7-ZIP compressed 7z archive
File type: Archive and compressed file
Files with 7z extension are compressed archives created with the 7-Zip archive utility. 7Z is a popular alternative to ZIP/RAR formats.
File type category:
Archive and compressed file
Date updated: July 19, 2025
File extension 7z is used for native file format of 7-ZIP archiver. 7z file format was developed as as part of the 7-Zip compression utility distributed under the GNU LGPL.
7-Zip supports encryption with the AES-256 algorithm. This algorithm uses a cipher key with a length of 256 bits. To create that key, 7-Zip runs a derivation function based on a SHA-256 hash algorithm. A key derivation function produces a derived key from the text password entered by the user. To increase the cost of an exhaustive search to crack a password, 7-Zip uses a large number of iterations when it produces a cipher key from a password.
7z file format has an open architecture, so it can support any new compression methods. LZMA is the default and general compression method of 7z file format.
The LZMA compression algorithm is very suitable for embedded applications. LZMA is released under the terms of the GNU LGPL.
MIME type used for 7z files: application/x-lzma
The native application, that can open and extract 7z compressed file is 7-Zip.
7zip compression format is supported by third party archive applications such as WinRAR, PowerArchiver, PeaZip, ZipZag and etc... This applications can open and extract 7z compressed archives.
The easiest way how to convert 7z archive is to decompress the 7z archive with the use of 7-ZIP and repack the content with another compression or archive application of your choice.
WinRAR has integrated conversion utility, that can convert 7z compressed archive files (and other compression formats) into RAR compressed archives.
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Software applications that can open 7z files:
Microsoft Windows
Apple macOS / Mac OS X
Linux/Unix
Google Android
Software applications that can edit 7z files:
Apple macOS / Mac OS X
Linux/Unix
Software capable of saving 7z files:
Apple macOS / Mac OS X
Linux/Unix
Software apps that create 7z files:
Apple macOS / Mac OS X
Linux/Unix
Software apps that import 7z files:
Apple macOS / Mac OS X
Software apps that export 7z files:
Apple macOS / Mac OS X
Software apps that extract 7z files:
Microsoft Windows
Apple macOS / Mac OS X
Linux/Unix
Apple iOS
Google Android
Multi-volume, also multi-part or split archives, were and are still used by many users. It is basica...
online = can be converted online at 101convert.com
Online conversions and file conversion information are provided by 101convert.com.
