Creating a compressed file is useful; it helps you organize your files better, makes file sharing easy, etc. However, few know how to create 7z and TAR files in Windows or why they should use these archive file formats instead of RAR.
If the same goes for you, then this post will discuss these formats and how you can create them.
What Are 7z and TAR Files?
Both 7z and TAR are file compression formats. 7z is a high-compression file format created by 7-Zip, known for reducing file size significantly. TAR, or Tape Archive, is a file format commonly used on Linux and Unix systems to bundle multiple files into one archive without compressing them directly.
So, if you compare both file compression systems, 7z compresses your files, while TAR doesn’t compare your files but bundles them. There is also RAR, which typically offers moderate compression with balanced speed and file size reduction.
How to create 7z and TAR Files In Windows
1] Windows Built-in Tool
Windows itself offers you a built-in tool to create a compressed file. So you don’t have to rely on third-party tools. Here’s how you can use it:
- First, select the files or folders you want to compress.
- Right-click and select Compress to > 7z, TAR, and ZIP. Select the preferred compression format and choose a location.
- Also, you can select Compress to > Additional options for additional settings.
2] Using 7-Zip
- First, download 7-Zip from its official website and install it by following all the on-screen steps.
- Next, select the files or folders you want to compress and right-click > Show More options > 7z > Add to archive.
- Select the Archive format and other settings as per your requirements, or keep it at default settings. (Using 7-Zip, you can create 7z, TAR, WIM, and ZIP files)
- Finally, click on Ok to compress your files or folders.
3] Use Online Tools
Lastly, if you don’t want to install any software, then you can use online tools for the job.
xconvert.com/7zip is one such tool. You can create a 7zip file by uploading files from your desktop or cloud storage like Google Drive and Dropbox. To create a 7z file, select your files, click the Create 7z button, and download them.
For TAR, you can use the ezyzip.com website. Select your files from your desktop, choose the TAR file compression format from the dropdown menu, and click the Convert button.
Those were some easy ways to create a 7z or TAR file on Windows. I would advise you to use the Windows built-in tool or 7zip for utmost efficiency.
