3 steps to open file with TAR extension
Usually solving problems with TAR file is simple – just install proper software and open the file. Read the guide and open TAR file now!
TAR File Extension
- File type Consolidated Unix Format Archive
- File developer Jean-loup Gailly
- File category Data Files
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File popularity rating
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What is a(n) TAR file?
TAR (Consolidated Unix Format Archive) is a widely used file format for storing and distributing collections of files or full directory structures. It can be used to back up and store data in an efficient and space-saving way. A tar archive can contain multiple files in one file with the extension of .TAR or .TAR.GZ. Files in a tar archive are compressed so that the total size of the archive is smaller than the sum of the sizes of the individual files.
TAR provides support for file permissions, user IDs, group IDs, and file tagging. It also supports sparse files. A sparse file is a type of file that contains randomly distributed "hole"data which takes up less space in memory than actual data blocks.
How to open TAR file?
There could be multiple reasons for which the system does not support given file. In the case of TAR extension, it is probable that none of the installed programs support given file type. Therefore, user should undertake the following steps
Step 1: Install a program that supports TAR files
If an application that supports TAR files is installed on user’s system, but is not used to open such files by default, right-click on the file icon and choose "Open with" option from the menu. Next, select the proper application and check the "Always use the selected application to open this kind of files" box. The system will store this information in its registry and use the selected program to open files with TAR extension by default.
Hint for Mac OS users
For Mac OS users the procedure is analogous – open the file menu by right-clicking on the TAR file and choose "Information" option and select "Open with program" option. From the submenu select an application and click on "Change all" button.
Step 2: Find and download proper software
Inability to open TAR files may also be related to the lack of any application that supports given file being installed on the system. Should that be the case, user needs to download and install one of the following applications. Once installed, the system will automatically associate newly installed application with TAR files. If this step fails, see step 1.
Programs that support files with TAR extension
Step 3: Check the TAR file for errors
Sometimes, although relatively rarely, steps 1 and 2 might not lead to expected results. There can be several reasons for such situation to occur:
- TAR file has been downloaded from the internet but for some reason it is incomplete. In such case the file should be re-downloaded and opened again.
- Structure of given TAR file could be corrupted and as such the program is not able to open the file
- Storage medium on which the file was stored is damaged
- It is important to ascertain that the icon representing given file is not a shortcut a related TAR file no longer present in the location to which the shortcut points
- If the user account has restricted access privileges it is advised to contact the system administrator or an IT expert
