author
Posted

That's great news then! It didn't 'click' with me that creating and extracting are two different things at the time. I know, I know, I'm an idiot. :p

I'll give it a go though and see how I like it. The one problem I had with WinRAR was that the interface never really felt interesting. While a compression program doesn't really need to feel or look interesting it's definitely in its favor at the same time if it can do so.

Not a problem. I'd be interested in your impressions coming from WinRar. What needs to be improved. What you would like to see from WinRar incorporated into 7zip Scenic. That kind of stuff.

Rising Star

Sranshaft

Posted
  • Author
Posted

this app is great! just add explorer context menus and a nice popup display with taskbar progress and its set.

I'm looking into adding context menus for Explorer and hopefully that'll be available in the next major release. Can clarify what you mean by 'a nice popup display' please? Thank you for your compliment and I'm glad you like the program.

Grand Master

User6060

Posted
Posted

I'm looking into adding context menus for Explorer and hopefully that'll be available in the next major release. Can clarify what you mean by 'a nice popup display' please? Thank you for your compliment and I'm glad you like the program.

your program is tooo good an idea! cheers!

this is what i was trying to say before:

using the official 7zip, when you right click a file or group of files you can access the context menu to add the files to a .7z or .zip archive...this does not open the filemanager but instead brings up a smaller dialogue box with a progress bar, speed, size, etc

could you include this type of support from the explorer context menu but just as pretty and native win7 looking

post-63880-0-54534900-1301981562.png

ideally this separate window would support taskbar progress indicators like these:

Windows-7-Taskbar-Progress-Bar-2.png

Rising Star

Sranshaft

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Exactly what I thought when I hovered over the link - why not link to the actual site

What actual site? I am hosting via my Dropbox because it's easy to distribute my free program. The installer you download from there would be the same exact installer you would download if I hosted it on a website. If I was making money with this, I would surely go to the trouble of putting together a website but I'm not. I hope this explanation is satisfactory.

Are you using Fluent Ribbon for this?

No, I'm using the Ribbon control created by Devexpress. I first looked at the Fluent Ribbon but didn't like that it was locked to WPF. I've just found the component offered by Devexpress to be the easiest to develop with.

your program is tooo good an idea! cheers!

this is what i was trying to say before:

using the official 7zip, when you right click a file or group of files you can access the context menu to add the files to a .7z or .zip archive...this does not open the filemanager but instead brings up a smaller dialogue box with a progress bar, speed, size, etc

could you include this type of support from the explorer context menu but just as pretty and native win7 looking

Ah, sure. Once I get the context menu for Explorer sorted I'll definitely be using some stripped down dialog for the progress. In fact, most of that is already there. I hope to get that working as soon as possible and will hopefully be pushing an update this weekend.

Mentor

Paul Ferson Veteran

Posted
  • Veteran
Posted

Not a problem. I'd be interested in your impressions coming from WinRar. What needs to be improved. What you would like to see from WinRar incorporated into 7zip Scenic. That kind of stuff.

Well, in the short period of time I used 7zip Scenic, I liked it for a lot of different reasons. The interface, as you'd expect, was one of the main appeals of the program for me. It worked perfectly with what I needed. The interface puts all the main options at your fingertips, but never in a manner that leaves you uncertain what each option offers. Furthermore, the manner in which it handled content for me was one I found very positive: it's extremely useful for compressing documents and 'archiving' them, if that makes sense. It might seem like a random way to use the software, but I suppose that can only give a better overall idea of how well it handles!

Rising Star

Sranshaft

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Well, in the short period of time I used 7zip Scenic, I liked it for a lot of different reasons. The interface, as you'd expect, was one of the main appeals of the program for me. It worked perfectly with what I needed. The interface puts all the main options at your fingertips, but never in a manner that leaves you uncertain what each option offers. Furthermore, the manner in which it handled content for me was one I found very positive: it's extremely useful for compressing documents and 'archiving' them, if that makes sense. It might seem like a random way to use the software, but I suppose that can only give a better overall idea of how well it handles!

Thank you very much for your comments and I'm extremely happy you had such a positive experience with it.

is this a visual bug or by design?

can you make it so it matches the menu positioning of all other scenic ribbon apps

Unfortunately I don't have any control over that.

This topic is now closed to further replies.
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Posts

    • Major Xbox layoffs may claim South of Midnight developer Compulsion entirely

      By Abercrombe · Posted

      I agree. I also think Phil stayed too long. They should definitely fire whoever thought all a console platform needed was Call of Duty, Elder Scrolls, and Fallout to survive. Asha and crew are still saying they need more Elder Scrolls and Fallout games. They simply don't get it.
    • Samsung is shutting down yet another app used by millions

      By Krieg · Posted

      wtf cares
    • Microsoft announces 12th-gen Surface Pro with Snapdragon X2 processors

      By tsupersonic · Posted

      Macbook Air is an appealing option, as are plethora of Windows devices with various different CPU's
    • Mozilla highlights Firefox Nova 2026 redesign and more upcoming features with new roadmap

      By hellowalkman · Posted

      Mozilla highlights Firefox Nova 2026 redesign and more upcoming features with new roadmap by Sayan Sen Last month Mozilla confirmed that Firefox was set to get a major redesign this year. Dubbed "Project Nova", it can already be tested and will roll out to all users later this year.The idea is to keep the browser competitive in a rapidly evolving internet landscape. As such the revamp focuses on improving privacy, usability, performance, accessibility, and customization. Key privacy features including the built-in VPN, private browsing mode, and Enhanced Tracking Protection, will be more visible and easier to manage, while users will have the option to disable AI features entirely through a dedicated kill switch. Additionally, the redesign promises faster page loading, the return of Compact mode, expanded personalization options, and stronger accessibility support. You can find the full details in the dedicated piece linked above. In a new blog post today the company once again reiterated on Nova and also emphasized other new and upcoming features like the settings revamp that is intended to make it easier for users to understand browser settings. In order to make it simpler for users to keep up with such features Mozilla today is launching Firefox roadmap. Hence enthusiasts and interested users will be able to check out what's cooking and also share feedback about the upcoming additions. Alongside the roadmap announcement, Mozilla also highlighted what's new in Firefox 152. One of the biggest additions is the arrival of Tab Groups on Android. The feature, which has already been helping desktop users organize large numbers of tabs, is now beginning to roll out on mobile. Users will be able to group related tabs together, assign names and colors to them, and return to them later. Mozilla says support for iOS will arrive later this year. Firefox 152 also introduces the aforementioned redesigned Settings experience. The company says the changes are meant to make controls easier to find and help users discover features they may not have previously known about. Existing preferences are not changing, though they are now better organized. Another notable addition is the new Blocked Tracker Widget, which provides a visual overview of Firefox's privacy protections by showing how many trackers have been blocked over time and the types of tracking activity the browser has stopped. Looking ahead, Mozilla revealed several upcoming roadmap features. They include customizable keyboard shortcuts, as well as enhanced PDF editing tools that will allow documents to be split, merged, and reorganized directly within Firefox. The company is also working on bringing Multi-Account Containers into the native Firefox experience thus removing the need for a separate extension. Meanwhile Firefox's built-in VPN is set to expand to mobile devices. Mozilla is also developing AI-powered features like Quick Answers, which can provide concise responses to voice queries, and Smart Window, its optional AI browsing experience that is now available without a waitlist. Finally, a new Power Saving Mode is in the works and will help reduce the impact of resource-heavy tabs on mobile devices in order to extend battery life. The video below summarizes the upcoming changes in an easy to understand format: You can find the announcement blog post here on Mozilla's official website.
    • Microsoft unveils new Surface Laptop with improved trackpad, Snapdragon X2, and more

      By tsupersonic · Posted

      Dead on arrival at that price. Like they missed the mark by multiple hundreds of dollars - this should actually undercut the Macbook Air at $899 if they want any sort of sales / further adoption of WoA

  • Recent Achievements

    • One Year In
      Console General earned a badge
      One Year In
    • One Year In
      Twozo Technologies earned a badge
      One Year In
    • One Month Later
      Twozo Technologies earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • Week One Done
      Twozo Technologies earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • Veteran
      branfont went up a rank
      Veteran

  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      511
    2. 2
      +Edouard
      199
    3. 3
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      109
    4. 4
      Steven P.
      89
    5. 5
      Nick H.
      71
    Show More

  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!