How to Open .tar.gz Files on Windows

Someone sent a .tar.gz file to my Windows PC. How can I open it?

A .tar.gz file is a compressed archive, similar to a zip file or a RAR file. In order to open a .tar.gz file, you need special software that knows how to decompress the archive.

7-Zip is a free file archiver that runs on Windows and can open .tar.gz files. Download and install 7-Zip, and you will be able to open up your .tar.gz file.

If 7-Zip does not launch when you double-click the .tar.gz file, ensure that 7-Zip is set to handle these types of files by default.

• Open up 7-Zip
• Click Tools → Options
• Go to the “System” tab.
• Make sure “tar” and “gz” are checked off.
• Click “OK”.

Now go back and try to open your .tar.gz file. 7-Zip will start up and decompress the archive.