Unzip GZ File: How to Open GZ Files on Windows & Linux CMD Guide


how to unzip gz file in windows

They’re often used in Unix and Linux systems but can be opened in Windows 11 with the right tools. To summarize, you can easily extract files from archives with the .gz file extension by turning to archiving tools that support this format. 7-Zip is an awesome choice for Windows and Linux users since it’s completely free for both personal and commercial purposes. Now that we know what gz files are, let’s look into ways of unzipping or opening them. Since after all, it’s only after decompression that the files are of any use or not. That said, even if you are on another system, you will still be able to open these files, just the methods will be different.

Step 2: Right-click on the GZ file

7-Zip and WinRAR are popular choices among users for their reliability and ease of use. Once installed, these programs integrate with the context menu in Windows, making it easy to access their features. To unzip a GZ file on Windows, Linux or macOS, you need an archiving tool that supports the .gz file extension.

  1. GZ files are a kind of archive formats that were compressed with the standard GNU zip (gzip) compression algorithm.
  2. Using the Terminal, you can extract all the files inside your GZ archive using a single command.
  3. Since after all, it’s only after decompression that the files are of any use or not.
  4. That said, even if you are on another system, you will still be able to open these files, just the methods will be different.
  5. Yes, you will need a file archiver like 7-Zip or WinRAR to open and extract the contents of a GZ file on Windows 11.

He has a decade of experience writing how-tos, features, and technology guides on the internet. Once the files are uncompressed, click Download or Save button to save these files on your device. It is very easy to unzip a GZ file on Windows 10 using Command Prompt, also known as cmd.

Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his more major retailers are getting ready to accept bitcoin primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com. Like any file, GZ files can be used to distribute harmful software, so always ensure you trust the source of the file before opening it.

Using the Terminal to Unzip a GZ File on macOS

Press the Windows key, type Command Prompt and click Run as administrator. If your target folder looks empty even after successfully running the command, that’s probably because you ran the it without admin privileges. Open the Command Prompt with administrative rights, and you should be fine. Did you just download a GZ file, and now you’re unsure how to open it? Worry not, as we’ll cover what a GZ file is and how to open it on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

The above methods work on all the popular platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. You can open GZ files without using any third-party tools on your Mac. Again, you can either use the Terminal to extract files from a GZ archive or the built-in macOS tool to decompress your files. These GZ files are developed and used commonly in Linux distros and macOS. This does not mean that we cannot open GZ will other companies follow tesla into bitcoin stock 2020 files in Windows and Android. It is one of the file compressors using the GNU zip compression algorithm.

It’s a free archiving utility for both personal and commercial purposes, which offers support for the .gz file extension. Archives are compressed files that allow you to store other types of files into smaller containers. All you need is a file archiver like 7-Zip or WinRAR, and you can easily extract the contents of the GZ file. Simply download and install the archiver, right-click on the GZ file, select the appropriate option to extract the file, and voila! Renaming the file with a .gz file or with another extension will not extract the files. You will need conversion software to perform compression or extraction process.

how to unzip gz file in windows

Step 3: Select “Extract Here” or “7-Zip > Extract files”

You would have come across ZIP files often, but GZ might be rare to you. If you have received a GZ file for the first time, then it may raise a few questions such as how to open GZ file in Windows 10, in Android phones, or online. You may face similar concerns while opening JAR files.. Like ZIP, you can simply double-click on your GZ archive, and it should start extracting its content. You can do this from any Finder window on your Mac, and your extracted files will be available in a new folder in the same directory as the original GZ archive. Open the destination folder to access the extracted files.

Method 2 : Using graphical archive manager

Another way to open a GZ archive in macOS is to use free apps. There are popular options, like The Unarchiver or Keka (paid on the macOS App Store but free on the developer’s site). Both apps support several other formats as well, including ZIP and RAR. Archive types like RAR require an app to decompress on macOS, but you don’t need to do that for GZ. Yes, you will need a file archiver like 7-Zip or WinRAR to open and extract the contents of a GZ file on Windows 11. Pete loves all things technology and is also an avid DIYer at heart.

Remember, the key to success with GZ files is having the right tools and following the steps carefully. So go ahead, give it a try, and you’ll see that dealing with GZ files on Windows 11 is a piece of cake. Who knows, maybe you’ll become the go-to person for file extraction among your friends and colleagues! If you moon bag crypto meaning have been on Linux for sometime you might have come across another file extension .tar.gz.