How to Open a TAR File on Windows
A .tar file bundles many files into one without compressing them. Drop it below to see what's inside and save any file – right on your Windows PC, without installing anything.
Drop a .zip, .tar.gz, .tgz, .tar or .gz file here
Nothing is uploaded · RAR and 7z aren't supported
Opened on your device. Your archive never leaves your browser.
Step by step: Open a TAR File on Windows
- 1
Open this page in Edge, Chrome or Firefox on your PC.
- 2
Drag the file from File Explorer onto the box above, or click the box to browse for it.
- 3
Every file inside is listed, with the total size.
- 4
Download all the files (or, in Chrome and Edge on a computer, save them straight into a folder). Click Download. The file goes to your Downloads folder (File Explorer › Downloads).
What you can do with the contents
- See what's inside before saving anything, then save every file in one go.
- Folders inside the archive are kept, so files stay organised.
About TAR files
- A .tar file bundles many files into one without compressing them. It's common on Linux and macOS but awkward to open on phones and older Windows PCs.
Tips for Windows PC
- Windows 11 can open TAR and TAR.GZ in File Explorer, but Windows 10 and older can't. A ZIP opens on every version.
- Nothing to install, so it works on work and school PCs where you can't add software.
Frequently asked questions
Is a .tar file safe to open?
Extracting an archive is safe in itself – nothing inside runs. Be careful with programs (.exe, .sh, .app) you then choose to open, as with any download.
Is there a size limit?
No fixed limit. Archives of hundreds of megabytes work on most computers; phones may struggle with very large ones because everything happens in memory.
Are my files uploaded to a server?
No. The conversion runs in your browser using your device's own processor, so your files never leave your device. You can even disconnect from the internet once the page has loaded.
Where does the converted file go on my Windows PC?
Click Download. The file goes to your Downloads folder (File Explorer › Downloads).
Need more options? Open the full Extract TAR.GZ tool →