How To Install 7-Zip

Sending files over the Internet is usually quick and easy. Simply attach your document to an email and click Send. However, if you need to transfer large files and/or large amounts of data, this task becomes tedious. You can send multiple emails or compress files so they don’t take up too much space. If you choose the latter, which program should you use to reduce the digital footprint of your files? Many users agree that 7-zip is the best.

What is 7-zip?

7-zip is an open source file archive program originally developed by Igor Pavlov. Unlike its main competitors WinZip and WinRar, 7-zip is completely free to use. More importantly, 7-zip is faster and can compress files more tightly than its competitors, according to tests by the Fein Institute at the University of California, Davis, and Tom’s Hardware. 7-zip is also compatible with all types of compressed files. 7-zip uses a proprietary format, .7z, but can also open .zip and .rar files.

Once you install 7-zip onto your computer, you won’t need any other file archivers. Even if you already own a data compression program, you should install 7-zip anyway since it’s free and probably faster.

Why use 7-zip

7-zip is faster and more efficient than other file archiving services. In Tom’s hardware test mentioned above, 7-zip reduced files by about 50% in less than a minute, while WinRar took twice as long. A recent test of video editing software Movavi showed that 7-zip was able to reduce the size of an MP4 video by 41%, while WinZip was only able to achieve his 28% compression rate. Granted, some programs were faster than 7-zip in these tests, but 7-zip took a little longer, but it still compressed data more compactly than other archive services, so it’s by no means efficient. It wasn’t the point. Files in .zip format were more common, but .7z files were always more space efficient.

Since 7-zip is a third-party open source app, and almost anyone can freely modify open source programs, you may wonder if the program is safe. Well-known companies such as Lenovo, as well as many computer users, confirm that this program is reliable and regularly checked by security experts. However, this only applies to copies downloaded from the official 7-zip website, as the administrators of the official 7-zip website have strict control over what is published there. If you download a copy from another of his websites, you run the risk of unintentionally installing malware.

Install 7-zip on PC

How To Install 7zip on Windows PC

Since 7-zip was designed originally for Windows, the program has received the most support and is the easiest to use, download and install.

1. Determine whether your computer uses a 64-bit or 32-bit system, then begin by clicking the Start button.

2. Click System.

3. Scroll down and click About.

4. Look for System typewhich should be listed under Device specifications. This section will tell you if your OS is 64 or 32-bit.

5. Visit https://www.7-zip.org/.

6. Click Download next to a 7-zip program compatible with your OS (you may have to scroll down to find the correct one).

7. After the setup wizard has downloaded, find it in your Downloads folder and double-click on it.

8. A window warning you about letting the program make changes to your computer might pop up. If it does, click Yes.

9. A setup window should open. If you don’t like the folder the wizard recommends, select a different destination folder or create one of your own. Then click the Install button.

10. After 7-zip is finished installing, click Close.

As with most programs, we highly recommend restarting your PC before using 7-zip. If the installation was successful, you should see a new 7-zip option in the drop-down menu every time you right-click a file, or if you’re running Windows 11, after you click “Show more options” in the new menu. It shows. If you check this option, another drop-down menu will appear, allowing you to perform actions such as “Open Archive,” “Extract File,” and “Test Archive.” If one version of 7-zip doesn’t work, uninstall the program and download another version, preferably one for 32-bit systems.

Install 7-zip on Linux

In March 2021, the developers of 7-zip released official support for Linux computers. Although 7-zip’s programmers offer a Linux-compatible version that can be accessed through the download section of their website, most Linux fans recommend using the OS Terminal to download and install the program in one go. Masu. However, the commands required for this task vary depending on the specific version of Linux.

If you use a Debian-based system such as Ubuntu or Debian, take the following steps:

1. Open the Terminal window.

2. Type sudo apt update

3. Type sudo apt-get install p7zip-full

If you use an RPM-based system such as CentOS or Fedora, follow these steps:

1. Open the Terminal window.

2. Type sudo dnf install p7zip

If you use Arch Linux, use these instructions:

1. Open the Terminal window.

2. Type sudo apt-get install p7zip

Alternatively, many Linux owners also recommend using the Package Manager to download and install 7-zip:

1. Open Package Manager.

2. Search for 7zip.

3. Click on the Install button.

Install 7-zip on Mac

Available but perhaps not ideal for How To Install 7zip on Mac

Although 7-zip is technically available for Mac as well and can be found on the same download page as the Linux version, most Mac owners actually recommend other file archivers such as Keka. Reasons range from 7-zip only existing as a command line on Mac to 7-zip not working properly on Mac. Although we cannot guarantee anything, you can always try the program for yourself by following the steps below.

1. Visit https://www.7-zip.org/.

2. Click Download on the left side of the screen (between LZMA,SDK, and FAQ).

3. Scroll down until you find a program compatible with your macOS.

4. Click the Download button next to the appropriate 7-zip version.

5. After the program finishes downloading, click on the file you downloaded.

6. A warning window might pop up. If it does, click Open.

If 7-zip works for you, then you’re all set. Otherwise, you could look through forums for a suitable replacement if needed.

7-zip’s simple installation process reflects its ease of use. Unfortunately, while Mac owners can’t take advantage of the program, PC and Linux users will be hard-pressed to find a file archiver that condenses data more efficiently, third-party or otherwise.