How to Use 7z File Extractor with Windows 11

Introduction

Do you have challenging drive space issues? Does the clutter get worse as you add files to your hard drive? Then it would be best to have an excellent file compressor to organize, archive, and compress files for secure storage. The most well-known ones are WinZip and WinRAR. They are excellent file extraction software. But they both cost about $40. So, use 7-zip instead. 7z is not only free file extractor software but it also has good compression ratio. But how can you use the 7z file extractor to extract files? Do you know? If not, then don't worry. I have come up with an article explaining how to do it.

Part 1: Why You Should Use 7-Zip?

Before knowing how to use a 7-zip file extractor, you must understand why you should use it. So, here are the reasons behind its usage:

• Both for personal and business use, 7-Zip is free.
• It has a high compression ratio for the 7z, ZIP, and GZIP formats.
• It supports 7z and ZIP files with 256-bit AES encryption.
• The software enables compression of files up to 16 exbibytes or 264 bytes.
• It is compatible with Windows Shell.
• Supported formats include 7z, XZ, BZIP2, GZIP, TAR, ZIP, and WIM for packing and unpacking.

Part 2: How to Install 7-Zip on Windows 11?

Now you know why you must go with a 7-zip extractor free. So, here I am sharing some steps to help you download and install 7-Zip on Windows.

Step 1: Start by launching a web browser and going to 7-zip.org. The version of 7-zip that you want to download next.

Step 2: For 64-bit Windows, choose the "64-bit x64 version,". If you have 32-bit Windows, use the "32-bit x86" version.

Step 3: Click the "Download" link to get the setup file.

Step 4: Next, launch File Explorer. Then, go to the folder where you downloaded the 7-zip setup file. Next, double-click on it to install. Then close it.

Step 5: Click "Yes" when User Account Control requests your permission.

Step 6: You'll see a new 7-Zip Setup window asking where you wish to install the application. Click the button with three tiny dots. Next, choose the desired folder to change the directory.

Step 7: Click the "Install" button to use the default folder.

Step 8: Click 'Close' when the installation is complete.

Part 3: How to Setup 7-Zip with Windows 11?

Making 7z extractor the default program for opening and producing archive files is necessary before you begin using it. It is how you do it:

Step 1: After installing the application, open it as administrator. Then, type "7-Zip" into the Windows search box.

Step 2: You should click the UAC authorization button.

Step 3: Go to the 'Tools' menu in the 7-Z extractor. Then, choose 'Options'.

Step 4: Select7-Zip from the System tab's first '+' button to make it the default archiver for all archive types for the current user.

Step 5: Then, by pressing the (+) button, 7-Zip will become your default archiver.

Step 6: Make this app the default for all users by selecting the second "+" button. Then select "Apply" to save the configurations.

Step 7: Now, you may open a compressed file in 7-Zip.

Step 8: Right-click an archive file in Windows 11, and a new context menu will appear with just one 7-zip archive option. Click "Show more options".

Step 9: The old context menu will appear with additional options.As your cursor moves over the "7-Zip" option, more 7-Zip menu items will appear.

Step 10: In the 7-Zip app, you can modify these context menu items. Open the 7-Zip program.

Step 11: Select Tools > Options to do that. After that, change to the "7-Zip" tab and modify the context menu items there.

Part 4: How to Extract 7z File?

Let's now look at how to extract 7z file.

1. Extract Files to a New Folder

If you wish to extract files while keeping themorganized inside a different folder, the steps are as follows:

Step 1: Right-click on the archived file. And, then choose Show more options.

Step 2: After that, the outdated Windows context menu will appear. Select "Extract to (folder name)" after hovering over 7 zip.

Step 3: This will extract the files into a folder with the same name as the archived file you are removing.

2. Extract Files to the Same Folder

Following the steps below will allow you to extract the archived file from the same folder using the 7z extractor:

Step 1: Click the archived file with the right mouse button. Then, choose Show More options.

Step 2: Click "Extract here" after hovering over 7 zip.

Step 3: The archive's folder will now contain the extracted files.

3. Extract to Another Location

Here are the steps that you can follow to extract files from a specific folder:

Step 1: Right-click on an archived file. Then, choose Show Moreoptions.

Step 2: Hover your cursor on 7 Zip, then choose "Extract files..."

Step 3: This will let a tiny extraction window become visible. Click the (...) icon next to the "Extract to" field.

Step 4: Go to where you wish to extract. Then, save the files and browse there.

Step 5: Click Make New Folder to add a new folder to an existing location.

Step 6: Click on OK after selecting it.

Step 7: Assign a name to this folder.

Step 8: Next, select it and press OK.

Step 9: Click OK once again to start the extraction.

Part 5: Bonus: Use Repairit to Repair Damaged ZIP Files

You may repair corrupted zip files with the excellent program Repairit File Repair. It is a toolbox used to address various issues, including file corruption. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Zip files can all have their faulty files repaired. And anyone can use it to fix their corrupted files because it is so simple.

Repairit File Repair's easy-to-follow steps to recover your corrupted or damaged Zip files are as follows:

Step 1:Open the program, and Click File Repair > Zip File Repair.

You can find all the damaged Zip files in the result section.

Step 2: To start the repair procedure, choose "Repair".

Step 3: Check your restored files.

Step 4: Select any location and save the repaired Zip files there.

Conclusion

In this article, I have discussed the 7z file extractor in detail. I hope you have understood all the steps to extract the 7z file. Moreover, if your zip files are inaccessible, use the Repairit file repair tool that can repair and restore your zip files immediately.