Tutorials

7Zip is a great file compression and archiving tool. And it’s unfortunate how only professionals and advanced users are the ones who know about it. So to give credit to this amazing tool, we will teach you a simple guide on how to use 7Zip.

There are too many file compression programs available online and among the most commonly used nowadays are WinZip and WinRAR. On the other hand, a lesser-known choice is 7Zip. It is free and has the smallest compression compared to the prior options.

The thing is, not many are aware that it is available till the time that it is introduced to them. Thus, they are often clueless about how to use 7Zip or the benefits it has to offer.

What is 7Zip Then?

Well, 7-Zip as mentioned earlier, is a file archiver coupled with a high compression ratio both for GZIP and ZIP formats. This is between 2 to 10 percent better than other tools available.

7Zip boosts its own format delivering a high compression ratio that is roughly 40 percent higher. This is primarily because 7-Zip is using LZMA as well as LZMA compression. In addition, it has dictionary sizes and superb compression settings.

Zip tool has gained its appeal and worldwide interests primarily because of its ability to compress files efficiently. However, this doesn’t stop 7-Zip to show that it can match the bigger and more established names in the industry.

How to Install 7Zip

After downloading and launching 7Zip, you will be amazed by how easy and simple to navigate through its user interface. In downloading the actual program, just follow the steps discussed.

1. Go to 7Zip’s home page and choose the version you wish to download. 
2. As of this writing, these are the versions available.

   

3. Choose the version you want and click on the “Download” button.
4. A new window appears which asks you what directory you like to install the program. Choose the destination folder you wish to save the program and click “Install”.

   

5. Once the 7-Zip is installed, hit the “Finish” button.

That’s everything you have to do. Now, let’s proceed on how to use 7Zip and other vital product details and information.

Navigating through 7Zip’s UI

Inside the window, you’ll see the main toolbar containing the most useful features and other menus that let you dig deeper and be accustomed to its UI. Some of the features are briefly discussed below:

• Extract – a button that allows you to accept or browse for the default destination path for your file easily.
• View – this menu contains the “Folder History” as well as the “Favorites” menu which allows you to save to as much as ten folders.

7-Zip can integrate with the Windows Explorer menu which displays archive files as folders. And at the same time, it provides a toolbar with a drag-and-drop feature. It is possible as well to switch between a single or even dual-pane view.

How to Use 7Zip: Compression & Extraction

We’ve discussed and learned the installation procedure as well as a quick overview for 7-Zip. Now we will move on to properly using 7-Zip both for compressing files and extracting them. At first, let’s proceed with compressing files.

• Step number 1. Open 7-Zip File Manager.
• Step number 2. Click on what file you wish to compress and click “Add”. This will identify the file that you need compress.

• Step number 3. “Add to Archive” window is going to pop up. Ensure that your Archive format is set to “Zip” and then hit the “OK” button.
• Step number 4. 7Zip will now process the file and compress it in a zip file that’s located in the same destination where the original file is.

Extraction

When extracting files, there are 5 straightforward steps you need to do. Just check the lines below.

1. Select the files that you want to extract.
2. Choose files you wish to extract and press right-click. This will open a new menu.
3.  Hover over the “7Zip” option.

   

4.  Choose “Extract Here”. This brings up a new window that shows the progress as well as the remaining time before extracting the file.

   

5.  Wait for it to finish. The extracted file will appear in the same directory where you have all RAR or 7-Zip files in.

Product Specifications

7-Zip is offering multiple features which makes it one of the best and most effective software compression tools that deliver the lowest compressed data. Few of its remarkable specs are:

• Open Architecture – the source code is using GNU LGPL license while the unRAR code is a combination of license with unRAR + GNU LGPL restrictions.
• High Compression Ratio – by taking advantage of its own 7z format w/ LZMA as well as LZMA2 compression, it allows 7Z to achieve a 40 percent compression ratio or higher compared to its peers. For GZIP and ZIP formats, 7Z delivers a compression ratio that’s 2 to 10 percent better compared to WinZip and PKZip.
• Strong AES-256 encryption – this one includes both encryption and password protection of filenames and files.
• Ability to use multiple encryptions, conversion or compression methods – to give you an example, 7Z can support several packing as well as unpacking for XZ, GZIP, ZIP, TAR, WIM, and 7z It also has support for a self-extracting ability for 7z format.
• Integrates with Windows Shell – by using the menu options, it is feasible to integrate 7z to the Windows Shell menu.

These are the spec sheet that made 7-Zip a strong competitor among the leading compression tools on the web. The best part, 7z is available and downloadable free of charge! If you’re afraid that you don’t know how to use 7Zip, which stops you from switching, follow the steps above. Start to enjoy the lowest compression at no price.

Did you know that there is a feature called password protect on 7Zip? By using 7Zip to archive or compress your files, you do not just organize and make the file smaller, but you can also have your data password protected with the 7Zip. And if your file is too important, the 7Zip supports AES-256 encryption to keep your data safe. That’s one of the most sophisticated and widely used security protocols by giant companies to date. That includes the CIA of U.S.

The 7Zip is one of the best archiving and compression tool in its field. It is even better than similar compression tools that are popular for some basic consumers. Also, 7Zip is not just about creating and extracting ZIP and RAR files. It supports the most number of compression formats that exist today.

This tool also takes advantage of the present processors that are developed with multi-core capability. As a matter of fact, 7Zip is used on benchmark tests to measure a certain processing unit’s full capacity. So it is not just a tool for file compression and decompression, it is also a tool for professionals for testing computing machines.

On that note, it is one of the factors that make 7Zip a powerful tool in its focused field. Whether it’s for Windows, Mac, or 7Zip for Linux OSes. And if you want your files to get the highest security from a simple archiving tool, you cannot go wrong with password protect on 7Zip.

Why Do You Need Password Protect on 7Zip?

The password protects on 7Zip is useful when you have important files on a shared computer. This will make your personal or business documents only accessible by you and you alone.

This is also helpful when you are trying to send ZIP files through email or any messaging platform. The password protect on 7Zip will help keep the files secured and accessible to its intended recipient only. To share the password that can open the protected file, try sending it through a different platform like through text message or a different messaging app.

Anyway, this is just an example. You can always use other arrangements and other ways to exchange information in place of a typically secured communication.

How to Use Password Protect on 7Zip?

This is where it gets more interesting. The 7Zip uses the simplest approach in creating a password-protected file or archive. It uses a straightforward method that even a child can do it in just a few clicks.

Since you came here to find out how to use password protect on 7Zip, we will give you what you came here for. You will be delighted to know how simple the steps are. Anyway, here is the brief step-by-step guide on how to use password protection on 7Zip.

Install 7Zip

1. The first you need to do it make sure you have 7Zip installed on your Windows or 7Zip  for Mac system. If you have not yet installed one, you may download an installer from the 7Zip download page.

   

2. The file is just around 1.5MB so you should have the installer in just a couple of seconds.
3. Install 7Zip by double-clicking on the installer.

   

4. Once the installation finishes, you should be able to see 7Zip on the system menu when you right-click on your mouse.
5. If not, restart your operating system for the installation to take effect.

Password Protect on 7Zip

1. Now, go to the file that you want to apply the password protect feature from 7Zip.
2. Right-click on the file or if you want to put multiple files, all you need is to highlight all the files. You can do this by pressing the CTRL button from the keyword while clicking on the files that you want to include in the operation.
3. Once you highlighted all the necessary files, press the right-click on your mouse to see the 7Zip option.

   

4. Hover your mouse on the 7Zip to show all the menus under it.
5. Now, find the “Add to Archive” and click on it to launch the 7Zip user interface.
6. On the new 7Zip window, you will find the name of the compression file that you are going to create. You may rename it as you see fit or however, you want to call it.
7. On the right side of the 7Zip window, you should see the “Encryption” portion. Under it, is the “Enter Password” blank tab, type in your preferred password inside it. Please be reminded that you have to use a password that is easy for you to remember and difficult for other people to guess.

   

8. Type again the password on the “Reenter Password” empty tab.
9. On the Encryption method, you may choose the between ZipCrypto and AES-256.

   

10. If you are not familiar with the other features on the 7Zip window, we suggest that you leave those alone for now. We will have some separate articles on what those features are all about.
11. Now, if you think your password is good to go, click on the “OK” button at the bottom. This will initiate the compression process, and with it, the password protect feature.
12. The speed of the compression process will depend on the size and quantity of the files. The bigger the file the longer that process is. If you are archiving files with the size of 500MB, it should take only 50-60 seconds.

    

13. As soon as the compression finishes, the 7Zip windows will automatically close. But this time, you will be able to find a new file next to your ordinary files.
14. That’s it. You have a compressed ZIP or 7Z file that cannot be extracted without your password.

Reminder:

As you can see, your original files are still there. You can choose to delete the original copies or have them saved on your external drives like USB stick or CD. You may also keep the original files on your cloud-based account, or you can save them on your smartphone.

If you want to check if the operation worked, right-click on the compressed file and choose extract. It should now ask you for the password. Fail to enter the correct password and you will get a zero-sized file.

The compressed and password-protected file will be safe where you put it. But if the files inside it are far too precious, we suggest to keep them safe and secured somewhere as well just for added precaution.

In Conclusion

The password protect on 7Zip may sound so simple, but it comes really handy when it matters. This is true especially if you are accessing a shared or public computer. Having a password-protected file adds that security and peace of mind in case you happen to forget it somewhere. Or perhaps, someone wants to steal your work, and this extra security will lend a huge help to you.

If you have not heard of password protect on 7Zip, what other measures and apps that you use to protect your files like documents, pictures, and videos? Tell us in the comment section. We would love to know what you guys are up to before learning about this great feature.

If you have questions and suggestions related to this topic, please feel free to type your messages in the comment section as well. We will be monitoring the comments and participate as well from time to time. Let’s all keep a positive and helpful community. Thank you for reading this far.