Microsoft has announced that Windows 11 will now natively support 11 new file archive formats, including 7-Zip and RAR. This means that users will no longer need to install third-party software to open and extract files from these formats.
The other archive formats that are now supported include:
- TAR
- TAR.GZ
- TAR.BZ2
- TAR.ZST
- TAR.XZ
- TGZ
- TBZ2
- TZST
- TXZ
“We have added native support for additional archive formats, including tar, 7-Zip, RAR, gz and many others using the libarchive open-source project,” Microsoft’s former Chief Product Officer, Panos Panay said. “You now can get improved performance of archive functionality during compression on Windows.”
Archive formats like ZIP, 7-Zip, and RAR are extensively used on Windows systems, with ZIP being the most widespread choice.
Bijay Pokharel
Bijay Pokharel is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Abijita, an independent technology and cybersecurity news publication established in 2017. A specialist in cybersecurity journalism, Bijay covers vulnerability research, malware analysis, enterprise data breaches, digital privacy, and emerging technologies. His work translates complex technical threats into precise, accessible, and actionable intelligence for security professionals and general readers alike. His reporting and investigative coverage are routinely cited and republished across leading technology and security media.



