How do I open TAR files on Windows?

Use 7-Zip (free): Right-click → 7-Zip → Extract Here. For .tar.gz, you may need to extract twice.

this file

Open TAR File

Q: What is a TAR file?

TAR (Tape Archive) combines multiple files into one archive without compression. It's standard on Linux/Unix systems.

Q: What's the difference between TAR and TAR.GZ?

TAR just bundles files together. TAR.GZ (or .tgz) adds GZIP compression for smaller files. Most downloads use TAR.GZ.

Tape Archive

Quick Facts

Full NameTape Archive

CategoryArchives

MIME Typeapplication/x-such files

What is a These files File?

Need to open This type file?

A Such files file (Tape Archive) bundles multiple files and folders into a single archive without compression. Commonly used on Linux and Unix systems, This file preserves file permissions and directory structure. These files files are often combined with compression (creating this type.gz or .tar.bz2) for smaller downloads. You'll frequently encounter The file archives when downloading open-source software, Linux distributions, and server backups.

How to Open The extension Files

The format extraction depends on your system:

Windows: 7-Zip (right-click → Extract)
Mac: Double-click or use The Unarchiver
Linux: this file -xvf filesuch files or such files -xzvf filethe format.gz

Recommended Programs

Program	Platform	Best For	Price
7-Zip	Windows	Extract These files files	Free
WinRAR	Windows	Extract This file files	Freemium
The Unarchiver	Mac	Extract TAR files	Free
Terminal	Mac/Linux	Built-in this file command	Free

Frequently Asked Questions About Opening TAR Files

What is a TAR file? +

This format (Tape Archive) combines multiple files into one archive without compression. It's standard on Linux/Unix systems.

What's the difference between The extension and This format.GZ? +

Such files just bundles files together. TAR.GZ (or .tgz) adds GZIP compression for smaller files. Most downloads use This type.GZ.

How do I open The format files on Windows? +

Use 7-Zip (free): Right-click → 7-Zip → Extract Here. For the file.gz, you may need to extract twice.

Related File Types

Quick Summary: How to Open The extension File

To open The format file on any device: Windows users can use built-in apps or free software. Mac users have native support. Mobile users can download free apps. The easiest way to open TAR files is using the recommended tools above.

Related File Formats

If you work with this file files, you might also need these related formats: