August 13, 2025

Windows 11 version 24H2 finally brings enhanced native support for multiple archive formats—including ZIP, 7z, and TAR—directly in File Explorer. Powered by the open-source libarchive library, this upgrade reduces the need for third-party tools for everyday compression and extraction.

However, while this is a welcome improvement for casual use, Windows’ built-in tools still lack the speed, features, and flexibility of dedicated archiving software like 7-Zip or PeaZip.

The Convenience of Built-in Support

The new compression wizard in Windows 11 24H2 makes everyday archiving easier. Users can now:

• Create Archives: Directly generate ZIP, 7z, or TAR files from File Explorer
• Customize Compression: Choose compression method and level without leaving Explorer
• Extract Seamlessly: Right-click to unpack supported archive formats—including ZIP, RAR*, 7z, and TAR—without installing additional tools

With cross-platform formats like 7z and TAR supported, sharing files between different operating systems is now simpler.

*Windows 11 can extract RAR files but cannot create them. RAR remains a proprietary format.

The Limitations That Linger

Despite the upgrade, the native tools in Windows 11 still fall short for power users:

• No Password Protection or Encryption – No way to secure sensitive files.
• No Multi-Volume Archives – Can’t split large archives into smaller parts
• No Advanced Features – Missing archive repair, integrity checks, and automation tools
• Limited Format Creation – Only ZIP, 7z, and TAR can be created; no RAR, ISO, or other less common formats.

For professionals, IT admins, or anyone dealing with large, secure, or complex archives, these limitations mean third-party tools remain essential.

The Indispensable Value of Free Alternatives

If you need more than basic archiving, free tools like 7-Zip and PeaZip still outshine Windows’ built-in features:

• 7-Zip: Open-source file archiver with a high compression ratio, wide format support, and strong AES-256 encryption.





Website: www.7-zip.org



• PeaZip: Open-source utility supporting 200+ archive formats, with encryption, secure file deletion, and split archive features.





Website: peazip.github.io

Both are lightweight, actively updated, and far more capable than Windows’ native solution.

Quick Benchmark Comparison

To evaluate real-world performance, we tested compression and extraction speeds on a Core i5-8500 system running Windows 11 Pro 24H2. The test involved compressing a folder containing 800 PNG image files, totaling 3.29 GB, and then extracting the resulting archive back to disk.

Tool	Compression Time	Extraction Time
Windows 11 (ZIP)	01:28.03	37.22
7-Zip 25.01	30.98	15.55
PeaZip 10.6.0	20.62	16.74

As shown, third-party tools like PeaZip and 7-Zip significantly outperform Windows' native ZIP handler in both compression and extraction speed. This reinforces the idea that while built-in support is convenient, it may not be the best choice for large or time-sensitive tasks.

Final Verdict

The native archive support in Windows 11 24H2 is a meaningful step forward, especially for quick, everyday tasks. By integrating libarchive, Microsoft has made it easier for casual users to manage common archive formats without extra software.

But for security, speed, and advanced functionality, Windows’ built-in tools still can’t replace mature solutions like 7-Zip or PeaZip.

Bottom line: Use the native tool for convenience, but keep a dedicated archiver installed for anything important or demanding.