Convert TAR.GZ to TAR

Understanding tar.gz and tar file formats

tar.gz is a compressed archive file format commonly used on Unix and Linux systems. It combines the TAR (Tape Archive) format, which bundles multiple files into a single archive, with Gzip compression to reduce file size. The resulting file has a .tar.gz or .tgz extension. In contrast, a tar file is simply an uncompressed archive created by the TAR utility, with a .tar extension.

Why convert tar.gz to tar?

Converting a tar.gz file to a tar file removes the Gzip compression, leaving you with the original archive. This is useful if you need to access the contents without decompressing on the fly, or if a specific application only supports uncompressed TAR archives.

How to convert tar.gz to tar

The conversion process involves decompressing the tar.gz file. This can be done using command-line tools or dedicated software.

Using command-line tools (Linux, macOS, Windows with WSL)

1. Open your terminal.
2. Navigate to the directory containing your .tar.gz file.
3. Run the following command:
   gunzip filename.tar.gz
4. This will decompress the file, resulting in filename.tar.

Alternatively, you can use:
gzip -d filename.tar.gz

Using 7-Zip (Windows)

1. Download and install 7-Zip from the official website.
2. Right-click the .tar.gz file.
3. Select 7-Zip → Extract Here. This will produce a .tar file in the same directory.

Best software for tar.gz to tar conversion

• 7-Zip (Windows): Free, open-source, and supports both extraction and compression of TAR and TAR.GZ files.
• WinRAR (Windows): Commercial software with a free trial, supports TAR and TAR.GZ extraction.
• GNU tar (Linux/macOS): Built-in utility for handling TAR and TAR.GZ files via the command line.

Summary

Converting a tar.gz file to a tar file is a straightforward process that involves decompressing the archive. Tools like 7-Zip and GNU tar make this task easy on any operating system.