7-Zip — The Free, Open-Source File Archiver
High compression ratio, AES-256 encryption, and support for 30+ formats. Download the official 7-Zip (7zip) and learn everything about the world's most popular free archive tool.
Trusted by millions worldwide since 1999
Why Choose 7-Zip?
The advantages that make 7-Zip the go-to archiver
Highest Compression Ratio
7zip's 7z format with LZMA2 achieves 30-50% better compression than ZIP, saving disk space and transfer time.
AES-256 Encryption
Protect your archives with military-grade encryption. 7-Zip filename encryption keeps contents completely hidden.
30+ Format Support
Open and extract RAR, ISO, DMG, TAR, GZIP, CAB, VHD and more. 7zip creates 7z, ZIP, TAR, GZIP, XZ archives.
100% Free & Open Source
No trials, no nag screens, no payments. GNU LGPL licensed. Use 7-Zip anywhere, including commercial environments.
Fast & Lightweight
The 7zip installer is only ~1.5 MB. Uses minimal system resources. Multi-threaded compression for maximum speed.
Trusted Since 1999
7-Zip is maintained by Igor Pavlov for over 25 years. Used by millions worldwide. Audited by the security community.
Powerful Features
Everything you need for file compression and archiving
AES-256 Encryption
Military-grade encryption for 7z and ZIP formats
LZMA & LZMA2 Compression
High ratio compression algorithms developed by Igor Pavlov
Split Archives
Divide large archives into multiple volumes
Self-Extracting Archives (SFX)
Create .exe archives that extract without 7-Zip installed
Password Protection
Secure your archives with strong passwords
Built-in Benchmark
Test CPU compression and decompression performance
Command Line Version
Powerful CLI for automation and scripting
Windows Explorer Integration
Right-click context menu for quick archive operations
Powerful File Manager
Built-in file manager with two-pane interface
Supported Formats
Open and create archives in 30+ formats
How 7-Zip Compares
See how 7-Zip stacks up against the competition
7-Zip vs WinRAR
The two most popular archive tools compared: compression, price, formats, and features.
Learn More7-Zip vs WinZip
Free open-source power vs paid subscription software. Detailed feature comparison.
Learn More7-Zip vs PeaZip
Two open-source archivers compared. Which one fits your needs?
Learn MoreLatest Version Info
- Latest Version
- 26.02
- Release Date
- 2026-06-25
- Developer
- Igor Pavlov
- License
- GNU LGPL + BSD 3-clause + unRAR
- File Size
- ~1.6 MB
- Compatibility
- Windows 11/10/8/7/Vista/XP
Tutorials & Guides
Step-by-step instructions for every task
How to Install 7-Zip on Windows
Step-by-step guide to download and install 7-Zip on Windows 11/10/8/7.
ExtractionHow to Extract ZIP Files
Extract files from ZIP archives using 7-Zip on Windows.
ExtractionHow to Open and Extract RAR Files
Open RAR and RAR5 archives with 7-Zip without needing WinRAR.
SecurityHow to Password Protect an Archive
Create a password-protected, encrypted archive with 7-Zip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions
Is 7-Zip free?
Yes. 7-Zip is 100% free open-source software licensed under the GNU LGPL. You can use it on any computer, including commercial environments, without paying anything. There is no trial period, no nag screens, and no feature limitations.
Is 7-Zip safe?
Yes, 7-Zip is completely safe when downloaded from the official website (7-zip.org) or the official GitHub releases page (github.com/ip7z/7zip). It is open source, meaning its code is publicly auditable. Always verify the SHA-256 hash of downloaded files and avoid third-party download sites that may bundle malware.
Is 7-Zip open source?
Yes. 7-Zip is open-source software. The main code is licensed under the GNU LGPL, with some components under the BSD 3-clause license. The unRAR code is under a restricted license that allows free use but not re-distribution of the code. The source code is available on GitHub.
Can 7-Zip open RAR files?
Yes. 7-Zip can fully extract RAR and RAR5 archives, including multi-volume (split) RAR files and password-protected RAR files. However, 7-Zip cannot create RAR files due to the proprietary nature of the RAR format. For creating RAR files, you would need WinRAR.
Can 7-Zip create RAR files?
No. 7-Zip cannot create RAR files because the RAR format is proprietary. The unRAR license allows extraction but not creation. For most use cases, the 7z format provides equal or better compression and is completely free. If you specifically need RAR, use the official WinRAR software.
Can 7-Zip open ISO files?
Yes. 7-Zip can open and extract files from ISO disc images without needing to mount or burn them. This is useful for retrieving individual files from installation media or software distributions.
Available in Your Language
7-Zip knowledge base in 10 languages