TAR File – What is .tar file and how to open it?

TAR Format

A TAR file, short for Tape Archive, is a format used to store multiple files in a single archive, typically used for backup and distribution purposes. Developed by AT&T Labs, the TAR format was originally designed to store files on magnetic tape in a portable manner. However, it has since become a versatile format used in various operating systems and applications.

Features and Applications

TAR files provide a straightforward and efficient method for bundling multiple files into a single entity. They can contain both regular files, directories, and special devices, making them suitable for a wide range of use cases. Additionally, TAR files support file compression using various algorithms, such as gzip or bzip2, reducing their size for more efficient storage and transmission. The TAR format is widely adopted in Linux-based systems and is also supported by various software tools on other platforms. It is commonly used for creating backups, archiving data, and distributing software packages.

Opening TAR Files on Unix-Based Systems

TAR files, commonly found on Unix-based systems such as Linux and macOS, can be opened using the tar command. This command offers a comprehensive set of options for extracting, listing, and modifying TAR archives. To extract the contents of a TAR file, use the following syntax:


tar -xvf archive.tar


This command expands the files within the archive into the current directory. Additionally, you can use the -c flag to create new TAR archives, the -t flag to list the contents of an archive, and the -z flag to compress or decompress TAR archives.

Opening TAR Files on Windows Systems

Opening TAR files on Windows systems requires third-party software. One popular option is 7-Zip, a free and open-source file archiver that supports a wide range of file formats. To open a TAR file using 7-Zip, right-click on the file and select “7-Zip” > “Extract files”. Alternatively, you can use a dedicated TAR utility such as WinRAR, which provides additional features like password protection and file splitting.

TAR File Format

TAR (Tape Archive) is a file format used to collect multiple files into a single archive file. It was originally designed by AT&T Labs in the 1970s to facilitate the storage and transportation of data on magnetic tapes. Over time, TAR has become a widely recognized and widely used archive format across various operating systems, including Unix, Linux, and macOS.

TAR files are composed of individual file entries, each of which contains the attributes, permissions, and data of the original file. These file entries are organized sequentially within the archive, providing a consistent and flexible structure. TAR files can be manipulated using various tools and utilities, such as the ‘tar’ command, which allows users to create, extract, and modify the contents of the archive.

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