Free Gzip software, GZ files opener and extractor utility

Handle GZ format, how to create open extract Gzip files

Work with Gzip files in PeaZip

PeaZip free gz files software offers full read / write support (compressor, and extractor / opener) for GZ format.

How to compress multiple files in GZ format
When a directory or multiple files are added to a Gzip file, PeaZip free gzip software automatically switches on "Tar before" option, creating a TAR archive from input data which is then sent to Deflate based GZip compression - the very same happens selecting other compression-only types as Brotli, BZip2 format, XZ, ZPAQ, QUAD/BALZ, and Zstandard.
Chaining Gzip compression after Tar archiving triggers solid compression, meaning the whole input data is treated as a single entity allowing to produce generally better compression performances than treating each file as a separate case.
GZip format does not support encryption (files of this type cannot be password protected).

Compress to GZ format

Use one of the following procedures to compress files / folders to .GZ format, to create gz compressed file, chosing "Gzip" in archive format picker in archiving dialog.

create gz files from the system's file explorer

Select files and folders and use context menu entry PeaZip, Add to archive: you will be prompted to archive creation screen, allowing to set compression settings, output destination, and other options.

create gz files from PeaZip

Select files and folders, and use Add button (or application's context menu entry of same name) to be prompted archive creation screen

Drag and drop files / folders from the system to a PeaZip instance

Compress a directory in GZ format
When adding folders or multiple files in GZ format, PeaZip free gzip files utility automatically switches "Tar before" switch on.

GZ compression is based on fast Deflate compressor algorithm, producing larger output than stronger compressors used in 7z or rar format, comparable with classic zip format compression ratio.

Read more about how to compress files and folders.

How to convert GZ files

File conversion procedure using Convert button extracts any read supported format (including GZ) and then re-pack it into a suitable write-supported format (7z, arc, pea, tar, wim, zip...)

Open GZ files

To open GZ compressed file and view its content (a single file, or often a TAR archive packing the actual content), open it in PeaZip utility with double click (if file extension is associated with the application), or using system context menu "Open as archive" entry to open gz files with PeaZip regardless extension associations.

Extract GZ files

Decompress gzip file from the system

Use context menu entry "Extract..." for full extraction screen GUI where to set output path and other options for gz decompression
Select one or more archives and use context menu entry Extract here or Extract here (to new folder) for quick extraction with no further confirmation

Decompress gzip files within PeaZip free gzip utility

Extract button shows full featured archive extraction screen providing access to all "unzip" options (set output path, open output path after extraction, keep or delete original archives, etc)
Extract all to... button activate a simplified decompression dialog only asking for output path
Simply drag & drop from the application to the system to extract gz file content

Decompress TAR.GZ / TGZ archives
To work on a GZipped TAR file (TGZ or TAR.GZ extension) you will need to extract gz file content (uncompress the tar container) before using aforementioned methods on the tar archive itself - it is a two-step non atomic operation.

Synopsis: How to handle GZ format with PeaZip free Gzip software. How to use gzip compression tool optionally with TAR archiving. How to create, open, extract Gzip files on Windows and Linux.

Topics: Create GZip compressed files, extract GZ files

PeaZip > FAQ > Free Gzip software, GZ files opener and extractor utility