How to open 7z files

High-compression .7z archives explained — plus free tools to open them on any operating system.

Updated April 2026 6 min read Beginner
Quick answer
  • Windows: install 7-Zip (free) → right-click the .7z → Extract Here.
  • Mac: install The Unarchiver or Keka → double-click the file.
  • 7z is the highest-compression common format — files can be 30–70% smaller than ZIP.

What is a 7z file?

A 7z file (seven-zip) is an archive created by the 7-Zip tool. It’s an open, royalty-free format known for excellent compression — often 30–70% smaller than a ZIP of the same content. It also supports AES-256 encryption for secure password protection.

Neither Windows nor macOS open .7z files natively. You need a free tool. 7-Zip is the canonical choice on Windows; The Unarchiver or Keka on Mac.

Open 7z files on Windows

  1. Download 7-Zip Visit 7-zip.org and install the 64-bit version.
  2. Right-click the .7z file Windows 11: click Show more options to reveal the 7-Zip submenu.
  3. Choose “Extract Here” Files unpack into the current folder. Use Extract to [folder name] if you prefer a tidy sub-folder.
  4. Enter the password if prompted 7z encryption is AES-256, so you must have the correct password — there’s no shortcut.

Open 7z files on Mac

The Unarchiver (simple)

  1. Install from the App Store Search The Unarchiver, click Get.
  2. Right-click the .7z Choose Open With → The Unarchiver.
  3. Enter the password if prompted Files extract into the same folder.

Keka (more control)

Keka is a more feature-rich alternative. Download from keka.io. Drag the .7z onto Keka’s icon — or set it as the default app for .7z in Get Info.

Which is better, Unarchiver or Keka?Unarchiver is set-and-forget: just extracts things. Keka lets you also create archives and tweak compression settings. If you only need to open .7z files, start with The Unarchiver.

Open 7z files on Linux

Install the p7zip-full package:

  • Debian / Ubuntu: sudo apt install p7zip-full
  • Fedora: sudo dnf install p7zip p7zip-plugins
  • Arch: sudo pacman -S p7zip

Then extract with: 7z x archive.7z (the x command preserves folder structure).

Frequently asked questions

Is 7z the same as 7-Zip?

7-Zip is the tool. .7z is the file format it creates. 7-Zip can also read ZIP, RAR, TAR, ISO, and a dozen other formats — but the .7z extension specifically means the archive was created with 7-Zip’s own format.

Why is 7z so much smaller than ZIP?

7z uses an algorithm called LZMA (and newer LZMA2), which finds longer repeated patterns in files than ZIP’s older Deflate algorithm. The trade-off is slightly slower compression — but extraction speed is comparable.

Can I email a .7z file?

Usually yes, but some corporate email filters block .7z attachments because they can’t be scanned for viruses. If your email bounces, zip the .7z (creating a .zip containing the .7z) or use a file-sharing service.