How to Edit Text Files Inside Archives Using 7-Zip

This guide explains how to view and edit text files directly within compressed archives using 7-Zip without having to manually extract the entire archive beforehand. By using 7-Zip’s built-in viewing and editing functions, you can open documents in your preferred text editor, make changes, and automatically save the updated files back into the original archive.

Step 1: Open the Archive in 7-Zip File Manager

  1. Open 7-Zip File Manager.
  2. Navigate to the location of your compressed file (such as .zip, .7z, or .tar) or right-click the archive in Windows File Explorer and choose 7-Zip > Open archive.
  3. Browse through the folder structure inside the archive to find the text file you wish to inspect or modify.

Step 2: Configure Your Preferred Text Editor (Optional)

By default, 7-Zip uses standard Windows Notepad for editing. If you prefer an alternative editor such as Notepad++ or Visual Studio Code, you can set it as the default:

  1. Inside 7-Zip File Manager, click Tools in the top menu bar.
  2. Select Options, then switch to the Editor tab.
  3. In the Editor field, click the browse button (...) and select the executable (.exe) file of your desired text editor.
  4. Click Apply and then OK.

Step 3: View a Text File

To read a file without risking accidental modifications:

  1. Select the text file inside 7-Zip File Manager.
  2. Press F3 on your keyboard, or right-click the file and select View.
  3. The file will open in 7-Zip's read-only viewer or your configured viewer.

Step 4: Edit and Update the File

To make changes to a text file and save them back into the archive:

  1. Select the file inside 7-Zip File Manager.
  2. Press F4, or right-click the file and choose Edit.
  3. The file will open in your assigned text editor. Make your desired modifications.
  4. Save the file normally (press Ctrl + S or choose File > Save).
  5. Close the text editor window.
  6. Return to 7-Zip File Manager. A prompt will appear stating: "File '[filename]' was modified. Do you want to update it in the archive?"
  7. Click OK (or Yes) to commit the changes. 7-Zip will repack the file with the new data.

Important Considerations

  • Archive Permissions: Ensure the archive is not marked as read-only or stored in a protected directory (such as C:\Program Files) without administrative privileges, or 7-Zip will not be able to save the changes.
  • Archive Format Support: Modifying files directly works with read/write archive formats such as ZIP, 7z, and TAR. Proprietary formats like RAR are supported by 7-Zip for extraction and viewing only, meaning you cannot write modifications back to a RAR archive.