Get Notified when the Software is Updated
7-Zip is an open-source file archiver with a high compression ratio, predominantly for the Microsoft Windows operating system.
It can be used as a command-line tool or with a graphical user interface, integrating with the Windows shell environment.
Compression ratio results depend heavily on the data used for testing. Typically, 7-Zip compresses to the 7z format 30–70% more efficiently than the zip format. Additionally, it compresses to the ZIP format 2–10% more efficiently than most other ZIP-compatible programs.
7-Zip is free software, developed by Igor Pavlov and distributed under the GNU LGPL license. This file archiver is compatible with all Windows operating systems, from Windows NT to Windows 10 (both 32-bit and 64-bit).
7-Zip main features:
- High compression ratio in the new 7z format with LZMA compression and LZMA2 compression
- For ZIP and GZIP formats, the provided compression ratio is 2-10 % better than the ratio provided by PKZip and WinZip
- Strong AES-256 encryption in 7z and ZIP formats
- Self-extracting capability for 7z format
- Integration with Windows Shell
- Powerful File Manager
- Powerful command-line version
- Plugin for FAR Manager
- Localizations for 87 languages
- Supported formats:
- Packing / unpacking: 7z, XZ, BZIP2, GZIP, TAR, ZIP and WIM
- Unpacking only: AR, ARJ, CAB, CHM, CPIO, CramFS, DMG, EXT, FAT, GPT, HFS, IHEX, ISO, LZH, LZMA, MBR, MSI, NSIS, NTFS, QCOW2, RAR, RPM, SquashFS, UDF, UEFI, VDI, VHD, VMDK, WIM, XAR, and Z.
7-Zip – Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✓ Delivers a high compression ratio with the 7z format using LZMA and LZMA2 compression. | ✗ The 7z format generally offers better compression than ZIP, but recipients may need compatible archiving software to open 7z files. |
| ✓ Supports strong AES-256 encryption for both 7z and ZIP archives. | ✗ Many formats are supported for unpacking only, meaning 7-Zip cannot create new archives in every format it can extract. |
| ✓ Handles a wide range of archive formats, including 7z, ZIP, TAR, GZIP, ISO, RAR, WIM, and many others. | ✗ Its extensive archive-format support and command-line capabilities can be more than necessary for users who only perform basic ZIP extraction and compression. |
| ✓ Provides both a graphical file manager and a powerful command-line version, giving users flexibility for manual and automated workflows. | ✗ The provided Windows compatibility information does not list Linux or macOS support, limiting the documented platform coverage. |
| ✓ Integrates with the Windows Shell and supports self-extracting 7z archives, making common archive operations more convenient. | ✗ Compression efficiency varies significantly depending on the type of data being archived, so the maximum compression advantage is not guaranteed for every file set. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 7-Zip safe to use?
Yes. It is open-source software, and the latest release listed in the article includes fixes for bugs and security vulnerabilities, including an issue involving Mark-of-the-Web handling when extracting a crafted archive. Keeping the software updated is important for receiving these security fixes.
Can 7-Zip create split archives?
Yes. It can split an archive into multiple smaller parts, which can be useful when a large archive needs to be stored or transferred in separate pieces. The resulting parts must be kept together to extract the complete archive.
Can 7-Zip open files created by WinZip?
Yes. It can unpack ZIP archives and other formats commonly handled by WinZip. It can also create ZIP archives, making it possible to exchange compressed files between the two applications.
Is 7-Zip better than WinZip?
For users who want a free, open-source archiver with high 7z compression and extensive format support, 7-Zip can be a better fit. WinZip offers a different feature set and broader commercial packaging, so the better choice depends on whether you prioritize open-source archiving and compression or WinZip’s additional tools.
What’s New in 7-Zip 26.03:
Release Date 2026-09-04
- Improved support for Joliet ISO images and Compound archives.
- Some bugs and vulnerabilities were fixed.
- CVE-2026-58052: The app failed to preserve the Mark-of-the-Web when extracting a crafted archive.
Official Homepage – https://www.7-zip.org
Supported Operating Systems:
- Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10, 11 (32-bit, 64-bit).
- Windows Server 2003, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2019.
