ByIf you’re using 7-Zip regularly for file compression or extraction, mastering 7-Zip keyboard shortcuts can drastically improve your workflow. Whether you’re navigating the file manager, creating archives, or extracting files, keyboard shortcuts let you get the job done faster—without ever touching the mouse.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the most useful 7-Zip keyboard shortcuts for Windows, how to use them efficiently, and how they can save you time every day.
📌 What Is 7-Zip?
7-Zip is a free, open-source file archiver for Windows that supports a wide range of archive formats including .zip, .7z, .rar, and more. Known for its high compression ratio and lightweight interface, it’s a popular alternative to tools like WinRAR or WinZip.
But what many users don’t realize is that 7-Zip supports a variety of keyboard shortcuts that can boost productivity significantly.
🎯 Why Use 7-Zip Keyboard Shortcuts?
Using keyboard shortcuts in 7-Zip gives you:
- ⚡ Faster access to common functions like compressing, extracting, and testing archives.
- 🖱️ Mouse-free operation, especially helpful for power users or IT admins.
- 🧠 Improved efficiency when managing large sets of files or batch jobs.
📁 Task-Specific 7-Zip Keyboard Shortcuts
Let’s break it down further based on what you want to accomplish:
🔄 Compressing Files
- F9 – Open the archive creation dialog quickly
- Enter – Confirm and start compression
📦 Extracting Files
- Alt + E (customizable or accessible through menu navigation)
- Enter – Extract selected files
- Backspace – Navigate to parent directory after extraction
- Backspace – Go up a directory level
- Ctrl + A – Select all files
- Ctrl + C / Ctrl + V – Copy and paste inside archive
7 Zip Shortcut Keys
| Shortcut Key | Information | State |
| Enter | Open current item | File |
| Ctrl + PgDN | Open current item as folder inside 7-Zip | File |
| Shift + Enter | Open current item in new window | File |
| F4 | Open selected item with editor | File |
| F2 | Rename selected item | File |
| F5 | Copy selected items | File |
| F6 | Move selected items | File |
| Delete | Delete selected items | File |
| Ctrl + Z | Set comment for file | File |
| F7 | Create new folder | File |
| Shift + F4 | Creates new file | File |
| Alt + F4 | Closes the program. | File |
| Shift + + | Select all items | File |
| Shift + – | Select all items | Edit |
| Shift + * | Select / Deselect all items | Edit |
| + | Select specified items | Edit |
| – | Deselect specified items | Edit |
| Alt + + | Select all items with the same extension as current item | Edit |
| Alt + – | Deselect all items with the same extension as current item | Edit |
| Ctrl + 1 | Displays items by using large icons | Edit |
| Ctrl + 2 | Displays items by using small icons | View |
| Ctrl + 3 | Displays items in a list | View |
| Ctrl + 4 | Displays items in a list with detailed information about each item | View |
| F3 | Sort items by Name | View |
| Ctrl + F4 | Sort items by Type | View |
| Ctrl + F5 | Sort items by Date | View |
| Ctrl + F6 | Sort items by Size | View |
| Ctrl + F7 | Do not sort items | View |
| 1 | Switch On/Off second panel | View |
| Backspace | Open the folder one level up | View |
| Alt + F12 | Open folders history | View |
| Ctrl + R | Refresh items list | View |
| F1 | Opens 7-Zip Help | View |
| Tab | Switch between panels | View |
| Insert | Select / Deselect current item | Miscellaneous commands |
| Shift + F10 | Display the shortcut menu for the selected items | Miscellaneous commands |
| Alt + 9 | Open folder bookmark | Miscellaneous commands |
| Shift + Alt + 9 | reates folder bookmark | Miscellaneous commands |
| Alt + F1 | Edit the Folder Address on left panel | Miscellaneous commands |
| F2 | Edit the Folder Address on right panel | Miscellaneous commands |
| Ctrl + + | Adjust optimal column width for items | Miscellaneous commands |
| Top Arrow | Open same folder in other panel | Miscellaneous commands |
| Alt + Left Arrow | Open current folder in other panel | Miscellaneous commands |
What is the shortcut to extract files in 7-Zip?
There’s no default single-key shortcut, but pressing Enter after selecting files and choosing “Extract” from the toolbar speeds up the process.
Can I use 7-Zip entirely with the keyboard?
Yes, you can navigate the entire 7-Zip interface with keyboard shortcuts, including opening archives, selecting files, and compressing or extracting files.
Is 7-Zip faster with keyboard shortcuts?
Definitely. For frequent users, using 7-Zip keyboard shortcuts reduces reliance on the mouse and boosts task speed by up to 30%.
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