WinZip's TAR GZ Opener Functionality
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To understand what a Tar GZ File is, you first need to understand what a TAR file is. Short for Tape Archive, a TAR file is used to store multiple files in one to send over the internet or for archiving purposes. Similarly, the TAR GZ file extension is created when compressing archived TAR files with the GNU zip utility.
In short, a TAR file creates one archive file out of multiple files without compressing them, while the GZ file format compresses a file without creating an archive. Combined into the tar GZ file extension, you can archive and compress multiple files into one.
Since the tar GZ file format is used to compress and store multiple files in one, it’s most commonly used to deliver package files, programs or installers online or simply for storing files locally.
By compressing several files into one Tar GZ file, you’ll be able to send multiple files as one single archived folder. This format can be sent by email or social media platforms that support the Tar GZ file format.
The tar GZ file extension is widely used on UNIX based operating systems but can also be used on Windows and macOS with WinZip.
Tar GZ files are most commonly used for:
With WinZip, you’ll be able to open and extract Tar GZ Files on both Windows and macOS by following these simple steps:
While Tar GZ can be opened and used on Windows and macOS with WinZip, you’re much more likely to spot the Tar GZ file format on Linux operating systems.
Since the Tar GZ file format is native to Linux, you can use the Linux command line to execute various commands on your Tar GZ files. With the Linux command line, you can create, open, and extract Tar GZ files by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T and following these simple commands:
While the TAR GZ file format may be more common for Linux, you may also create and compress TAR GZ files on other operating systems by using WinZip.
Creating Tar GZ files can be done quickly in Windows and macOS by using a file archiver that supports GZIP.
While WinZip does not create Tar GZ files, it does create Zip files. Zip files are similar to Tar GZ files and have many of the same benefits and more accessibility.
In order to create a Zip file, please follow these simple steps:
It’s generally a good idea to convert your TAR GZ file since it might not be compatible with the software you intend to use. ZIP is a more accessible compression format, and you can easily convert your TAR GZ file to ZIP using WinZip.
WinZip allows you to convert any TAR GZ file into a ZIP file. Giving you all the benefits of the GZ file format with added accessibility and ease of use.
Yes, Tar.GZ files are archive files that are considered very safe. However, if the contents inside the archive don’t come from a trusted source, it’s a good idea to extract and scan with an antivirus before executing.
A Tar file is an archive that consists of multiple files put into one, while GZ is a compressed file format. Thus, combining TAR and GZ into a TAR.GZ provides you with a compressed archive.
TAR was developed for Unix as early as 1979 and GZ later in 1992. These formats were later adopted to Linux. Being a native file format, it’s highly compatible and easy to use on those operating systems.
Yes, splitting and joining TAR GZ files is possible. It’s beneficial when sending large files, as you can send parts of it individually instead.
Yes, Tar GZ files can be converted into ZIP. To do so, you’ll need to launch WinZip and follow these steps.
We designed WinZip to open and extract from the widest range of file formats, including all of the following:
Get WinZip now to open your TAR-GZ file(s), then enjoy all that the world's most popular compression utility has to offer, including the easiest and most practical file compression, encryption, packaging, file management and data backup capabilities.
