Install 7-Zip On Fedora: A Comprehensive Guide

Oct 23, 2025 by Jhon Lennon 47 views

Hey there, Fedora users! Ever found yourself missing the handy file compression and extraction capabilities of 7-Zip, that awesome, open-source archiver? Well, you're in the right place! This guide is your one-stop shop for everything related to installing 7-Zip on Fedora. We'll walk you through the process, making it super easy, even if you're new to Linux. So, grab your favorite beverage, and let's get started! We'll cover everything from the initial setup to ensuring you can use 7-Zip like a pro. We'll use the command line, the terminal, which is the heart of Linux. No worries, though, we'll keep it simple and friendly.

Why Choose 7-Zip?

Before we dive into the installation process, let's chat about why 7-Zip is such a great choice. 7-Zip is a free, open-source file archiver that offers a high compression ratio. That means it can shrink files down significantly, saving you space on your hard drive and making it easier to share files. Plus, it supports a wide variety of archive formats, including its own 7z format, which offers excellent compression, along with ZIP, GZIP, BZIP2, XZ, TAR, and WIM. But the key is that 7-Zip is versatile and works really well. It is a super handy tool for managing your files. Moreover, it's cross-platform, meaning it's available on Windows, Linux, and macOS. It's a lifesaver when you need to extract files downloaded from Windows systems or to create archives that can be easily shared across different operating systems. It also has a powerful command-line interface, which we will use, allowing for scripting and automation, which is awesome when you need to process a lot of files or integrate file management into your workflow. 7-Zip's simple user interface makes it easy to use, and it is pretty intuitive, even if you're new to file compression tools.

Another significant advantage is that 7-Zip is completely free of charge. You can use it for personal or commercial purposes without any restrictions, which is a fantastic benefit. The developers behind 7-Zip continuously update it to improve its performance and fix any security vulnerabilities. You can always trust that you are using a safe and secure tool. Finally, 7-Zip is known for its excellent compression ratios, so you can often shrink files even smaller than with other archivers, saving you valuable disk space. This is essential, particularly when you have a lot of large files or are working on systems with limited storage. Overall, 7-Zip is a fantastic choice for anyone needing a powerful, versatile, and free file archiver. Ready to install it? Let's move to the next section.

Method 1: Installing 7-Zip Using the Terminal and RPM Package (Recommended)

Alright, let's get down to the nitty-gritty and install 7-Zip on your Fedora system. The best and easiest way to do this is using the command line and an RPM package. The terminal is your friend here! Don't worry; it's easier than it sounds. Here's what you need to do:

Step 1: Open Your Terminal

First things first, you'll need to open your terminal. You can usually find it by searching for "Terminal" in your applications menu. Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Alt + T. This will open a new terminal window, ready for your commands.

Step 2: Update Your System

Before you install anything, it's always a good idea to update your system. This ensures you have the latest packages and dependencies, which will help avoid any potential issues. To update, run the following command in your terminal:

 sudo dnf update -y

This command uses dnf, the default package manager in Fedora, to update all packages on your system. The -y flag automatically answers "yes" to any prompts, saving you time. This will update all the packages and get the latest version available.

Step 3: Install the 7-Zip Package

Now, for the main event! Fedora typically has a 7-Zip package available in its repositories. You can install it using the following command:

 sudo dnf install p7zip

This command tells dnf to install the p7zip package, which is the 7-Zip package in Fedora's repositories. The sudo command is required because you are installing software on your system, and it will ask you for your password. This package includes the command-line interface and the necessary tools for working with 7-Zip archives. After running the command, dnf will download and install the package and any required dependencies. Wait for the installation to complete.

Step 4: Verify the Installation

To make sure 7-Zip is installed correctly, you can check its version using the following command:

 7z --version

If the installation was successful, this command will display the 7-Zip version information, confirming that it's ready to use. If you see the version, congrats! You have successfully installed 7-Zip on your Fedora system!

Step 5: Using 7-Zip

Now that 7-Zip is installed, you can start using it to compress and extract files. The 7z command is your main tool. Here are a few basic examples:

To compress a file or folder:
```
7z a archive.7z file.txt
```
This command creates a 7z archive named archive.7z and adds the file file.txt to it. You can replace file.txt with a folder name, and 7-Zip will compress the entire folder and its contents.
To extract a 7z archive:
```
7z x archive.7z
```
This command extracts the contents of the archive.7z archive to the current directory. The x option means extract. The files will be extracted in the same folder where the archive is located.
To list the contents of an archive:
```
7z l archive.7z
```
This command lists the files inside archive.7z without extracting them.

And that's it! You're ready to use 7-Zip in the terminal. In the next section, we'll cover how to install it using other methods.

Method 2: Installing 7-Zip Using a GUI Package Manager (Optional)

If the command line isn't your jam, don't worry! Fedora also has graphical package managers that make installing software super easy. One such GUI (Graphical User Interface) is GNOME Software. Here's how to install 7-Zip using it:

Step 1: Open GNOME Software

Find and open the GNOME Software application on your Fedora system. You can usually find it in your applications menu.

Step 2: Search for 7-Zip

Once GNOME Software is open, use the search bar (usually located at the top) and type "7-Zip" or "p7zip." GNOME Software will then search its repositories for matching packages.

Step 3: Install 7-Zip

When you find the "p7zip" package (or the relevant 7-Zip package), click on it to see more details. Then, click the "Install" button. You might be prompted to enter your password to authorize the installation. The installation process may take a few moments. Once it's done, you're good to go!

Step 4: Verify the Installation

Once the installation is complete, you can verify that 7-Zip is installed by searching for it in the installed applications or trying to use the command line, as described in Method 1.

Step 5: Using 7-Zip with a GUI

While this method mainly installs the command-line version, you can still use 7-Zip with a GUI. Most file managers, like Nautilus (the default file manager in GNOME), can be configured to work with 7-Zip. Right-click on a compressed file (like a .7z or .zip file), and you should see options like "Extract here" or "Extract to..." You can also use GUI front-ends for 7-Zip if you prefer a more visual experience.

Using the GUI package manager is a straightforward way to install software, especially if you're new to Linux or prefer a visual approach. However, bear in mind that the command line can provide more control and flexibility.

Method 3: Installing 7-Zip from Source (Advanced Users)

For the more adventurous among us, you can install 7-Zip by compiling it from source code. This method is generally for experienced users who like to get their hands dirty. It offers more control, but it also involves more steps and potential for things to go wrong. If you are a beginner, it is better to skip this.

Step 1: Install Dependencies

First, you'll need to install the necessary build tools and dependencies. Open your terminal and run the following command:

 sudo dnf install gcc make p7zip-plugins

This command installs the GNU Compiler Collection (gcc), the make utility, and the p7zip-plugins. These tools are required to compile 7-Zip from source. The p7zip-plugins include additional features for 7-Zip.

Step 2: Download the 7-Zip Source Code

Next, you'll need to download the source code for 7-Zip. You can get it from the official 7-Zip website or from a trusted source, such as a Git repository. For example, let's assume you've downloaded the source code to your "Downloads" directory. You can download the code from the official website. You can find the source code there.

Step 3: Extract the Source Code

Once you have downloaded the source code, you'll need to extract it. Navigate to the directory where you downloaded the source code. You may need to use a tool to decompress the archive. Use the tar command to extract the archive if it's a .tar.gz file:

 tar -xzf 7z-source-code.tar.gz

Replace 7z-source-code.tar.gz with the actual name of the archive file.

Step 4: Compile the Source Code

Navigate to the extracted source code directory in the terminal. Then, you'll need to compile the source code. This involves running the make command to build the program. Typically, you will find instructions or a Makefile that specifies how to build the source code. You will need to check those instructions before proceeding. Run the make command, and it will begin the compilation process. This process can take a few minutes.

Step 5: Install 7-Zip

After compilation, you can install 7-Zip by running the make install command. You may need to use sudo to install the software in the system directories:

 sudo make install

This command will copy the compiled 7-Zip files to the appropriate system directories, making it available for use. This will vary depending on the 7-Zip source code you are using.

Step 6: Verify the Installation

As with the previous methods, verify the installation by checking the 7-Zip version in the terminal using the command 7z --version. If it shows the version information, you have successfully installed 7-Zip from source.

This method gives you the most control but also requires more technical know-how. Unless you really know what you are doing, it is generally easier to use the RPM package. This method is the more advanced technique. Now, let's move to the last section!

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with these straightforward steps, you might encounter a few hiccups. Don't worry; we've got you covered. Here are some common issues and how to resolve them:

Package Not Found

If you get an error that the package "p7zip" or "7-zip" isn't found during installation, it might be due to a few reasons:

Outdated Repositories: Make sure your system's package repositories are up to date by running sudo dnf update -y before attempting the installation again.
Typographical Errors: Double-check the package name for any typos. The correct package name for 7-Zip in Fedora is "p7zip."
Repository Issues: In rare cases, the package might not be available in your default repositories. You can try adding additional repositories or searching for alternative sources.

Permissions Issues

If you encounter permission denied errors, it usually means you didn't use sudo correctly or that you don't have the necessary permissions. Always use sudo before commands that require elevated privileges.

Dependency Problems

If the installation fails due to dependency issues, try running sudo dnf install -y --refresh p7zip. The --refresh option tells dnf to refresh the package metadata before attempting the installation.

Command Not Found

If you get a "command not found" error after installation, verify that 7-Zip is installed correctly by checking its version (7z --version). If it still doesn't work, try restarting your terminal or logging out and back in.

Conclusion: Enjoy 7-Zip on Fedora!

And there you have it! You've successfully installed 7-Zip on your Fedora system, whether you chose the straightforward RPM package method, the user-friendly GUI package manager, or even the more involved source code compilation. Now you can compress, extract, and manage your files with ease. Remember to always keep your system updated and stay safe by downloading software from trusted sources. If you have any problems, review the troubleshooting section. You can now use 7-Zip to extract archives. Happy archiving, guys!