Tips to open JAR file
Can't open the JAR file? You are not the only one. Thousands of users face similar problems every day. Below you will find tips on how to open JAR files as well as a list of programs that support JAR files.
JAR file extension
| File Name |
Java Archive Format |
| File Developer |
Oracle |
| File Category |
Executable Files |
The JAR file is supported on 3 operating systems. Depending on your operating system, you may need different software to handle the JAR files. Below is a summary of the number of programs that support and open the JAR file on each system platform.
What is JAR file?
A .JAR file is a JAVA platform executable. It is a packed program written in this technology. You can extract the content with the archiver, but ultimately the file should be run in a compressed version. The program can be signed with a digital signature, which will make the user confident about the publisher. The big advantage of JAVA programming, apart from the fact that programs can be written for various operating systems, is the fact that .JAR files can also be run in a browser.
How to open JAR file?
The main problem with Java Archive Format is that the JAR file is incorrectly associated with programs. This is manifested by the fact that JAR 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 JAR 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 WinZip
An often overlooked issue is to make sure that WinZip is installed on the computer. The easiest method is to use the system search engine by entering the program name WinZip in it. If we do not have this program, it is worth installing it, as it will help you automatically associate the file JAR with WinZip. Below is a list of programs that support the file JAR.
Programs to open JAR file
Remember to download programs supporting JAR files only from verified and safe sources. We suggest using the websites of software developers.
Step 2. Create association of WinZip with JAR files
However, it may happen that the application itself does not cause the JAR file to open in the WinZip 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. Changes can be made using the "Change" button. 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. The "always use the selected program ..." field will set the WinZip application as the default for handling the JAR file.
Step 3. Update WinZip to the latest version
If, despite the association of the WinZip program with the Java Archive Format file, the file still does not open, check the program version and possibly update it to the newest version. In this case, use the WinZip Computing, S.L. website or update the program from the application.
Step 4. Check for the following problems with the JAR file
The problem may also be with the file itself if the above steps don't work. This could be due to the file itself, the cleanest issues are:
The JAR file may be unusually small compared to the original file. Usually this applies to JAR files downloaded from the Internet in case the download did not finish properly. The file should be downloaded again, making sure that the process has finished correctly.
The computer may have fallen victim to a computer virus or hacker. A virus scan using an up-to-date antivirus program should fix the problem. Alternatively, you can use the scanners available online. The scan should cover the entire computer, not only the JAR file that we want to open. As a result of the scan, sometimes it is not possible to recover JAR files, which are deleted if there is a backup of this file, then after restoring it, it must also be scanned.
A typical compatibility error - the program does not support the older version of the JAR file. 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 option of recovering data from damaged JAR files. You can restore the file from a backup or use Oracle help.
The program indicates that the file is encrypted or corrupted. The encrypted JAR 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 of the system directories are excluded from modification. While there is usually no problem reading such a file, it may not be possible to save it. It is best to move JAR to a different directory.
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. Sometimes it is necessary to wait a while before referencing the JAR file again. 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.
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