Skip to content

Installing 7-Zip on Windows 11

Overview

This guide covers installing the latest 7-Zip (64-bit), enabling File Explorer context menu integration, and verifying the installation.

What you'll do

  • Download and install 7-Zip (x64).
  • Enable Explorer context menu integration.
  • Verify from GUI and CLI.

Before you start

Take a VM snapshot before installing new tools.

Prerequisites

  • Windows 11
  • Internet access
  • Local administrator privileges

Helpful links

Steps

1. Download 7-Zip

  1. Open a browser.
  2. Go to https://www.7-zip.org/.
  3. Download the latest 64-bit x64 Windows installer (e.g., 7z2301-x64.exe).

2. Install 7-Zip

  1. Run the downloaded .exe.
  2. Accept defaults (install path typically C:\Program Files\7-Zip\).
  3. Complete the wizard.

Caution

Ensure you choose the x64 build for Windows 11.

3. Enable Context Menu Integration

  1. Open 7-Zip File Manager.
  2. Navigate to Tools → Options → 7-Zip.
  3. Enable:
  4. ✅ Integrate 7-Zip to shell context menu
  5. ✅ (Optional) Cascaded context menu
  6. Click Apply → OK.

4. Verify Installation

  • Press Win + R, type 7z, press Enter → 7-Zip File Manager opens.
  • Right-click any file → confirm 7-Zip options appear.
  • From PowerShell:
& "C:\Program Files\7-Zip\7z.exe" --help

Expected: help output with available commands.

Verification

  • 7-Zip opens from Start Menu and command line.
  • Context menu entries appear in File Explorer.
  • Compression and extraction work without errors.

It worked if…

  • 7z launches
  • Right-click menu shows 7-Zip options
  • 7z.exe --help prints usage

Troubleshooting

  • No context menu options → Run 7-Zip File Manager as Administrator and re-enable integration.
  • Wrong architecture installed → Uninstall and reinstall the x64 build.
  • Command not found → Add C:\Program Files\7-Zip\ to PATH if you need CLI everywhere.

Common issues

  • Context menu still missing → restart Explorer or sign out/in.
  • Installer blocked by policy → unblock file / temporarily adjust policy.

References