Working with 7z Files on Ubuntu: Installation and Usage

Working with 7z Files on Ubuntu: Let me guess, you’re here because you’ve got a 7z file staring at you, and you’re wondering how in the world you’re supposed to open it on Ubuntu. Trust me, I’ve been there. I used to think 7z files were some mystery format until I finally cracked the code (pun intended). But don’t worry, you won’t need any secret knowledge. It’s actually super simple.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about working with 7z files on Ubuntu. We’ll cover how to install the tools you need and how to extract and create 7z files like a pro. So, grab a coffee (or chai, whatever floats your boat), and let’s get started!

What Is a 7z File, Anyway?

Before we install it, let me explain what a 7z file is. In simple terms, it’s just a compressed file, like a .zip or .rar. It’s popular because it can pack a bunch of files into one tiny package, saving you space and making things easier to share.

But, here’s the thing; Ubuntu doesn’t come with 7z support by default. I know, right? You’d think with all the formats out there, they’d throw this one in too. But no worries, we’ll fix that in a minute.

There is one more related post on our website you may like to read before proceeding ahead- Compress Files on Ubuntu.

Step 1: Installing p7zip on Ubuntu

To handle 7z files on Ubuntu, we need a little tool called p7zip. This is like the Swiss Army knife for compressed files. It does it all, extraction, compression, you name it.

Here’s how to install it:

1. Open your Terminal. (If you’re new to Ubuntu, you can find it in your app menu or hit Ctrl + Alt + T to open it quickly. Easy peasy!)
2. Type the following command and hit Enter:

sudo apt update

This updates your list of available packages. It’s like checking the fridge before grocery shopping, just making sure everything’s fresh.

3. Now, install p7zip with this command:

sudo apt install p7zip-full

The “full” version gives you all the tools you need to create and extract 7z files.

4. Let it do its thing. It should only take a few seconds. Done? Awesome! You’ve got everything you need now.

Step 2: Extracting a 7z File

Okay, now that we’ve got p7zip installed, let’s get to the fun part, extracting your first 7z file. This is the part where I used to get stuck, but trust me, it’s simpler than putting together a piece of IKEA furniture.

Here’s how you do it:

1. First, make sure your 7z file is in a place you can find easily. I usually dump everything on the Desktop, but you do you.
2. Open your Terminal again and navigate to the folder where your 7z file is. If it’s on the Desktop, you can type:

cd ~/Desktop

3. Once you’re in the right place, type this command:

7z x yourfile.7z

(Just replace yourfile.7z with the actual name of your file.)

4. Hit Enter and watch the magic happen. Your files will start extracting, and they’ll appear in the same folder. Easy, right?

There are some more options for unzipping or extracting files in Ubuntu, we have a dedicated blog post for that you can learn from here – Extracting Zip Files in Ubuntu.

Step 3: Creating a 7z File

Now that you’ve mastered extracting 7z files, let’s step it up a notch. What if you want to create your own 7z file? Maybe you’ve got a bunch of vacation photos you want to compress into one tidy file (so your friends don’t hate you for clogging their inbox).

Here’s how to create a 7z file:

1. Put all the files you want to compress into one folder. Let’s say your folder is called “VacationPics” and it’s on your Desktop.
2. Open the Terminal and navigate to that folder. Here’s how you do it:

cd ~/Desktop/VacationPics

3. Now, to create a 7z file, type:

7z a archive.7z *

This will create a file called archive.7z that contains everything in your folder. You can change “archive” to whatever name you like.

4. And that’s it! You’ve just created a 7z file. Congratulations, you’re basically a compression wizard now.

Real-Life Example: My First 7z File Mistake

Let me tell you a little story. The first time I tried creating a 7z file, I made one big mistake, I forgot to navigate to the folder with my files. I ended up creating a 7z file in the wrong directory, and I had no idea where it went! It was like losing socks in the laundry.

So, trust me, double-check where you are before you run the command. It’ll save you a lot of headache later.

Step 4: Listing the Contents of a 7z File

Sometimes, you might want to take a peek inside a 7z file before extracting everything. Maybe you’re not sure what’s in there, or maybe you’re looking for just one specific file.

Here’s how you can do that:

1. In the Terminal, go to the folder where your 7z file is located.
2. Type:

7z l yourfile.7z

This will list out all the contents of the 7z file without extracting anything. Handy, right?

FAQs

Conclusion

And that’s pretty much it! Working with 7z files on Ubuntu doesn’t have to be a mystery. You’ve got the tools, the know-how, and probably a newfound appreciation for compressed files. Whether you’re extracting or creating 7z files, you’re all set.

Now it’s time to try it yourself. Go ahead, extract or compress something, and see how easy it is. You’ve got this.