.TAR.GZ File Extension

Tarball Compressed File

The tar.gz was popular file format on Unix. It is old Gzip compressed TAR Archive. However still supported by Unix, Linux, BSD. MIME types: application/gnutar application/x-tar application/x-compresse...

General Information

Title TAR.GZ File Extension
Extension .tar.gz
Full Form Tarball Compressed File
File Type Compressed Archive
Developer GNU Project
MIME Type application/x-gzip

File Function

Primary Function File compression, Archiving
Additional Functions File packaging
Features Lossless compression

File Characteristics

Quality High compression
Supports Layers N/A
Supports Transparency N/A
Editable After extraction

Use Cases

Software Distribution Yes
Backup Yes
File Transfer Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks Malicious code, Archive bombs
Best Practices Scan for viruses, Verify source

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release Tar (1979), Gzip (1992)
Latest Version Tar: 1.34 (2021), Gzip: 1.10 (2019)

Associated Types

Similar Extensions .tar, .gz, .zip, .rar

Software Compatibility

Software Usage Policy OS Compatibility
GNU Tar Free Unix-like
7-Zip Free Windows, Linux
WinRAR Free trial Windows, Mac, Linux