: While Windows users have used 7-Zip for decades, the 21.00 version introduced official console versions for Linux and macOS.

The release of was a major milestone for the software, specifically because it provided native Linux support for the first time.

Could you clarify if refers to a specific archive filename or perhaps a software version other than 7-Zip 21? Does 7z compress better than zip? - Microsoft Community Hub

: Supports strong AES-256 encryption , allowing you to password-protect both the file contents and the filenames.

To open or create these files, you generally need a specific utility:

: Primarily uses LZMA and LZMA2 , which are highly efficient for large files or redundant data like documents.

: The 7z format is part of an open architecture, meaning it is free for anyone to use or implement in their own software. Significant Features of 7-Zip 21.xx