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7-Zip is required by the WimExplorer UI — if it is not detected on startup, a modal blocks use until you install it or specify its path. The server can fall back to wimlib-imagex dir for listing, but without 7-Zip the Size and Date Modified columns will be blank and the startup modal will not be dismissed until 7-Zip is configured.

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Why 7-Zip Is Used

WimExplorer uses 7-Zip (7z.exe) to extract rich metadata from WIM, ESD, and SWM files — specifically file sizes and modification dates. This data is displayed in the content table alongside each file entry. When 7-Zip is not available, the app uses wimlib-imagex dir as a fallback. This still lists all files and folders, but the Size and Date Modified columns remain empty.

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Automatic Detection on Startup

Every time WimExplorer starts, it runs an automatic detection routine (detect7z) that scans the following locations in order:
  1. C:\Program Files\7-Zip\7z.exe
  2. C:\Program Files (x86)\7-Zip\7z.exe
  3. C:\ProgramData\chocolatey\bin\7z.exe
  4. %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\WindowsApps\7z.exe
  5. All directories listed in the system PATH environment variable
If 7z.exe is found in any of these locations, it is used automatically and no further configuration is needed.

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If 7-Zip Is Not Found

If detection fails, a modal appears with three options:
OptionAction
Install automaticallyRuns winget install 7zip.7zip --silent in the background
I already have 7-ZipOpens a folder browser to point to your existing install
Exit WimExplorerCloses the application
After an automatic winget install, detection runs again immediately. If 7-Zip is found, the app continues normally.

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Status Indicator

The 7z button in the application header shows a colored dot indicating the current 7-Zip status:
  • Green dot — 7-Zip is detected and ready
  • Red dot — 7-Zip was not found
Clicking the button displays the current status details: the resolved path, detection type, and whether it is available.

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Manual Path Configuration

If 7-Zip is installed in a non-standard location, you can point WimExplorer to it manually.
1

Click the 7z button in the header

The 7z status button is located in the top header bar. Clicking it opens the 7-Zip status panel.
2

Choose 'I already have 7-Zip'

Select the option to browse for an existing installation.
3

Select the folder containing 7z.exe

Use the folder browser to navigate to the directory that contains 7z.exe. You do not need to select the file itself — just the containing folder.
4

Confirm detection

WimExplorer will search the selected folder (and a 7-Zip subfolder within it) for 7z.exe. If found, the status dot turns green and the path is saved for the current session.
You can also set a custom path programmatically via POST /api/7z-set-path with a JSON body containing { "dirPath": "C:\\path\\to\\your\\7zip" }.

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Behavior During Write Operations

Before any write operation (add, replace, delete), WimExplorer automatically terminates any active 7z.exe process. This prevents file-lock conflicts that would otherwise cause wimlib to fail with a permission error.

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