How to Extract .TGZ on Windows
By Kristen Waters
Updated September 28, 2017
The ".tgz" file extension represents a set of files archived with the Tar archive utility and compressed using the Gzip compression utility. The Tar and Gzip utilities are native to the Linux and Unix operating systems; there is no native Windows utility that will extract ".tgz" file. The Gzip developers recommend using the 7-Zip, Winzip or PowerArchiver programs to extract .tgz files on a Windows computer. 7-Zip is completely free, while WinZip offers a free trial and PowerArchiver must be purchased.
7-Zip
Download and install 7-Zip from the developer's website. Navigate to the ".tgz" file using the Windows Explorer file browser.
Right-click on the ".tgz" file. Highlight the "7-Zip" option.
Click the "Extract Here" option. The file extracts to the current directory.
WinZip
Download and install the WinZip software program. Open Windows Explorer and navigate to the ".tgz" file.
Right-click on the ".tgz" file. Highlight the "WinZip" option.
Click "Extract to Here." WinZip extracts the file to the current directory.
PowerArchiver
Download and install the PowerArchiver program. Launch PowerArchiver.
Click the "Open" button in the toolbar at the top of the screen.
Click the ".tgz" file in the file browser that appears. Click "Open" to extract the file.
References
Writer Bio
Kristen Waters has been writing for the computer industry since 2004. She has written training materials for both large and small computer companies as well as how-to and informative articles for many online publications. She holds Bachelor of Science degrees from both York College of Pennsylvania and the University of Maryland.