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Windows Explorer does not appear as program to open .gz files

Anonymous
2023-11-11T20:32:09+00:00

I have a Windows 11 machine where I can open .zip file or .gz file to see the content of the files without un-zipping.

I also have a Windows 10 machine but on it, gz/zip file show as non-associated file type as the icon is a plain file icon.

So I tried a suggestion from here: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/windows-explorer-does-not-appear-as-program-to/a2230947-af3a-4f05-acf4-cc05e094975b

-- suggestion from that thread link --
1. Right click a**.zip** file and select Open With. Click the Browse button.

  1. In the browse window, navigate to C:\Windows.

3. Scroll down in the Windows folder and select Explorer.exe.

  1. Click the Open button.
  2. This should add Windows Explorerto the Recommended Programs section.

Make sure the Always use the selected program to open this file type option is checked and click OK.

When I tried this suggestion, I see an error msg "The program you have selected cannot be associated with this file type. Please choose another program."

Is there a way to open the zip/gz file w/o unzipping?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Files, folders, and storage

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-01-11T11:59:55+00:00

    is it going to be implemented in win10.?GZ file format is quite long on the market. 25 years or so. If win11 explorer is capable of opening it then maybe that should be implemented in win10. I know there is a commandline tool to open tar files and CURL has been introduced to win10 as well. it just sucks that windows cannot handle file format that is so popular and on the market since win95....

    10+ people found this answer helpful.
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  2. David Sanchez 19,050 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2023-11-11T21:28:21+00:00

    Hi Taekyu! My name is David. I am a user of Microsoft products like you, and it is a pleasure to greet you.

    Thank you for reaching out with your issue regarding associating .gz files with Windows Explorer on your Windows 10 system.

    Based on your description, it seems that you're unable to associate .gz files with Windows Explorer using the method provided in the forum link. This issue arises because the Windows Explorer in Windows 10 does not natively support opening .gz files, as it does in Windows 11.

    The simplest way to open .gz files without unzipping them is to use a third-party application like 7-Zip or WinRAR. These applications are capable of opening .gz files, and you can set them as the default program for these file types.

    Let me know if the shared information has been helpful. Regards.

    5 people found this answer helpful.
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