Should you update to 7-Zip 26.02?
No: install 7-Zip 26.03 instead. 7-Zip 26.02 is a security update Igor Pavlov released on 25 Jun 2026 for Windows. It fixes 1 security flaw, 0 rated critical and 1 high by Igor Pavlov.[1] None of them is known to be used in attacks.
It has since been replaced by 7-Zip 26.03, released 3 Sep 2026, which includes all of its fixes. If you’re on an older version, install that instead.
Should you update?
No: install 7-Zip 26.03 instead. 7-Zip 26.03 came out on 3 Sep 2026 and includes every fix in 7-Zip 26.02, so there’s no reason to stop at this one. Software Update offers the newest version your device can run.
Is 7-Zip 26.02 still safe?
Not any more. 7-Zip 26.03 fixes 1 security flaw that 7-Zip 26.02 doesn’t, and each became public the day its fix shipped. Installing it is safe: get it only from 7-zip.org, never from a link in an email, text or pop-up.
What it fixes
Igor Pavlov lists 1 security flaw, 0 rated critical and 1 high by Igor Pavlov.[1] The critical or high one is:
| Flaw | Severity | What Igor Pavlov calls it |
|---|---|---|
CVE-2026-14266 | High | XZ Decompression Heap-based Buffer Overflow Remote Code Execution |
How to update, and how long it takes
A minute. Close any 7-Zip windows first.
- Go to 7-zip.org and download the 64-bit Windows version at the top.7-Zip has no updater of its own, so this is the only way to get fixes.
- Run the download and click Install.It installs over the old version and keeps your settings.
To check it worked: Open 7-Zip File Manager and choose Help → About 7-Zip: the version is on the first line. It should say 26.03 or later.
Before and after
- After: 7-Zip 26.03, 3 Sep 2026, 1 security flaw
- 7-Zip updates, every release and the latest version
- Updates, the latest version of everything HARD tracks
References
- ^ Igor Pavlov. “7-Zip 26.02 history”, 25 Jun 2026.