7-Zip — The Complete Guide: Free File Compression, Extraction and Encryption

7-Zip is an open-source file compression and extraction tool, completely free — in organisations too, with no “trial period” and no pop-ups asking you to buy a licence. It opens almost every format and integrates into the Windows right-click menu.

7-Zip

Igor Pavlov

File compression and extraction — ZIP, 7z, RAR and more, with strong compression and AES-256 encryption.

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Why it matters for engineers

Large files — models, point clouds and drawing sets; the 7z format usually compresses better than ZIP.
Encryption — password-protected archives with AES-256, including encrypted file names, for sending drawings and client data.
Splitting into volumes — dividing a large archive into fixed-size parts when the mail system limits file size.
Opening any format — RAR, TAR, GZ, ISO and more, with no extra software.

Tips

When the recipient uses Windows without 7-Zip, send ZIP — Windows opens it directly. For encryption the recipient can open without extra software you can choose ZIP with AES-256, but some built-in tools will not open it; in that case send a link to download 7-Zip. Send the password through a different channel, not in the same email.

Related tools

To encrypt a whole drive or a permanent folder — VeraCrypt. To back up and sync project folders — FreeFileSync and Syncthing. To store archive passwords — KeePassXC.