Tips to open EAR file

Can't open the EAR file? You are not the only one. Thousands of users face similar problems every day. Below you will find tips on how to open EAR files as well as a list of programs that support EAR files.

EAR file extension

File Name Java Enterprise Archive Format
File Developer Oracle
File Category Executable Files

The EAR file is supported on 4 operating systems. Depending on your operating system, you may need different software to handle the EAR files. Below is a summary of the number of programs that support and open the EAR file on each system platform.

Operating systems
  • 6
  • 2
  • 2
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

What is EAR file?

The file in the EAR format belongs to the Executable Files category. The creator of this file is Oracle. In addition to this file, the Executable Files category includes 140 related files. Java Enterprise Archive Format is supported by 4 operating systems. The file will work on , Linux, Mac OS, Windows systems, unfortunately not on others. Alternatively, you can use 10 other programs. The ALZip, PeaZip, ZipZag, Apache Geronimo programs will also handle the file when the GlassFish Server program does not fulfill its role.

How to open EAR file?

An often recurring problem with Java Enterprise Archive Format is that EAR is not associated with the correct program file. Thus, when you open EAR, the program selection wizard or some other program starts. This can be quickly resolved by following the instructions below.

The first thing you should do is just "doubleclick" on the EAR file icon you want to open. If the operating system has an appropriate application to support it and there is also an association between the file and the program, the file should be opened.

Step 1. Install GlassFish Server

An often overlooked issue is to make sure that GlassFish Server is installed on the computer. The easiest method is to use the system search engine by entering the program name GlassFish Server in it. If we do not have this program, it is worth installing it, as it will help you automatically associate the file EAR with GlassFish Server. Below you will find a list of applications that support EAR files.

Step 2. Create association of GlassFish Server with EAR files

If, despite the installed application, the EAR file does not start in the GlassFish Server application, you must create a file association. It is most convenient to call the context menu with the right mouse button and select Properties. The window will show, among other things, the type of the file and the information by which the program is used to launch the file. Using the "Change" button we can select the desired program. If there is no software on the list, simply select "Browse" and manually select the directory where the application is installed. The "always use the selected program ..." field will set the GlassFish Server application as the default for handling the EAR file.

Step 3. Update GlassFish Server to the latest version

The fault may also lie with the GlassFish Server program, it is possible that Java Enterprise Archive Format requires a newer version of the program.

Step 4. Check for the following problems with the EAR file

If the above steps do not help, you can assume that the file itself is not correct. File problems can be divided into the following:

Very often, the file may be size 0 or incomplete. This is most often caused by a problem while downloading the EAR file. The only repair option is to download the file again.
The most common cause here is computer viruses. A virus scan using an up-to-date antivirus program should fix the problem. Alternatively, you can use the scanners available online. However, it is important to scan the entire system, not only the file EAR or the program directory. Sometimes virus-infected EAR files cannot be recovered, so make a backup in advance.
Older version of EAR file may not always be supported by the latest software version. Help should be sought from the software developer, as they usually recommend using free file converters or installing an older version of the program.
The file may be corrupted in a number of ways. Depending on the type of file, it is necessary to repair it accordingly. Some programs offer the ability to automatically repair EAR file corruption.
The program indicates that the file is encrypted or corrupted. The encrypted EAR files can be used by the device on which they were encrypted, on any other device it is required to have the appropriate cryptographic key and decrypt the file before its recovery.
Some operating systems do not allow file operations in certain locations, eg in system directories or directly on the system drive. While there is usually no problem reading such a file, it may not be possible to save it. Copying the EAR file to another location will fix the problem.
This problem only occurs with more complex files. Some file types can only be opened in one program at a time. Running programs (including those in the background) should be verified. If the error persists after closing other programs, wait for a while. Antivirus programs or a backup being made may lock the file for a while without the user's knowledge. If this does not work either, restart the device.