How to Unzip a GZ File in Unix

Unzip a Gzip file in Unix or Linux.

Unix systems support a large number of file compression utilities that vary in the extent of compression provided. The Gzip utility creates GZ files that have a relatively high level of compression. Hence, the Gzip utility is used quite often to package downloadable software installation packages as well as other files. A simple command line procedure can be used to unzip a GZ (Gzip) file.

Things You'll Need

• Unix, Linux or BSD computer with the Bash shell and Gzip installed

Instructions

1. Login to the computer with an account that has administrator privileges or permissions to run the Gzip utility.

2. Navigate to the GZ file that you need to unzip by typing "cd /home/useraccount/" and pressing the "Enter" key. Substitute "/home/useraccount/" with the exact path where the file is located.

3. Type "gzip -d filename" and press the "Enter" key, substituting "filename" with the name of the GZ file to unzip. The files should now be unzipped in the current directory location. If the Gzip utility did not run or unzip the file, proceed to the next step.

4. Type "find / -name gzip" and press the "Enter" key. View the command line output, which will display the exact path of the Gzip executable program file. Then type "/usr/local/bin/gzip -d filename" and press the "Enter" key, substituting the "/usr/local/bin/" with the exact path to the Gzip utility. The files should now be unzipped in the current directory location.

References

• Computer Hope: Linux / Unix gunzip, gzip and zcat