7-Zip GUI - Extraction Dialog Module
7zG.exe is completely safe. It's the graphical user interface module for 7-Zip, displaying extraction dialogs, progress windows, and password prompts when you extract compressed files.
7zG.exe is the GUI (Graphical User Interface) module for 7-Zip file archiver. Unlike 7zFM.exe (the file manager), 7zG.exe specifically handles dialog windows that appear during extraction, compression progress, password entry, and overwrite confirmations.
When you right-click a ZIP or 7z file and choose "Extract Here" or "Extract to folder", 7zG.exe launches temporarily to show the extraction progress window. It displays compression/decompression speed, file count, progress percentage, and handles user interactions like password prompts or file conflict resolution. Once the operation completes, 7zG.exe automatically closes.
Quick Fact: 7zG.exe is a lightweight standalone executable (under 200 KB) that runs only during active compression/extraction operations. It's separate from 7zFM.exe to keep Windows Explorer context menu operations fast and responsive without loading the full file manager interface.
Yes, 7zG.exe is completely safe when it's part of the official 7-Zip installation from 7-zip.org.
The legitimate 7zG.exe is NOT a virus. It's a digitally signed component of the trusted open-source 7-Zip tool.
C:\Program Files\7-Zip\ or C:\Program Files (x86)\7-Zip\. Files elsewhere (AppData, Temp, System32) are suspicious.Red Flags: If 7zG.exe runs constantly, uses high CPU when no compression is happening, is located outside C:\Program Files\7-Zip, or appears multiple times in Task Manager, it may be malware disguised with the 7-Zip name. Some malware uses similar names like "7zg.exe" (lowercase) or "7zgui.exe" to avoid detection.
7zG.exe runs only during active compression or extraction operations.
Reasons it's running:
7zG.exe cannot be disabled independently as it's a core component of 7-Zip. Removing it would break extraction features. It only runs when needed and auto-closes.
Common issues with 7zG.exe:
Quick Fixes:
1. Update to latest 7-Zip version from 7-zip.org
2. Extract to Desktop or C:\Temp if getting permission errors
3. Check caps lock if password dialog rejects password
4. Use "Extract Here" for faster extraction without folder selection dialog
5. Cancel and restart extraction if progress freezes for 10+ minutes
6. Close other programs using the files being extracted
Yes, when it's from the official 7-Zip installation. 7zG.exe is a digitally signed component that only runs during compression/extraction operations. It auto-closes when done.
It appears each time you extract or compress files using 7-Zip's context menu. If it appears without you doing anything, check for malware or background processes using 7-Zip libraries.
No, it's essential for 7-Zip's GUI operations. It's lightweight (5-30 MB RAM) and runs only when needed, so there's no performance benefit to disabling it.
7zFM.exe is the full file manager application. 7zG.exe is just the lightweight GUI module for progress dialogs and prompts during extraction/compression from Windows Explorer context menu.
CPU usage is from compression/decompression algorithms (LZMA/LZMA2), not the GUI itself. High CPU during these operations is normal and expected for achieving good compression ratios.
Use the command-line tool (7z.exe) in silent mode: <code>7z x archive.zip -o"C:\Output" -y</code>. Or enable "Hide progress window" in 7-Zip settings for small operations.