How to Use 7-Zip to Unzip and Zip Files for Free

Whether you’re learning how to mod a video game or need to compress a video before you email it, you need to know how to zip and unzip files. The easiest way to learn is through 7-Zip. This software is fast, effective and free. 

What Is 7-Zip?

7-Zip is a free, open-source file archiver with a high compression ratio. In layman’s terms, that means it lets you compress or extract a wide variety of file formats. You can place groups of files in compressed containers called “archives” or move files from a zipped folder to a normal one. 

This software is popular — it has been downloaded over 430 million times to date — because it is completely free. You don’t even need to register an account to use it. Installation is quick, and there’s no bloat. 

This file archiver supports the packing and unpacking of 7z, ZIP, XZ, GZIP, TAR, WIM and BZIP2 file formats. The others — which include RAR, VHD, UEFI, GPT, XAR, NTFS, ISO, EXT, CAB, VHDX and UDF — only support unpacking. 

With a tool like this, you can significantly decrease file size without using a third-party sharing tool or splitting the files. You can also view information like type, location, size, date accessed, version history and owner. 

Installing 7-Zip

You can get this software from the official website. Ensure the URL is https://www.7-zip.org because phishing websites may pose as the genuine download page. The real deal is usually the top result on Google, but it’s better to be safe than sorry regarding cybersecurity. 

The website looks outdated and bare, which might make it seem sketchy. However, 7-Zip is safe. This has been the official website since the developer released this software in 1999. Trust me, I’ve downloaded it myself. 

The home page has download options for Windows x64, Windows x86 and Windows Arm64. If you don’t know what these mean, you probably have Windows x64. If you want to be sure, you can check. 

Go to Settings > System > About. Under Device specifications, you will see System type. If it says “64-bit operating system, x64-based processor,” you have Windows x64. 

You can still download this software if you are a macOS or Linux user. Click on the Download tab on the left-hand side of the screen. Here, you can find the download version for your operating system. Select the latest version available and an .exe installer, if you can.

How to Compress Files With 7-Zip

When you open this software, you are essentially greeted with File Explorer — that’s Finder for you macOS users — which you can use to view, edit, rename, copy, move and delete files. Navigate like you normally would, using the open folder with the green arrow to go back. 

Of course, you can also compress a group of files by creating a ZIP file. It will take up less storage space and transfer faster, freeing up your hard drive and improving collaboration. Right-click on any file, hover over 7-Zip and select Add to archive. 

Alternatively, you can select the file and click the green Add button. Change compression level, format and compression method in the pop-up window. You can even set up AES-256 encryption, ensuring only the person with the password can extract the files. Hit OK to finish.

How to Unpack Files With 7-Zip

Occasionally, you may need to extract files to make them usable. This is a normal part of downloading mods, games or emulators. 

Right-click the file you want to unzip. Click Extract here. The software will extract the files to the same directory as the original archive file. If you select Extract files… you can choose where to extract, which is helpful if you’re downloading mods that need to be in a specific place. 

Frequently Asked Questions About 7-Zip

Even though you know how to use this file archiver now, you may still have some lingering questions. Don’t worry — we’re here to help. 

Is 7-Zip Safe to Download and Use?

It’s understandable if you’re concerned about safety. I Googled this question myself when I first downloaded it. The short answer is yes, 7-Zip is safe. It is open source, so you can check the source code to be sure. 

Where Can You Download 7-Zip?

You can download this software on Windows, macOS and Linux operating systems. You still have options if the official site is blocked in your region. The developer uses SourceForge and GitHub as the other official download sources.

Is 7-Zip Free for Commercial Use?

You can use this software on any computer, including those in your office. This software is protected by the GNU LGPL license, which lets you legally copy and distribute the software. 

How to Fix the “Access Is Denied” Issue

You might get an “Access is Denied” pop-up when opening a folder or accessing a file. Check your file permissions to see if you can’t get to the bottom of the problem. Right-click the archive. Go to Properties > Security > Permissions to see whether you have full control. 

If you are on Windows 10 or 11 and have controlled folder access enabled in Windows Defender, ensure you whitelist the 7-Zip executable.

Open Windows Security. Navigate through Virus & threat protection > Manage ransomware protection to get to Controlled folder access. Here, you can whitelist your file archiver. This should resolve the “access is denied” error.

Explore Your File Archiver 

Getting used to this software might take some time, especially since we only covered the basic functions. Advanced features like command-line operations are complex. Learning more might be helpful Even if you only use the basic compression and extraction functions.