Tips to open TAR file

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

TAR file extension

File Name Consolidated Unix Format Archive
File Developer Jean-loup Gailly
File Category Data Files

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

Operating systems
  • 8
  • 6
  • 3
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

What is TAR file?

A .TAR file is an archive file. It is the most popular archiving format on UNIX systems. The main role is to consolidate the resource into one file. The format itself does not offer compression, but often the resulting file is still compressed to give the .TAR.GZ extension. Some tools automatically execute both processes creating a .TGZ file. Virtually both extensions are used interchangeably. .TAR files are so common that it shouldn't be a problem to unpack them with any tool regardless of the platform.

How to open TAR file?

An often recurring problem with Consolidated Unix Format Archive is that TAR is not associated with the correct program file. This is manifested by the fact that TAR files open in unusual applications or do not have an assigned program. This can be quickly resolved by following the instructions below.

The first thing you should do is just "doubleclick" on the TAR 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 Apple Archive Utility

An often overlooked issue is to make sure that Apple Archive Utility is installed on the computer. To do this, enter the name Apple Archive Utility into the system search engine. In the absence of an appropriate program, its installation in the vast majority of cases will fix the problem. Later in this article you will find a list of programs that can open TAR files.

Step 2. Create association of Apple Archive Utility with TAR files

If, despite the installed application, the TAR file does not start in the Apple Archive Utility application, you must create a file association. This option is available from the level of Properties of a specific file available in the context menu. The displayed window will contain information about the program that supports this type of file. Changes can be made using the "Change" button. If there is no software on the list, simply select "Browse" and manually select the directory where the application is installed. Checking the "Always use the selected program ..." box will permanently associate the TAR file with the Apple Archive Utility program.

Step 3. Update Apple Archive Utility to the latest version

The fault may also lie with the Apple Archive Utility program, it is possible that Consolidated Unix Format Archive requires a newer version of the program.

Step 4. Check for the following problems with the TAR 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 affected file may be 0 KB or smaller than expected. This suggests truncating the TAR file contents when downloading or copying. 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. The scan should cover the entire computer, not only the TAR file that we want to open. Sometimes virus-infected TAR files cannot be recovered, so make a backup in advance.
This can happen especially when the program is dynamically developed and the structure of the TAR files changes over time. Help should be sought from the software developer, as they usually recommend using free file converters or installing an older version of the program.
There can be many reasons for this. Repairing is very dependent on the file type. Some programs offer the ability to automatically repair TAR file corruption.
The program can also signal the fact of encryption. The encrypted TAR files cannot be played on other computers than the one on which they were encrypted, they must be decrypted before using on another device.
Some of the system directories are excluded from modification. These directories are write-protected to them and it's very hard to fix this problem. It is best to move TAR to a different directory.
This problem usually affects more complex files. Some file types can only be opened in one program at a time. Closing other programs should help. If the error persists after closing other programs, wait for a while. Some anti-virus or backup software may occupy the TAR file for a certain period of time. If the problem persists, restart the machine.