.tar — Tape Archive
A Unix archive format that bundles files together without compressing them — usually paired with a separate compression step (see .tar.gz).
Archives can contain any type of file, including executables or scripts, inside them. Check what's inside — ideally with an up-to-date antivirus scan — before opening extracted contents.
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Frequently asked questions
What is a .tar file?
A Unix archive format that bundles files together without compressing them — usually paired with a separate compression step (see .tar.gz).
Can I edit a .tar file?
Not directly as text — .tar is a runnable or packaged format, not one meant for manual editing.
Does having a .tar extension mean the file is safe?
No single extension can guarantee that. Archives can contain any type of file, including executables or scripts, inside them. Check what's inside — ideally with an up-to-date antivirus scan — before opening extracted contents. Always consider where the file came from, not just its name.