GZ File

What are GZ files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening a GZ file or are you simply curious about its contents? We're here to explain the properties of these files and provide you with software that can open or handle your GZ files.

What is a GZ file?

A .GZ file is a GZip Compressed Data file.

The .gz file extension is given to Gnu Zipped file archives. The Gnu Project developed this file format for use on Unix operating systems to compress large files. For example, if you have a file that you would like to send via email, the GZ file format would allow you to compress it into a much smaller file.

GZ archive files are compressed using the GNU (Gzip) compression algorithm. The .gz files can contain one file only. If you want to include multiple files in a GZ file, you first need to "combine" them using an archive tool like TAR. That will create a .tar.gz or .tgz file.

You can open GZ files on both Mac and Windows operating systems. You can also open them on computers that are running Linux.

How to open GZ files

We have identified six GZ openers that are compatible with this specific type of GZ file.

Programs that open GZip Compressed Data files

Last updated: February 24, 2023

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