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.tar.gz files are commonly known as tarballs.
First, lets understand what the difference between .tar&.tar.gzfile format and the benefits of it.
Then well jump into the step-by-step process of unzipping on both Linux and Windows platforms.
.tar Files
The .tar extension stands for tape archive.
A .tar file is an archive that does not undergo any compression.
It just bundles files & directories together while preserving their file structure and metadata.
This means it takes all the specified files and puts them together into one container.
But it does not compress the data, which results in a larger file size compared to compressed formats.
.tar.gz Files
These files are a combination of two steps: Archiving and Compression.
The .tar.gz extension indicates a file that is a .tar archive and compressed using the gzip utility.
This format is common in the Unix/Linux world and is widely used to create compressed archives.
Here are some general differences between the .tar and .tar.gz files.
When the archive is extracted, these attributes are restored.
That means they maintain their original characteristics.
This simplifies file management and reduces the risk of data loss during transfers.
Checksum Integrity
gzip compression uses a checksum to ensure data integrity.
Open Source Standard
The .tar.gzformat is an open-source standard.
That means it is not tied to any specific proprietary software.
Lets explore the extraction process for both Linux & Windows platforms.
Method 1:Using the Command Line
Step 1:Open a terminal.
Step 2:Navigate to the directory where your file is located using the cd command.
you could notice in the above image that the archive files are extracted in the same working directory.
Step 2:Right-snag the .tar.gz file.
The files will be extracted to the selected location.
It offers AES-256 encryption to protect sensitive data within archives.
Users can utilize the 7-zip command-line interface for automated & scripted extraction tasks.
Step 1:Visit theofficial website& download the suitable version for your Windows OS.
Step 2:Install 7-Zip by following the on-screen instructions.
Step 3:Navigate to the directory and right-press the file you want to extract.
Step 4:Hover over the 7-Zip option, and choose Extract Here from the context menu.
Method 2:Using WinRAR
WinRARis a popular file compression & archive utility software.
Step 1:WinRAR comes pre-installed on almost every Windows system.
In case its missing, download and install from theofficial website.
WinRAR is distributed as shareware.
That means users can download and use it for free during a trial period.
.tar.gzfiles offer an organized way to store & distribute multiple files while saving disk space.
Whether you prefer command-line tools or graphical file archivers, the extraction process is pretty simple.
In Linux, users have multiple ways to extract .tar.gzfiles through the terminal and graphical file archivers.
You may also be interested in learning about the best WinZip alternatives to compress files.
