TGZ & GZ Files (What They Are & How to Open Them)
TGZ and GZ files are two types of archive files commonly used in the Linux and Unix operating systems. These files are used to compress and store large amounts of data, making them easier to transfer over the internet, email or other communication channels.
What are TGZ and GZ files?
TGZ and GZ are two different file extensions that refer to the same type of archive file. A TGZ file is a tar archive file that is compressed using the gzip compression algorithm. On the other hand, a GZ file is a file that is compressed using the gzip compression algorithm without being a tar archive.
Both TGZ and GZ files are primarily used in the Linux and Unix operating systems since they are optimized for these systems. They are mostly used to compress files and directories, allowing users to save disk space and transfer files more efficiently. These files are especially useful for compressing large files, such as video or audio files, that are too big to transfer over the internet or email.
How to open TGZ and GZ files
There are several ways to open TGZ and GZ files. The easiest way is to use a compression and extraction software tool that supports these file types. Some popular tools are WinRAR, 7-Zip, and PeaZip. These tools can extract the contents of the archive and allow users to view and use the files.
To open a TGZ or GZ file, follow these steps:
Step 1: Download a compression and extraction tool that supports the TGZ or GZ file type.
Step 2: Open the tool and navigate to the location where the file is saved.
Step 3: Select the file and click the “Extract” button to extract the contents of the archive.
Step 4: Save the extracted files to a desired location.
If you are using a Linux or Unix operating system, you can use the terminal to extract the contents of TGZ and GZ files. To do this, enter the following command:
tar -xzvf filename.tgz
Or
gzip -d filename.gz
Final thoughts
TGZ and GZ files are popular archive file types used in the Linux and Unix operating systems. These files can be used to compress and store large amounts of data, making them easier to transfer over the internet or email. To open these files, you can use a compression and extraction tool that supports the file type, or use the terminal if you are using a Linux or Unix system.