Software update: 7-Zip 3.09.01 beta

Files can be compressed to save disk space or to reduce the data traffic needed to transfer the file. Widely known compression methods include Zip, GZip, ARJ, ACE, RAR and 7z of which the latter is a relatively new method.

7-Zip is the program to be used for compressing and decompressing files using the 7z method. Version 3.09.01beta has just been released and has the following changelog:

• Automatic compression filter for executable files: dll, exe, ocx, sfx, sys, (-mf switch)
• Compression levels in 7z now are:
  • Fast: 32 KB dictionary, BCJ filter
  • Normal: 2 MB dictionary, BCJ filter
  • Maximum: 8 MB dictionary, BCJ filter, max settings
  • Ultra: 32 MB dictionary, BCJ2 filter, max settings
• Updating for solid 7z archives now is supported, if it doesn’t require repacking solid blocks
• -mhcf switch for 7z format now is default
• Some bugs were fixed