How To Install PeaZip on openSUSE

PeaZip stands as one of the most versatile file archiving utilities available for Linux distributions, including openSUSE. This powerful, open-source application offers robust compression capabilities, strong encryption options, and support for over 200 archive formats. Whether you’re an experienced system administrator or a casual openSUSE user, PeaZip provides efficient file management solutions that enhance your productivity and security when handling archives.

Understanding PeaZip and Its Capabilities

PeaZip is a free, LGPL-licensed cross-platform archive manager that offers a comprehensive set of features for handling compressed files. Developed as an alternative to commercial tools like WinRAR and WinZip, PeaZip delivers similar functionality with the benefits of open-source software.

The application excels in both creating and extracting archives in numerous formats. For creation, PeaZip supports 7Z, ARC, BZip, GZip, PAQ, PEA, TAR, WIM, XZ, ZIP, and ZST formats. Its extraction capabilities extend much further, handling over 200 formats including popular ones like 7Z, RAR, ZIP, and ACE.

Key Features of PeaZip:

• High compression ratios, particularly when using formats like 7Z and PAQ
• Multiple encryption methods including AES and Blowfish for securing sensitive data
• File browsing capabilities with a consistent interface across desktop environments
• Advanced functionality including secure file deletion, duplicate finding, and file splitting
• Cross-platform compatibility, ensuring a consistent experience across different operating systems

PeaZip’s native PEA format offers particularly strong encryption and compression, making it ideal for users who prioritize security. The application’s lightweight design ensures it runs efficiently on openSUSE without excessive resource consumption.

Prerequisites for Installing PeaZip on openSUSE

Before proceeding with PeaZip installation, ensure your openSUSE system meets the necessary requirements and is properly prepared:

System Requirements:

• openSUSE Leap (15.0, 15.1, or newer) or Tumbleweed
• x86_64 (64-bit) architecture
• Approximately 50MB of disk space
• Root or sudo privileges for system-wide installation

Preliminary Steps:

1. Update your system to ensure all packages are current:

   sudo zypper update

2. Verify your openSUSE version to determine the appropriate installation method:

   cat /etc/os-release

3. Install basic development tools if not already present:

   sudo zypper install -t pattern devel_basis

4. Consider backing up important data before installing new software, especially if you plan to change default archive handlers.

With these prerequisites in place, you’re ready to install PeaZip using one of several methods available for openSUSE users.

Installation Method 1: Using Official Repositories

The simplest way to install PeaZip on openSUSE is through the official repositories. This approach ensures you receive a version that’s been tested with your specific openSUSE release.

Step 1: Check for PeaZip in standard repositories

First, verify if PeaZip is available in your current repositories:

zypper search peazip

Step 2: Install using YaST Software Manager

If you prefer a graphical interface:

1. Open YaST Software Manager (accessible through the main menu or by typing yast2 sw_single in terminal)
2. Search for “peazip” in the search box
3. Mark the package for installation
4. Click “Accept” to proceed with installation

Step 3: Command-line installation with zypper

Alternatively, you can install PeaZip using the command line:

sudo zypper install peazip

Step 4: Verify successful installation

After installation completes, verify PeaZip is working correctly:

peazip --version

Troubleshooting Repository Issues:

If PeaZip isn’t available in your repositories or you encounter errors:

• Ensure your repository metadata is up-to-date: sudo zypper refresh
• Check for repository conflicts: sudo zypper verify
• If the package isn’t found, proceed to installation Method 2 using OBS repositories

Installation Method 2: Using OBS Repositories

The Open Build Service (OBS) provides additional repositories for openSUSE that may contain more recent versions of PeaZip. This method is particularly useful if you’re running a newer version of openSUSE or want the latest features.

Understanding OBS Repositories:

OBS repositories are maintained by the openSUSE community and package maintainers, offering software that might not be available in the standard repositories. For PeaZip, several repositories might be available depending on your openSUSE version.

Step 1: Add the appropriate OBS repository

For openSUSE Leap 15.0:

sudo zypper addrepo https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/openSUSE:Leap:15.0/standard/openSUSE:Leap:15.0.repo
sudo zypper refresh

For openSUSE Leap 15.1:

sudo zypper addrepo https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/openSUSE:Leap:15.1/standard/openSUSE:Leap:15.1.repo
sudo zypper refresh

For openSUSE Factory/Tumbleweed:

sudo zypper addrepo https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/openSUSE:Factory/standard/openSUSE:Factory.repo
sudo zypper refresh

Step 2: Install PeaZip from the added repository

sudo zypper install peazip

Step 3: Handle dependencies

OBS packages might have different dependency requirements. If zypper indicates missing dependencies, install them as prompted:

sudo zypper install [dependency-name]

Troubleshooting OBS Installation Issues:

• If you encounter repository signing key issues, accept the key when prompted or manually import it
• For dependency conflicts, consider using --force carefully: sudo zypper install --force peazip
• If multiple versions are available, specify the repository: sudo zypper install --from [repository-name] peazip

Installation Method 3: Manual RPM Installation

If you prefer to download and install the RPM package directly, this method provides more control over the exact version installed.

Step 1: Download the correct RPM package

Visit the PeaZip download page or use the openSUSE Software portal to download the appropriate RPM package for your system. You can also download directly from the command line:

wget [RPM-package-URL]

Step 2: Verify package integrity

Before installing, verify the package integrity:

rpm -K peazip*.rpm

Step 3: Install the RPM package

Install the downloaded package:

sudo rpm -i peazip*.rpm

If dependencies are missing, rpm will report errors. You can use zypper to install the package with automatic dependency resolution:

sudo zypper install ./peazip*.rpm

Step 4: Verify installation

Confirm the installation completed successfully:

rpm -q peazip
peazip --version

Resolving Dependencies Manually:

If you encounter dependency issues, identify the missing packages:

rpm -qpR peazip*.rpm

Then install them using zypper:

sudo zypper install [dependency-name]

After installing dependencies, retry the PeaZip installation.

Installation Method 4: Using Portable Version

The portable version of PeaZip offers flexibility for users who prefer not to modify their system or need to use PeaZip without administrator privileges.

Benefits of the Portable Installation:

• No system modification required
• Can be used without administrator privileges
• Easy to move between different computers
• Multiple versions can coexist on the same system
• Simple to remove without leaving traces in the system

Step 1: Download the portable package

Download the Linux portable version (TAR.GZ format) from the PeaZip website.

Step 2: Extract the portable package

tar -xzvf peazip_portable-*.tar.gz

This will create a directory containing all PeaZip files.

Step 3: Run the portable version

Navigate to the extracted directory and run PeaZip:

cd peazip_portable
./peazip

Step 4: Create desktop shortcuts (optional)

To create a desktop shortcut for easier access:

1. Create a new .desktop file in ~/.local/share/applications:

   nano ~/.local/share/applications/peazip-portable.desktop

2. Add the following content (adjust paths as needed):

   [Desktop Entry]
   Type=Application
   Name=PeaZip Portable
   Comment=Archive manager and file compressor
   Exec=/full/path/to/peazip_portable/peazip %F
   Icon=/full/path/to/peazip_portable/res/share/icons/peazip.png
   Categories=Utility;Archiving;
   Terminal=false

3. Make the file executable:

   chmod +x ~/.local/share/applications/peazip-portable.desktop

Limitations of the Portable Version:

• File associations must be configured manually
• Desktop integration requires additional setup
• Some distribution-specific features may not work out of the box
• Updates must be performed manually by downloading new versions

Post-Installation Configuration

After installing PeaZip, configure it to suit your workflow and preferences:

First-Run Setup:

1. Launch PeaZip from the application menu or by typing peazip in terminal
2. During first run, you’ll be prompted to configure basic settings
3. Set your preferred language and interface theme
4. Configure temporary file location (default is system temp directory)

Configuring File Associations:

To make PeaZip the default application for archive files:

1. Open YaST Control Center
2. Select “File Associations”
3. Find the archive formats (like ZIP, RAR)
4. Add or change the default application to PeaZip

Alternatively, right-click an archive file, select “Open With” → “Other Application”, choose PeaZip, and select “Remember application association”.

Integration with openSUSE File Managers:

PeaZip integrates with common file managers like Dolphin and Nautilus:

1. Right-click in file manager → context menu should show PeaZip options
2. If integration isn’t automatic, check PeaZip’s settings under “Integration”

Setting Default Compression Options:

1. In PeaZip, go to “Settings” → “Default compression settings”
2. Configure preferred format, compression level, and encryption methods
3. Set default output location for new archives
4. Configure split size settings for large archives

UI Customization Options:

PeaZip offers extensive UI customization:

1. Access “Settings” → “Layout and theme settings”
2. Adjust icon size, font settings, and display options
3. Choose between classic or modern interface styles
4. Configure toolbar visibility and button arrangement

Basic Usage Tutorial

Once installed, PeaZip offers intuitive functionality for managing archives. Here’s how to perform common tasks:

Creating New Archives:

1. Launch PeaZip and click “Create” or press Alt+1
2. Select files/folders to include in the archive
3. Choose archive format (ZIP, 7Z, etc.) from the dropdown menu
4. Set compression level (Store, Fast, Normal, Maximum)
5. Optionally enable encryption and set password
6. Click “OK” to create the archive

Alternatively, select files in your file manager, right-click, and choose the PeaZip compression option.

Extracting Files from Archives:

1. Open the archive in PeaZip by double-clicking or using “Open”
2. Select files to extract or extract all
3. Click “Extract” or press Alt+2
4. Choose destination folder
5. Set extraction options (overwrite behavior, path recreation)
6. Click “OK” to extract

Browsing Archive Contents:

PeaZip provides a file manager-like interface for browsing archives:

1. Open the archive in PeaZip
2. Navigate through folders within the archive
3. Preview files (when supported) by selecting them
4. Sort and filter contents using column headers
5. Search for specific files using the search function

Working with Encrypted Archives:

1. When opening an encrypted archive, enter the password when prompted
2. For creating encrypted archives, select an encryption method when creating
3. Use strong passwords and consider AES-256 encryption for sensitive data
4. Remember that encryption strength varies by archive format (7Z and PEA offer stronger options)

Adding Files to Existing Archives:

1. Open the existing archive in PeaZip
2. Click “Add” or press Alt+A
3. Select files to add to the archive
4. Configure compression options if needed
5. Click “OK” to update the archive

Advanced Features

PeaZip offers advanced capabilities beyond basic archiving tasks:

Compression Settings for Optimal Results:

• Use 7Z format with LZMA2 for best compression ratio
• For maximum speed with good compression, try ZIP with Deflate
• For archiving without compression, use TAR format
• Volume splitting for large archives works well with 7Z format
• Customize dictionary size and word size for specialized needs

Using Encryption Features:

PeaZip supports multiple encryption methods:

• AES-256 (recommended for sensitive data)
• ZipCrypto (compatible with standard ZIP tools)
• Blowfish (alternative strong algorithm)

Encrypt file names in 7Z format for additional security by selecting the appropriate option when creating archives.

Batch Operations and Scripting:

1. Select multiple archives for simultaneous extraction
2. Use PeaZip’s “Convert” functionality to batch convert between formats
3. Create script files from the GUI for automation
4. Schedule compression tasks using created scripts and cron jobs

File Comparison and Duplicate Finding:

1. Use “Tools” → “Find duplicates” to locate duplicate files
2. Compare files by hash values (CRC32, MD5, SHA1, etc.)
3. Export duplicate reports for further analysis

Secure File Deletion:

PeaZip includes secure deletion tools:

1. Select files to securely delete
2. Choose “Tools” → “Secure delete”
3. Select wiping method (DoD, Gutmann, etc.)
4. Confirm deletion (this process is irreversible)

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with careful installation, you might encounter issues with PeaZip on openSUSE. Here are solutions for common problems:

Missing Dependencies Resolution:

If you encounter GTK warnings or missing dependencies:

1. Run PeaZip from terminal to identify specific errors
2. Install missing libraries: sudo zypper install libgtk-2_0-0 libgtk-3-0
3. For additional formats support, install the Additional Formats Plugin

Interface or Display Problems:

For GTK warnings or display issues:

1. Try switching between UI themes in Settings
2. Ensure system themes are properly installed
3. Run peazip --gtk2 to force GTK2 mode if available

Format Compatibility Issues:

If certain archive formats aren’t working:

1. Check if additional plugins are needed (particularly for RAR and proprietary formats)
2. Install p7zip-full package: sudo zypper install p7zip-full
3. Verify file permissions on archive files

Performance Optimization:

To improve PeaZip performance:

1. Adjust temporary folder location to a fast drive
2. Modify memory usage settings in advanced configuration
3. Limit concurrent operations for stability on limited hardware

Solutions for Typical Error Messages:

For common errors like “Couldn’t satisfy dependency 7zip”:

1. Try installing p7zip directly: sudo zypper install p7zip
2. If package conflicts occur, try sudo zypper install --force-resolution p7zip
3. Consider the portable version to avoid dependency issues

Updating PeaZip

Keeping PeaZip updated ensures you have the latest features and security fixes:

Checking for Updates:

If installed via repositories:

sudo zypper refresh
sudo zypper update peazip

For manually installed RPM packages, check the PeaZip website for new versions.

For portable installations, download the latest portable package and replace your current installation.

Handling Version Conflicts:

If you encounter conflicts during updates:

1. Consider removing the old version first: sudo zypper remove peazip
2. Clean package cache: sudo zypper clean
3. Install the new version fresh

Update Frequency Considerations:

• Repository versions typically update alongside system updates
• OBS repositories may offer more frequent updates
• Major version upgrades may require manual intervention
• Consider enabling automatic updates through YaST if appropriate

Uninstalling PeaZip

If you need to remove PeaZip from your openSUSE system:

For Repository Installations:

sudo zypper remove peazip

For Manual RPM Installations:

sudo rpm -e peazip

For Portable Installations:

Simply delete the PeaZip directory.

Removing Configurations and Preferences:

To completely remove all traces of PeaZip:

1. Delete configuration files: rm -rf ~/.config/peazip
2. Remove desktop integration files: rm ~/.local/share/applications/peazip*.desktop
3. Check for remaining files: find ~ -name "*peazip*"

Restoring Default File Associations:

After uninstalling, restore file associations using YaST:

1. Open YaST Control Center
2. Select “File Associations”
3. Find archive formats and set to your preferred alternative application

Congratulations! You have successfully installed PeaZip. Thanks for using this tutorial for installing the PeaZip file archiver utility on openSUSE Linux system. For additional help or useful information, we recommend you check the official PeaZip website.