How to Easily Extract 7z Files in Linux ?

If you’ve ever downloaded a compressed file from the internet, there’s a good chance it was in the 7z format. The 7z format is popular because it offers high compression ratios, making files smaller and easier to share. However, if you’re new to Linux, you might wonder how to extract these 7z files. In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to extract 7z files in Linux using simple, straightforward steps.

What is a 7z File?

A 7z file is a compressed archive format created by the 7-Zip utility. It’s similar to ZIP or RAR files but often provides better compression. The 7z format can contain multiple files and folders, all packed into a single file, which is then compressed to save space.

Step 1: Install the p7zip Package

Before you can extract a 7z file in Linux, you need to ensure that you have the p7zip package installed. This package provides the tools needed to work with 7z files. Most Linux distributions do not include p7zip by default, so you’ll need to install it manually.

To install p7zip on Ubuntu or any Debian-based distribution, open a terminal and run:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install p7zip-full

For Fedora or Red Hat-based distributions, use:

sudo dnf install p7zip p7zip-plugins

Step 2: Extract the 7z File

Once p7zip is installed, you can easily extract 7z files using the 7z command. Navigate to the directory where your 7z file is located. For example, if your file is in the Downloads folder, you would type:

cd ~/Downloads

To extract the file, use the following command:

7z x yourfile.7z

Replace yourfile.7z with the name of your actual file. The x option stands for “extract,” and it will unpack the contents of the 7z file into the current directory.

Step 3: Verify the Extraction

After running the extraction command, you should see the contents of the 7z file in your current directory. You can list the files using:

ls

This will show you all the files and folders that were extracted from the 7z archive.

Step 4: Extracting to a Specific Directory (Optional)

If you want to extract the contents of the 7z file to a specific directory, you can use the following command:

7z x yourfile.7z -o/path/to/directory

Replace /path/to/directory with the path where you want to extract the files. This will unpack the 7z archive directly into the specified directory.

Conclusion

Extracting 7z files in Linux is a straightforward process once you have the right tools installed. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily unpack any 7z file you encounter. Whether you’re dealing with large archives or just a single file, the 7z command makes the extraction process quick and painless.