7-Zip works for Windows 7, Vista, XP, 2008, 2003, 2000, NT, ME, and 98. And there is a port of the command line version to Linux/Unix. And there is a port of the command line version to Linux/Unix. Most of the source code is under the GNU LGPL license. Dec 13, 2010 - First off, a.7z file is an archive format that stands for 7-zip, you can think of it like any other archive file. By default, Mac OS X does not know how.
Free and low-cost third-party compression apps are available for the Mac, but Mac OS X and macOS both come with a built-in compression system that can zip and unzip files. This integrated system is relatively basic, which is why many third-party apps are also available. A quick look at the Mac App Store revealed more than 50 apps for zipping and unzipping files.
Before you download a third-party app, learn how to compress and decompress files and folders using the Archive Utility built into the Mac. It's a basic tool, but it gets the job done.
OS X and macOS Compression
The Archive Utility includes options that you can modify, but don't bother to look for it in the Applications folder; it's not there. Apple hides the utility because it's a core service of the operating system. Apple and app developers use core services to enhance an application's capabilities. For example, Mac Mail uses the Archive Utility to compress and decompress attachments; Safari uses it to decompress files you download.
The Archive Utility has settings you can modify, but most users never need them. Right now it is a better idea to get used to the utility as configured in its default state. You can always try new settings later.
The Archive Utility may be hidden away, but that doesn't mean you can't access its services. Apple makes zipping and unzipping files and folders extremely easy by selecting them in the Finder and using the Archive Utility.
Zipping a Single File or Folder
- Open a Finder window and navigate to the file or folder you want to compress.
- Control-click (or right-click if you have a mouse with that capability) the item and select Compress from the pop-up menu. The name of the item you select appears after the word Compress, so the actual menu item reads Compress 'item name.'
The Archive Utility zips the selected file. The original file or folder is left intact. The compressed version is in the same folder as the original file (or on the desktop, if that's where the file or folder is located), It has the same name as the original file with a .zip extension.
Zipping Multiple Files and Folders
Compressing multiple files and folders works about the same as compressing a single item. The only differences are in the names of the items that appear in the pop-up menu and the name of the zip file that is created.
- Open the folder that contains the files or folders you want to compress.
- Select the items you want to include in the zip file. Shift-click to select a range of files or Command-click to select nonadjacent items.
- After you select all the files and folders you want to include in the zip file, right-click or Control-click on any one of the items and select Compress from the pop-up menu. This time, the word Compress is followed by the number of items you selected, such as Compress 5 Items.
When the compression is finished, the items are stored in a file called Archive.zip, which is located in the same folder as the original items.
If you already have an item in that folder named Archive.zip, a number is appended to the new archive's name. For example, you could have Archive.zip, Archive 2.zip, Archive 3.zip, and so on.
One curious aspect of the numbering system is that if you delete the Archive.zip files at a later date, and then compress multiple files in the same folder, the new Archive.zip file has the next number in the sequence appended to it; it doesn't start over. For example, if you compress three groups of multiple items in a folder, you end up with files called Archive.zip, Archive 2.zip, and Archive 3.zip. If you delete the zip files from the folder, and then zip another group of items, the new file is named Archive 4.zip, even though Archive.zip, Archive 2.zip, and Archive 3.zip no longer exist in that folder.
Unzipping a File
Unzipping a file or folder couldn't be easier. Double-click the zip file, and the file or folder decompressed in the same folder as the compressed file.
![7 Zip For Mac Os 7 Zip For Mac Os](http://cdn.osxdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/the-unarchiver-mac-file-association-7z-files.jpg)
If the item you are decompressing contains a single file, the new decompressed item has the same name as the original file.
If a file with the same name is already present in the current folder, the decompressed file has a number appended to its name.
Folder for Multiple Unzipped Items
When a zip file contains multiple items, the unzipped files are stored in a folder that has the same name as the zip file. For example, if you unzip a file called Archive.zip, the files are placed in a folder called Archive. This folder is located in the same folder as the Archive.zip file. If the folder already contains a folder called Archive, a number is appended to the new folder, such as Archive 2.
Apps for Compressing or Decompressing Mac Files
If you want more file compression features than Apple offers in its Archive Utility, third-party apps are available. They include:
Active4 years, 2 months ago
I would like to be able to run 7zip from the command line on Mac. Does anyone have instructions on how to set this up?
Paul SheldrakePaul Sheldrake1,8241010 gold badges2828 silver badges3030 bronze badges
3 Answers
To install p7zip using Homebrew, first update your
brew
formulae to be sure you are getting the latest p7zip
.Use Homebrew to install
p7zip
:Add all files in the
sputnik
directory to the compressed file heed.7z
:Unzip
Troy HarveyTroy Harveyheed.7z
:3,36822 gold badges1010 silver badges66 bronze badges
On the download page of 7-zip, there are several options for OS X. Unfortunately, they seem to be with a GUI, or not available at the moment.
You can download p7zip though.
p7zip is the command line version of 7-Zip for Unix/Linux, made by an independent developer
It is distributed as Linux binaries and in source code form on Sourceforge.
Download the source code, and run
Daniel Beck♦Daniel Beckmake
in the folder you extract the archive to. It will automatically build 7za
for your OS. You might need Xcode and its command line tools for this to work.95.4k1212 gold badges241241 silver badges292292 bronze badges
If you only need to extract archives, unar (a command line version of The Unarchiver) also supports 7zip.
LriLri32.7k55 gold badges9595 silver badges135135 bronze badges