Yous've probably encountered archive files earlier. A common blazon of archive file is a ZIP file. Another blazon of archive file you might come across is a JAR file. We'll take a look at what this file is and the best apps to open JAR files on Windows.

Archive files like Zip files and JAR files provide a mode to package multiple files as a single file, decreasing the amount of infinite needed to store them. JAR stands for Java Archive. It's a package file format used to combine multiple Java class files and their associated resources similar text and images into a single file.

Indeed, JAR files were originally developed so terminate users could download Java applets and their components in a unmarried HTTP asking.

If you endeavour to open a JAR file without having a compatible program installed that can open that file type, you might see an fault saying, "Unable to access JAR file." In that case, try ane of the apps below to open up a JAR file on your Windows figurer.

JAR files tin be opened in two ways:

  1. Open and browse the file contents
  2. Run the JAR file in Java (execute)

We will take a look at apps to help you browse and examine the contents of JAR files.

Apps to Open JAR Files on Windows

In that location are several programs you tin can use to browse and view JAR file contents on a Windows computer. We'll run through a few of them. You might even find yous already have an app capable of opening JAR files on your computer.

i. WinRar

WinRar is shareware that you lot can download and run for complimentary, but it will persistently remind you to buy a license. In any case, download WinRar, install it, and use it to open a JAR file. Once you've opened the JAR file with WinRar, you tin extract its contents.

2. seven-Zilch

Like to WinRar, vii-Zip is an archive viewer and extractor that you lot tin can use to open up JAR files. Different WinRar, vii-Zip is complimentary and open up source. Download it for Windows hither. One time you've installed it, you can open up a JAR file, extract information technology, and view the files the archive contains. Simply correct-click on the JAR file, choose Open up With and select 7-Zippo File Managing director.

If you lot don't see the option to open the file with seven-Zip File Director, select the Choose another app option, and cull 7-Null File Manager from the listing:

Select the Always apply this app to open .jar files option to brand 7-Cypher the default JAR file viewer.

Apps to Open a JAR File Online

When all else fails, you tin can ever use an online tool to open a JAR file. There are several to cull from. All of the online tools listed below permit you to drop a JAR file into the website and download the contents. This is a good option if you don't encounter these archives often and don't want to install new software.

3. Online Annal Extractor

The Online Archive Extractor is a browser-based tool yous can use to extract several kinds of archive files, including JAR files. The site is secure, and, since the tool works locally inside the browser (i.e., not server-side), you can remainder assured that your files won't be sent over the cyberspace. You'll likewise find that extracting JAR files using the Online Archive Extractor is speedier than another archive extractors since nearly no data is being transferred online.

four. AppsCMS JAR File Opener

The JAR File Opener from AppsCMS works a little differently than the Online Archive Extractor. It does transfer your file to its servers. They exercise, however, assure users, "Nosotros store your Jar files only for a very short duration for extracting content and and then delete the files. Nosotros practise not store any of your JAR or contents of your JARs." Since it'south online likewise, this option will too piece of work for opening JAR files on Mac, Linux, Ubuntu, and all flavors of Windows.

five. Online Java Decompiler

The Online Coffee Decompiler is made bachelor past Leonardo Santos of Brazil. His tool decompiles .jar and .class files online. Information technology's a simple tool that does exactly what information technology says it does. Most of the files y'all extract from a JAR file will exist text files, only some may be other types of files that require boosted apps to view them.

6. EzyZip'south Extract Jar File Tool

EzyZip'south Excerpt Jar File Tool has a few more than bells and whistles than the other online JAR file openers. Some files extracted with the tool can exist previewed within the browser, and you lot also take the option to save multiple files and folders into a target folder of your choosing all at once.

seven. FreeFileConvert

The last entry in our listing is a little different than the others. The Convert JAR to Nada tool from FreeFileConvert converts your JAR file into a ZIP file you can open natively in Windows. The JAR file y'all desire to convert can be on your computer or in a deject service like Google Drive or Dropbox. Additionally, if you take the URL of a JAR file you can enter it and use this tool to convert it to a Cypher file.

Running JAR Files with the Coffee Runtime Environment

So far, we've discussed ways of viewing JAR files. If you lot want to run those files, y'all'll need to use the Java Runtime Surroundings. Cheque out our article on how to run JAR files on Windows to learn how to install Coffee on your reckoner and run JAR files in the Java Runtime Environment.