Note: This feature is rolling out in newer builds; if you don't see it, stick to Method 1. Why do I see .tar.gz on Windows?
Standard office users should utilize native Windows Explorer for extraction. System administrators and developers requiring specific file permission preservation should verify extracted files or continue using WSL/7-Zip for critical deployment tasks.
The inclusion of .tar.gz support signals a shift in Microsoft’s strategy: windows tar.gz
WSL gives you full Linux tar behavior inside Windows Terminal.
Prior to 2023, the Windows operating system could natively handle .zip files (since Windows 98) but required external software to extract .tar , .gz , .bz2 , or .7z files. This created friction for developers and administrators working in cross-platform environments. Note: This feature is rolling out in newer
Download: 7-zip.org
You don't need third-party software anymore. Windows 10 and 11 come with a built-in tar tool accessible via or PowerShell . Open the Start Menu , type cmd , and press Enter. Navigate to your folder (e.g., cd Downloads ). Run the following command: tar -xvzf filename.tar.gz Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard -x : Extract the files. -v : Verbose (show the progress). -z : Filter the archive through gzip. -f : Read from a file. Method 2: Using Third-Party Tools (Best for GUI) Open the Start Menu
Recent updates to have added native support for many archive formats directly within File Explorer . Simply Right-click the .tar.gz file. Select Extract All... just as you would with a .zip file.
A classic tool that handles .tar.gz seamlessly in a single step.
Use the built-in tar command (Win 10/11), 7-Zip, or WSL.
There are currently three primary ways to handle .tar.gz files on Windows: