How to Unzip in GZ Format

Open GZ-formatted archives using the WinZip, WinRAR or 7-Zip utilities.

Individually sending a large number of files from one computer to another is a time-consuming task. Instead, most people combine multiple files into a single archive file, using tools that package the files together and utilize specialized algorithms to compress the contents and conserve disk space. ZIP is one of the most popular archive formats, but many others can perform the same task, including the open-source GZ format. As long as you have one of several common archiving programs installed on your computer, extracting the contents of a GZ-formatted archive requires just a few clicks.

Instructions

Using WinZip

1. Click "File" in the top menu bar and select "Open." Locate your GZ file and double-click its icon.

2. Click once within the main file window, hold your click, and then drag the pointer until all of the files within the window have been highlighted.

3. Release your click.

4. Click and hold on one of the highlighted items, and then drag the contents of the archive from the WinZip window onto the desktop or into a folder.

5. Release your click. The contents of the archive are extracted to the desktop or your selected folder within a few seconds.

Using WinRAR

1. Click "File" in the top menu bar and select "Open Archive." Locate your GZ file and double-click its icon.

2. Click once within the main file window, hold your click, and then drag the pointer until all of the files within the window have been highlighted.

3. Release your click.

4. Click and hold on one of the highlighted items, and then drag the contents of the archive from the WinZip window onto the desktop or into a folder.

5. Release your click. The contents of the archive are extracted to the desktop or your selected folder within a few seconds.

Using 7-Zip

1. Navigate to the folder containing your GZ file using the file navigator presented in the main program screen. Click the folder icon located next to the address bar at the top of the window to navigate to a higher-level directory.

2. Double-click the icon of the GZ file to view its contents.

3. Click the "Extract" button on the top menu bar.

4. Click the "..." button next to the "Copy to" field, select the location where you want the contents of the archive extracted, and then click "OK."

5. Click "OK" again. The contents of the archive are extracted to the desktop or your selected folder within a few seconds.

References

• WinZip: Table of File Formats Supported by WinZip
• WinRAR: Does WinRAR Support the GZ Format?
• Tech Pro: How to Open a .gz File
• Indiana University, Information Technology Services: In WinZip, How Do I Unzip Files?
• Filerex: 7-Zip Screen Image

Resources

• WinZip: The Zip Fiel Utility for Windows
• RARLAB: WinRAR Archiver
• 7-Zip: Home