Tips to open GZ file

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

GZ file extension

File Name Gnu Zipped Archive
File Developer The GNU Project
File Category Compressed Files

The GZ file is supported on 3 operating systems. Depending on your operating system, you may need different software to handle the GZ files. Below is a summary of the number of programs that support and open the GZ file on each system platform.

Operating systems
  • 8
  • 3
  • 3
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

What is GZ file?

The .GZ file is an archive file in the GNU Zip format. It is the most popular solution on UNIX systems. It is associated with the ZIP format, but has nothing to do with it. This format is widespread on most operating systems and you should have no problems unpacking it using archiving programs. Files packed in this way may have, apart from the .GZ extension, also the .TGZ extension or a double .TAR.GZ. Both variants mean that the content was originally archived with the TAR program.

How to open GZ file?

An often recurring problem with Gnu Zipped Archive is that GZ is not associated with the correct program file. This is manifested by the fact that GZ files open in unusual applications or do not have an assigned program. This problem can be easily remedied.

The first thing you should do is just "doubleclick" on the GZ 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 iArchiver

The first step is to check if the computer has the iArchiver program installed. This can be achieved by typing iArchiver into the operating system search engine. In the absence of an appropriate program, its installation in the vast majority of cases will fix the problem. Below is a list of programs that support the file GZ.

Step 2. Create association of iArchiver with GZ files

However, it may happen that the application itself does not cause the GZ file to open in the iArchiver application, but you can set it manually. This option is available from the level of Properties of a specific file available in the context menu. 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. The program should be visible in the window, otherwise it should be selected manually using the "Browse" button and the program installation directory should be indicated. Checking the "Always use the selected program ..." box will permanently associate the GZ file with the iArchiver program.

Step 3. Update iArchiver to the latest version

The fault may also lie with the iArchiver program, it is possible that Gnu Zipped Archive requires a newer version of the program.

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

The problem may also be with the file itself if the above steps don't work. 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 GZ file. Downloading the file again should fix the problem.
The most common cause here is computer viruses. Perform a virus scan using available and up-to-date anti-virus software. If this is not possible, you can use the online scanner. The scan should cover the entire computer, not only the GZ file that we want to open. However, remember that not every infected GZ file can be recovered, so it is important to take care of regular backups.
Older version of GZ file may not always be supported by the latest software version. On their websites, developers usually offer free solutions to such problems, e.g. in the form of a conversion program or an older version of the program.
There can be many reasons for this. The repair method must be adapted to the type of file and damage. Sometimes the program itself has options to repair the most popular GZ file corruption.
The program can also signal the fact of encryption. The encrypted file GZ except for the special designation, works normally, but only on the device where it was encrypted, before transferring it to another machine, decryption is required.
The operating system protects files in some locations (e.g. the root of the system partition) against unauthorized access. These directories are write-protected to them and it's very hard to fix this problem. It is best to move GZ to a different directory.
This problem usually affects more complex files. You may find that another program you are using is preventing you from working with the file. Closing other programs should help. Sometimes you have to wait for the session to the file GZ to close. However, some background programs may block the GZ file while scanning. If this does not work either, restart the device.