TAR File Extension
Consolidated Unix Format Archive
- File Type tar
- Developer Jean-loup Gailly
- Popularity
- Application ALZip
- Category Compressed Files
- Format Binary
What is a TAR file?
Files with the TAR extension are specifically tied to Consolidated Unix Format Archive, a Compressed Files type, and there are 820 files in this category.
The Consolidated Unix Format Archive (TAR) was developed by Jean-loup Gailly, which created file format and programs to work with them.
TAR files are supported by Linux, Mac OS and Windows, as well as mobile phones such as Apple iOS and Windows Phone. To extract a TAR file, you can choose from 21 programs such as TAR, Zipeg and 7-zip.
MIME types
- application/tar
- application/x-compressed
- multipart/x-tar
- application/x-tar
- application/x-compress
- applicaton/x-gtar
- appliation/x-tar
File Signature
HEX code: 75 73 74 61 72. ASCII code: ustar.
Programs that support TAR files
How to open a TAR file?
If you cannot open a TAR file, it is most often due to missing software. Select a program from the list according to your operating system. Then go to the official website of the program developer, download it, and install it on your device.
TAR, Zipeg and 7-zip stand out as the preferred programs to manage TAR files effectively. To install the latest version of ALZip on your computer, visit the ESTsoft website where you can download the version available for all operating systems.
Once ALZip is installed, the OS should configure it as the default tool for opening TAR files.
Set ALZip as the default TAR program
Change Default Program on Mac
- Right click or Control + left click on the desired TAR file;
- Choose "Open in Application" and click "Other";
- Towards the bottom of the window, find the "Enable" menu, which is already set to the default option, "Recommended Programs";
- In this menu, select "All Programs" and search for ALZip. Check the box next to "Always open in app" to make it the default option.
Set default programs for Windows
- Start by right-clicking on your TAR file, then select the "Open with" option and choose "Choose another app" from the menu that appears;
- In the pop-up window, select the ALZip application;
- Check the "Always use this application" checkbox, and then click "OK" to apply the selected application as the default for opening TAR files.
Convert files to and from TAR
If you have trouble working with a TAR file, try converting it to ZIP, ISO, RAR, JAR, EXE or similar compressed files.
Be aware that converting a TAR file may reduce some features, but you can usually revert it to the original format.
ALZip are offline programs that convert TAR files to alternative formats without compromising data quality.
Convert TAR to other file formats
Converting Files to TAR Format
Solve problems with TAR files
If TAR files are giving you trouble, small modifications to your software can help. Check out the troubleshooting tips below to fix these issues.
What are the ways to check if my TAR file is damaged?
TAR compressed files that have become corrupted may display one or more of the following symptoms:
- The file does not open correctly or displays error messages;
- The file exhibits poor performance during editing operations in TAR;
- Trying to work with the archive in ALZip or other programs causes instability or program crashes;
- An unexplained increase in the size of the TAR file;
- Actions performed on the file result in the appearance of error notifications;
Why does ALZip crash?
Insufficient updates for ESTsoft products can cause ALZip to crash. Be sure to regularly install the latest software updates.
Restarting your computer will solve many common problems, which is why it’s the first thing you should do before changing any settings related to the software.
How to repair a corrupted TAR file?
Use Advanced TAR Repair or Advanced Archive Repair to open the damaged TAR file and from the menu, click "Repair" to start the repair operation. Please wait patiently for the recovery process to finish as it will automatically repair the damaged compressed files.
How to edit a TAR file?
To make changes to TAR files, you need specialized software that allows both opening and editing the compressed files. Online TAR editors offer fewer capabilities than applications optimized for Consolidated Unix Format Archive.
Best TAR editors 2026
According to these factors, we have compiled a list of available TAR editors.