Types of TAR Files

Principal TAR Type

.TAR

File Format:	.tar
Group:	Consolidated Unix File Archive

Tar archive is a Unix-based utility used to package files together. It contains multiple files stored in an uncompressed format.

Organization:	Jean-loup Gailly and Mark Adler
Function:	Data Files
Registry Key:	HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.tar

Software Programs That Open The Consolidated Unix File Archive:

7-Zip by Igor Pavlov

Windows

Android

Linux

WinRAR by Eugene Roshal

Windows

Mac

Android

Linux

Apple Archive Utility by Apple

Mac

Smith Micro StuffIt Deluxe by Smith Micro Software

Windows

	Mac
	iOS

Android

The Unarchiver by Dag Agren, Circlesoft

Mac

Corel WinZip 21 by Corel

Windows

	Mac
	iOS

Android

WinAce by e-merge GmbH

Windows

PeaZip by Open Source

Windows

Linux

GNU Tar by GNU Operating System

Mac

Linux

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Sources of TAR Problems

Frequent TAR Opening Issues

7-Zip Disappeared

If you attempt to load your TAR file, you experience a message such as "Can't Open TAR Files". Customarily, this means that 7-Zip is not installed on - . Because your operating system doesn't know what to do with this file, you won't be able to open it by double-clicking.

Tip: Another TAR-related program can be selected to open the file by clicking "Show Apps" and finding the application.

Wrong Version of 7-Zip is Installed

In some cases, you might have a newer (or older) version of a Consolidated Unix File Archive file that is unsupported by your installed application version. Download the latest 7-Zip version from the Igor Pavlov website to ensure you have the correct one installed. Most of the time your Consolidated Unix File Archive file was created by a newer 7-Zip than what you have installed.

Tip: If you right-click on your TAR file, then select "Properties" (Windows) or "Get Info" (Mac), you can obtain hints about what version you need.

Primarily, problems experienced when opening TAR files are due to having the incorrect version of 7-Zip installed on your computer.

Additional TAR Opening Issues

Assuming you have the right 7-Zip version installed, other problems can prevent you from opening TAR files. If you're still experiencing problems opening TAR files, there could be other computer problems. These other problems include (listed in order from most to least common):

• File references in the Windows Registry for TAR are wrong
• Corruption of the TAR file description inside the Registry
• 7-Zip or another TAR application experienced a flawed installation
• Your TAR file is corrupted (issues with your Consolidated Unix File Archive file itself)
• TAR file integrity has been compromised by malware
• Hardware associated with TAR has outdated drivers
• Windows cannot load your Consolidated Unix File Archive file due to insufficient resources (eg. RAM)