Summary: this article describes how to compress files or entire folders into 7-Zip archives.

7-Zip file archives are normally created using the free 7-Zip file archiver, written by Igor Pavlov and featuring a high compression ratio (especially thanks to its LZMA method). Go to www.7-zip.org for more information.

But you can also create 7-Zip archives with Paquet Builder.

See also: how to create 7-Zip Self-Extracting archives (.exe format)?

» Requirements

Before you begin, you need to have got the following tool:

• Paquet Builder - Freeware (or Registered) Edition. Paquet Builder can convert 7-Zip, Cabinet and Zip archives into simple or advanced Self-Extractors in .exe format. It can also create .7z, .cab and .zip files itself.

» How to compress my files into a 7-Zip archive?

1. Open Paquet Builder and on the welcome page, click on "Start a new project".

2. The "New Project" dialog box is displayed. Click on the button near "Files Archive".

Then double-click on "Which file compression do you want to use?" and click on the button near "7-Zip"

Finally click on "OK".

3. A new project is started. In the navigation panel on the left side, click on "Manage files to compress".

4. The File Manager window is opened. Click on "Add..." and select "Add File(s)" or "Add Folder" if you want to archive an entire folder.

5. The standard "Open File" shell dialog box is shown: select the file(s) you want to archive and finally click on "Open". The files are added to the list; you can then continue to add more files or folders.
When everything is done, click on the OK button to close the File Manager window.

6. Click on "Build" in the toolbar and you are prompted to specify the filename for the 7z archive that will be built.

When your archive is created, you can see the details of the compilation:

That's all!

It is possible to add entire group of files, folders and even source wildcards.

You can configure how paths are stored in the archive. Paquet Builder supports storing relative paths: just click on "Modify file compression".

You can set the file compression level (how hard your files are compressed): several pre-defined levels from Fast to Ultra are available. Click on "Modify file compression".

It is possible to change the compression method at any time: if you prefer to compress your files into a Zip or a Cab archive, just select the new method by clicking on "Modify file compression" again.

You can therefore compare the compression ratios between Zip, Cab and 7z.

You can save a project file (.pbp extension) and rebuild your archive later and at any time. It is even possible to automatically compile it again directly from Windows Explorer using the context menu: just click on your .pbp file and select "Compile" in the menu.

See the Paquet Builder homepage for other features.

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