Windows - Software - Install 7-Zip

What the 7-Zip installer Worklet does

This Automox Worklet™ automates deployment of 7-Zip, the popular open-source file archiver. The Worklet detects your operating system architecture and installs the matching 32-bit or 64-bit version to maximize compression performance and compatibility.

The Worklet downloads the latest 7-Zip installer from the Automox software cache and performs a silent installation using the /S switch. Installation files are automatically removed after successful deployment.

7-Zip integrates with Windows Explorer shell, providing right-click context menu options for compression and extraction. It supports numerous archive formats including 7z, ZIP, RAR, TAR, and ISO.

Why deploy 7-Zip through Automox

Windows native ZIP support handles only basic compression formats, leaving users unable to open RAR, 7z, TAR, and other common archive types. Users download untrusted third-party tools to extract files, creating security risks and help desk overhead. Without standardized compression tools, users struggle with file sharing, experience poor compression ratios, and generate support tickets when they encounter unfamiliar archive formats.

7-Zip offers advantages over Windows built-in compression. It handles a wider variety of archive formats, provides better compression ratios, and includes encryption capabilities for secure file sharing.

As an open-source application, 7-Zip carries no licensing costs. Standardizing on 7-Zip across your organization provides consistent functionality without per-seat licensing concerns.

How 7-Zip installation works

1. Evaluation phase: The Worklet checks both 64-bit and 32-bit registry uninstall keys for entries matching 7-Zip. On 64-bit systems, it queries HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall and HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall. If 7-Zip is found in either location, the Worklet exits. Otherwise, it triggers remediation.

2. Remediation phase: The Worklet determines OS architecture using Is64BitOperatingSystem, downloads the appropriate EXE installer from the Automox cache API, runs the installer with /S for silent mode, and removes the installer file after completion. Exit codes indicate success or failure.

7-Zip installation requirements

• Windows 8 or later, Windows Server 2012 or later

• Internet connectivity to download from api.automox.com

• Approximately 25 MB disk space

• Administrative privileges (provided by Automox agent)

Expected state after 7-Zip installation

After successful installation, 7-Zip is fully integrated into Windows and ready for immediate use. The application appears in the Start menu under "7-Zip" and registers in Programs and Features for centralized management. The Windows Explorer shell extension provides right-click context menu options on all files and folders–users can right-click any archive and see options including "Extract Here," "Extract to [foldername]," and "Extract files." When right-clicking files or folders, users see "Add to archive" and "Add to [filename].7z" for quick compression. The endpoint recognizes .7z, .zip, .tar, .rar, and dozens of other archive formats, opening them with 7-Zip File Manager when double-clicked. You can verify this change through the Automox Activity Log or by checking the endpoint configuration directly.

Users can open the 7-Zip File Manager directly for advanced operations including archive creation with encryption. File type associations for .7z files are configured automatically. Subsequent Worklet executions detect the existing installation and skip remediation.

How to validate install 7-zip changes

1. Run this Worklet on a pilot Windows endpoint and review evaluation output for install 7-zip.

2. Confirm Automox activity logs show successful completion and exit code 0.

3. Verify endpoint state using checks aligned to evaluation script logic, such as Write-Output, Get-ChildItem, Get-ItemProperty.

4. Validate remediation effects from script operations such as Split-Path, New-Object, Start-Process, then rerun evaluation for compliance.