Navigating file compression and archive utility tools often feels like a step back into the past, but NanaZip brings the classic archiver experience straight into the modern era. As an open-source file manager and extraction tool, NanaZip acts as a direct, modernized fork of the highly popular 7-Zip, delivering the exact same functionality while fully adhering to contemporary interface standards. By bridging the gap between legacy archive formats and modern UI expectations, this application provides users with an updated, visually pleasing way to zip, modify, and save their data files.
Key Features
- Windows 11 Context Menu Integration: Solves one of the most common frustrations with third-party archivers by embedding extraction and compression options directly into the primary right-click menu of modern operating systems.
- Modern XAML-Based GUI: Upgrades the traditional file manager interface with Dark Mode support and immersive Mica effects, ensuring the application looks native on Windows 10 and Windows 11 environments.
- Smart Extraction Capabilities: Streamlines user workflows with dedicated tools like 'Smart Extraction' and automatic 'Open folder after extraction', removing extra clicks during routine file management tasks.
- Broad Codec and Format Support: Synchronizes with the 7-Zip 26.00 mainline while adding extra compatibility for modern formats, including ASAR, Zstandard, and .NET Single File Application bundles.
- Enhanced Security Mitigations: Automatically propagates Mark-of-the-Web (MotW) to all extracted files by default, maintaining host system defense mechanisms against potentially unsafe internet downloads.
- MSIX Packaging: Simplifies deployment and updates through modern package formatting, allowing clean installation and uninstallation without leaving leftover registry clutter behind.
Use Cases
System administrators, developers doing professional work, and content creation teams benefit most from this application when handling large batches of compressed documents or archiving media for storage. It is especially useful for programmers inspecting specialized read-only images like WebAssembly binaries, as well as regular Windows 11 users who simply want their right-click zip options restored to the main menu without relying on manual registry edits.
With the release of version 6.0 in early 2026 by developer Kenji Mouri and the open-source community, NanaZip wraps the proven core of a legacy archiver in a secure, visually updated package, establishing itself as a premier extraction alternative for modern desktop environments.
Version 6.0.1632.0 — February 2026
- Transitioned the project to a new community-driven development model.
- Updated system requirements to Windows 10 version 2004 (Build 19041) or newer, and completely discontinued 32-bit (x86) support.
- Introduced official portable binary packages for both Modern and Classic editions, intended primarily for testing and debugging environments (excludes the NanaZip File Manager).
- Synchronized the underlying compression engine with the 7-Zip 26.00 mainline release for improved performance and algorithms.
- Revamped the user interface layout of the address bar to prevent cramped text.
- Fixed visual glitches in the 2-panel view by making the splitter bar completely white in light mode and adding proper Mica effect support in dark mode.
- Implemented dark mode support across Win32 task dialogs.
- Streamlined the "Folders History" menu by transitioning it to a native Win32 TaskDialog implementation.
- Rolled out Group Policy Administrative Templates (ADMX/ADML) to assist with enterprise configuration and management.
- Resolved several crash and hang bugs tied to read-only support for .NET Single File Application bundles and ROMFS filesystems.
- Addressed multiple security vulnerabilities and expanded security mitigation policies, including improved Mark of the Web (MoTW) enforcement and DLL planting protections.
