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7-Zip

The best free file archiver: opens RAR, ZIP, 7z, tar, gz, bz2, xz, iso, CAB, MSI, and over 30 others; creates .7z with LZMA2 (typically ~10-20% smaller than RAR5 at maximum settings). Right-click menu integration and SHA-256 hashing of contents are built in; Igor Pavlov's codebase has remained tag-frozen per release since 2000.

Category
Archives
Licence
Free and open source
Official site
www.7-zip.org
Last updated
2026-10-17
Download from official siteAll free apps

What it does

7-Zip compresses and extracts archives, and integrates into the Windows right-click menu. It reads a very wide set of formats — .zip, .rar, .tar, .gz, .iso and its own .7z — so for most people it replaces two or three separate tools.

When it helps

Any time you receive a compressed file, are freeing disk space, or need to hand someone a folder in one piece. Creating .7z archives with LZMA2 typically beats ZIP on size, which matters for backups over slow links.

Limitations

The interface has not changed much since Windows 7 and the file manager is basic — people who want a polished dual-pane experience pair it with a different file manager. RAR creation is not supported (RAR is a proprietary format); extraction of RAR is included.

Security and licensing

Open source under the LGPL licence, with a paid optional AES-256 plugin for commercial use. Archive extraction is a common malware vector: treat an unexpected archive from an unknown sender as untrusted no matter which tool opens it, and prefer the built-in Windows Defender scan before opening executables inside.

Alternatives

PeaZip (open source, more interface options) for Windows and Linux; the built-in Windows / macOS archive tools for occasional ZIP-only use; tar and zip on Linux and macOS, which do the job without extra software.

Common questions

How do I extract a RAR file with 7-Zip?

Right-click the .rar file, choose 7-Zip → Extract Here (or Extract To). 7-Zip reads RAR 2/3/4/5 formats out of the box — no extra codec or plugin needed. If extraction fails with a CRC error, the archive is damaged, not misread.

Which is better, 7-Zip or WinRAR?

In a 7-Zip vs WinRAR comparison, 7-Zip wins for extracting archives: it is free and handles the same formats. For creating archives, 7-Zip's .7z typically compresses 10–20% smaller than RAR5 at maximum settings. WinRAR only pulls ahead when you need a recovery record for a damaged archive, or when someone demands a .rar file from you.

Can 7-Zip open password-protected ZIP and RAR files?

Yes — enter the password when prompted. 7-Zip supports AES-256 encryption in .7z and .zip. It cannot recover a forgotten password; nothing can, and any tool claiming otherwise is lying or malicious.

Why can't 7-Zip open some ZIP files?

Almost always a malformed header written by a non-compliant archiver. 7-Zip is strict about the spec; Windows Explorer and some other tools silently ignore the errors. Try extracting with the program that created it, or use 7-Zip's "Open archive" mode to browse what is readable.

Is 7-Zip safe to use in 2026?

Yes. It is open source (LGPL), has no ads, no telemetry, no bundled software, and Igor Pavlov has maintained it for over two decades. The only real risk is the universal one: an archive from an unknown sender may contain a malicious executable — scan before running anything inside.

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