Convert 7-Zip archives (.7z) into Self-Extracting archives (.exe) from Windows Explorer.

 7-Zip file archiver, written by Igor Pavlov is one of the most popular archiver due to its high compression ratio and offcource being free.

A 7-Zip Self-Extracting (SFX) archive is a stand-alone program file (Windows .exe file) that can unpack the 7z archive (stored inside it) without needing 7-Zip or any other tools. This is actually a .7z file bundled with a small program (stub) that extracts the files directly from the merged .7z file to the folder specified by the user.

you need to have got the two following tools.

• Paquet Builder – Freeware (or Registered) Edition. Paquet Builder can convert 7-Zip, Cabinet and Zip archives into simple or advanced Self-Extractors in .exe format. It can also create .7z, .cab and .zip files itself.
   
• Shell extension for Paquet Builder (free add-on): allows you to access to the Paquet Builder features directly from Windows Explorer (context menu).

1. Open Windows Explorer and locate the 7-Zip archive you want to convert. For this article, we will convert “demo.7z”.

2. Highlight the 7-Zip archive and right click on it to display the mouse context menu:

3. Select “Convert to a Self-Extracting .exe“.

Note that this menu will only appear if the shell extension is installed.

4. The following dialog box will appear:

You can modify the pre-defined settings if you wish. Otherwise click on “Create” to continue.

6. Paquet Builder will be opened silently and some seconds after that, your Self-Extracting archive is created if everything was fine.

7. If you launch the .exe file, you (and anyone you send the .exe to) will see this result:

 

You select the path where you want your files to be extracted to and you click Next. 7-Zip is not required at all.

You can change the title “Paquet Archive” using the “Archive Title” field.

Click on “Advanced Options” to change some default parameters:

• “Description” lets you change the text that appears in the Welcome step of the wizard.
• You can even specify an icon file for the Self-Extracting .exe file.

You can even change the splash bitmap, the homepage URL and the text of the Welcome dialog in Paquet Builder.

» Customizing the Self-Extracting archive

Paquet Builder can create tailored Self-Extracting archives: you can customize your SFX archives from A to Z in a snap.

If you would like to create more advanced Self-Extracting archives, you can use Paquet Builder:

• enable “Open Paquet Builder to modify the package” and Paquet Builder will be opened when you click on Create. Your Self-Extracting archive is not created until you compile it in Paquet Builder.
   
• or you can enable “Create a Paquet Builder project file when compiling“. In this case, the Self-Extracting archive is created and a project file (.pbp extension) is also output. Then double-click on this .pbp file to open Paquet Builder.

With Paquet Builder you could add a lot of additional features to your Self-Extracting archive:

• display some prompt messages at startup.
• show readme, license agreements, etc…
• select a different default destination folder for your files.
• create shortcuts to the output files.
• execute additional programs or open document files.
• add a uninstaller.
• digitally sign the .exe file if you have a certificate.
• and much more.