How to Create Self-Extracting Archives on Windows 10 & 11 (2024)


By Timothy Tibbetts

Many of us have created a compressed archive over the year, but did you know you can create a self-extracting or self-installing package with IExpress built into Windows? Here's how.

Press the Windows Key + R. Type in iexpress, and press Enter.

Check the box next to Create a new Self-Extraction Directive file if not already checked, and click Next.

How to Create Self-Extracting Archives on Windows 10 & 11 (1)

Enter a name for your archive and click Next.

How to Create Self-Extracting Archives on Windows 10 & 11 (2)

Choose whether to Prompt or No prompt and click Next. Most people will use No prompt (default).

Choose whether to Display a license or Do not display a license and click Next.

Click on Add, and File Explorer will open to add files to your self-extracting archive. You can use Ctrl + A to select all files in a folder.

Click on Next.

How to Create Self-Extracting Archives on Windows 10 & 11 (3)

You can now add programs or INF files and post-install commands and click Next.

On the next screen, you can choose how to show the install window - Default, Hidden, Minimized, or Maximized, and click Next.

Next, you can add a message to show the user after installation is completed and click Next.

Finally, name your package and decide if you want the user to restart after installation.

Click Next a couple more times to create your package.

How to Create Self-Extracting Archives on Windows 10 & 11 (4)

Your new package can be found (by default) in your User folder (C:\Users\UserName).

How to Create Self-Extracting Archives on Windows 10 & 11 (5)

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  • How to Create Self-Extracting Archives on Windows 10 & 11 (2024)

    FAQs

    How to Create Self-Extracting Archives on Windows 10 & 11? ›

    Press the Windows Key + R. Type in iexpress, and press Enter. Check the box next to Create a new Self-Extraction Directive file if not already checked, and click Next. Enter a name for your archive and click Next.

    Can 7Zip create a self-extracting archive? ›

    Instructions
    • Click the ellipsis (…) button to browse and locate the file you want to archive and encrypt.
    • Check the box next to “Create SFX archive.”
    • Enter a password and re-enter it for confirmation.
    • Choose the encryption method (AES-256).
    • Leave other fields at their default settings and click “o*k.”
    May 7, 2024

    How does self-extracting archive work? ›

    SFX archives are executable files that function by appending the content to be archived to a decompressor stub, which is what is executed upon running the file. This stub seamlessly decompresses and displays the file contents, saving the recipient from requiring specialized software.

    How to create a self-extracting Zip file with WinZip? ›

    How to create a self-extracting file using WinZip
    1. Download WinZip from the official WinZip website, then open WinZ.
    2. Click on the Create button in the toolbar and choose Self-Extracting Archive from the dropdown list.

    How to create a sfx archive? ›

    In WinRAR shell either select "Create SFX archive" option in Archive name and parameters dialog, when creating a new archive or enter into an already existing archive and press "SFX" button. In the WinRAR shell you can select the desired SFX module from the list displayed when executing Convert archive to SFX command.

    How do I create a self extracting archive in Windows 10? ›

    Press the Windows Key + R. Type in iexpress, and press Enter. Check the box next to Create a new Self-Extraction Directive file if not already checked, and click Next. Enter a name for your archive and click Next.

    Is 7-Zip faster than WinRAR at extracting? ›

    Is WinRAR better than 7-Zip? WinRAR can provide a faster speed and a variety of decompressed formats than 7-Zip. However, it's not free and can support only ZIP and RAR for compression. Meanwhile, 7-Zip can zip and unzip on Mac and PC both.

    Are Zip files self-extracting? ›

    A self-extracting Zip file is a Windows executable file (.exe). It will contain a Zip file and a small program to extract (unzip) the files in the Zip file. A user can run (execute) a self-extracting Zip file just as they run any other program: just double-click on the .exe file.

    What is the difference between SFX and zip? ›

    How SFX archives work. Self-extracting archives are simply put, a normal zip or rar file that contains so-called 'SFX' commands or modules. They give you the possibility to run a specific command once the archive gets opened. The way in which they can be induced to execute code is similar to the case with LNK files.

    What is the difference between clone archive and recovery archive? ›

    Unlike a clone archive, a recovery archive preserves zone clone relationships. In a recovery archive, the active boot environment is the only fully prepared BE. Inactive BEs are archived mainly for data recovery regardless of their being bootable.

    Is extracting a zip file the same as unzipping it? ›

    Here, I have right-clicked on the zipped file and selected "Extract to here." "Extract" is the same thing as "unzip." Windows also sometimes places "Extract files" links in toolbars which may be useful to you. Windows generally opens a wizard to ask where you want the files extracted.

    How do I convert a zip file to extract? ›

    Extract/Unzip Zipped Files
    1. Right-click the zipped folder saved to your computer.
    2. Choose "Extract All..." (an extraction wizard will begin).
    3. Click [Next >].
    4. Click [Browse...] and navigate to where you would like to save the files.
    5. Click [Next >].
    6. Click [Finish].

    How do I create an auto archive? ›

    Archive older items automatically
    1. Click File > Options > Advanced.
    2. Under AutoArchive, click AutoArchive Settings.
    3. Click the Run AutoArchive every n days box and specify how often to run AutoArchive.
    4. Choose any other options you want, such as having Outlook delete old items instead of archiving them.

    How do I create an archive file? ›

    Locate the file or folder that you want to zip. Press and hold (or right-click) the file or folder, select (or point to) Send to, and then select Compressed (zipped) folder. A new zipped folder with the same name is created in the same location.

    How do I create a zip archive? ›

    Right-click on the file or folder.

    To place multiple files into a zip folder, select all of the files while hitting the Ctrl button. Then, right-click on one of the files, move your cursor over the “Send to” option and select “Compressed (zipped) folder”.

    Are zip files self-extracting? ›

    A self-extracting Zip file is a Windows executable file (.exe). It will contain a Zip file and a small program to extract (unzip) the files in the Zip file. A user can run (execute) a self-extracting Zip file just as they run any other program: just double-click on the .exe file.

    How do I create a self-extracting encrypted zip file? ›

    From within an existing archive
    1. Open the zip file you wish to create a self extractor from, Click on the save icon and in the Save type, select PKSFX.
    2. From the SFX (self extractor) Editor, edit any options you wish to include.
    3. Enter a passphrase or select a certificate to encrypt or click skip for no encryption.

    Do you need 7-Zip to extract 7-Zip files? ›

    They are practically the same as zip files. However, you will always need the 7-zip program to open 7z files, whereas zip files can be opened with any program intended for archiving or extracting. We recommend using zip files.

    How do I create an archive in 7-Zip? ›

    1) Select the files and/or folders you wish to zip, right click, hover to “7-Zip”, and click “Add to archive…” 2) Enter the name of the ZIP file you wish to create under “Archive”. Click the button on the right if you wish to save it to another location.

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