[Solved] 7z command not recognized / 7z.exe missing

by Vladimir Popescu

Managing Editor

December 10, 2020

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If you have tried to use a command line in order to extract your files, only to get an error or see that the command is not being recognized, rest assured you are not the only one.

Many users report not being able to use the 7z command and the number of reasons for which this is happening can vary.

In this article we’ve put together the best solutions in order to fix this error and get you on track with unzipping your files as soon as possible.

How do I fix 7-Zip not working from the command line?

1. Use WinZip

Before moving forward in detailing our recommendations for fixing the 7-Zip not working from the command line, we suggest using WinZip as an alternative.

First of all, WinZip is a highly reliable and efficient software, and you are less likely to be bothered by errors when using it.

It offers the best file compression feature along with other important options, such as a versatile file management system, and easy sharing by email, cloud, and even social media features.

Thanks to the Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive integration, you get instant access to cloud storage accounts.

Let’s have a look to some of its key features:

• Supports all major file formats including Zip, RAR, 7Z, and GZIP.
• Strong encryption level.
• Signature of new and existing PDF.
• PDF conversion, watermarking, and easy sharing features.
• File deletion for duplicate files.

WinZip

With this error free software you will be able to extract all your .exe files without troubles. Get the best deal now!

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2. Scan your device for malware

The most common reason for encountering a 7-zip.exe missing can be due to having the device infected with certain malware that will definitely cause this type of issue to appear.

In order to clean your device and restore full functionality on decompressing archived files, we would recommend that you download and install Malwarebytes on your device.

Once installed, make sure to select Run as administrator and simply wait for the scanning process to finish. You should see that your issue is solved once the infected files have been removed from your PC.

Malwarebytes

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3. Update 7-Zip

The next step in solving this issue, is to make sure that you are using the latest version of 7-Zip.

Most of the time, the newer version of the program comes with improved stability and with additional reported issues solved.

The easiest way to update the software is to access the 7-Zip official page and select from the presented list the corresponding version for your Windows 10 device.

Once you downloaded and installed it on your device, make sure to restart your PC as well and run the 7 zip from the command line again.

4. Modify the System’s path

1. Right-click on the Start button.
2. Select System and click on Advanced system settings.
3. Go to the Advanced tab and select Environment Variables
4. Click on Path and next choose Edit.
5. Click New and enter the following path SET PATH=%PATH%;"C:\Program Files\7-Zip"
6. Click OK.

This is about all. We hope that one of our solutions helped you solve the 7z command not recognized.

If you have additional suggestions and recommendations, let us know in the comments section below.

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