Quick Answer
tar.exe is a standard Windows tar utility. It enables creating, listing, and extracting TAR archives from the command line or scripts without third‑party software.
Is it a Virus?
✔ NO - Safe
Must be in C:\Windows\System32\tar.exe or C:\Windows\SysWOW64\tar.exe
Warning
Tar may spawn subprocesses during compression
Tar operates as a system tool and can invoke external compressors when -z or -j options are used
Can I Disable?
✔ YES
Tar is not a background service; avoid invoking it in scripts if you want to disable its use.
What is tar.exe?
tar.exe is Windows' built-in command-line utility that creates, lists, and extracts TAR archives. It integrates into Command Prompt and PowerShell, enabling simple packaging and unpacking of files without third-party tools.
tar.exe uses native Windows interfaces to perform archive operations with options like -x, -c, -f, and optional -z/-j for gzip/bzip2. It supports tarballs (.tar, .tar.gz, .tgz) and is designed for scripting and maintenance tasks.
Quick Fact: Windows added tar functionality natively to simplify basic archive workflows without extra software.
Types of tar.exe Operations
- Create Archive: tar -cvf archive.tar file1 file2
- Extract Archive: tar -xvf archive.tar
- List Contents: tar -tf archive.tar
- Compress: tar -czvf archive.tar.gz dir
- Decompress: tar -xzvf archive.tar.gz
- Exclude Files: tar --exclude='pattern' -cvf archive.tar dir
Is tar.exe Safe?
Yes, tar.exe is safe when provided by Microsoft in Windows and used from trusted sources.
Is tar.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real tar.exe is NOT a virus. Malicious files may imitate names, so verify location and digital signature.
How to Tell if tar.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in
C:\Windows\System32\tar.exe or C:\Windows\SysWOW64\tar.exe. Anything else is suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click tar.exe -> Properties -> Digital Signatures. It should show a signature from Microsoft Corporation or Microsoft Windows.
- Resource Usage: Tar typically uses minimal CPU/memory. Unusually high usage or persistent background activity is suspicious.
- Behavior: Tar should respond to explicit commands. Unexpected background scheduling or silent background extraction is a red flag.
Red Flags: Tar.exe located outside C:\Windows\System32 or C:\Windows\SysWOW64, lack of a valid digital signature, or unexpected background activity warrants system scan and verification.
Why Is tar.exe Running on My PC?
tar.exe runs when you explicitly invoke the tar utility or when a script, backup task, or automated job calls tar to create or extract archives.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Archive Operation: You are creating or extracting a tar archive; tar launches to complete the job.
- Automated Backups and Maintenance: Backup scripts, log rotation, or maintenance tasks call tar to package data automatically.
- Scheduled Tasks: A Windows Task Scheduler job or CI pipeline runs tar as part of its workflow.
- Batch Scripts or Automation: Custom scripts invoke tar to manage archives as part of deployment or packaging.
- Remote or Mounted Archives: Tar may run to transfer or package files on network shares or mounted drives.
Can I Disable or Remove tar.exe?
Yes, you can avoid using tar.exe or remove separate tar copies. tar.exe is not typically a background service; you control its invocation via scripts and PATH usage.
How to Stop tar.exe
- Abort Active Tar Tasks: In the command prompt or PowerShell, press Ctrl+C to cancel the running tar operation.
- Close Scripts or Terminate Shell: Close the command window or stop the running script that calls tar.
- Prevent Startup: If a task or script auto-runs tar on login, disable that task in Task Scheduler or remove it from startup scripts.
- Remove from PATH: If you installed a separate tar binary, remove its directory from PATH or uninstall the package.
- Alternative Tools: Use built-in Windows tools or other archivers if you need tar-like functionality without tar.exe.
How to Uninstall tar (Windows built-in vs. extras)
- ✔ Tar.exe is a built-in Windows utility; there is no separate uninstall. To avoid usage, simply do not call tar.
- ✔ If you installed a standalone tar binary (e.g., via GNU tar package), uninstall it via Apps & Features or the package's uninstaller, and remove its folder from PATH.
- ✔ Verify no scripts or scheduled tasks reference the tar binary after removal.
Common Problems: Tar Operations
If tar.exe fails or runs slowly, check common issues in archive creation and extraction workflows.
Common Causes & Solutions
- Cannot find input files or archive: Verify paths, wrap spaces in quotes, and use the full path to the source files or destination archive.
- Permission denied: Run the command prompt as Administrator or adjust NTFS permissions on the source/destination.
- Unsupported option: Ensure you are using valid tar options (-x, -c, -f, -z, -j) and proper syntax, e.g., tar -xvf archive.tar.
- Corrupted tar file: Try re-downloading or re-creating the archive; verify checksums if provided.
- Output not created or overwritten: Check destination path write permissions and ensure the target file is not in use by another process.
- Compression not applied: Install or enable gzip/bzip2 utilities or use the correct flags (-z for gzip, -j for bzip2) and ensure the tools are available in PATH.
Quick Fixes:
1. Check syntax with tar --help to confirm available options.
2. Use full paths to input/output files to avoid path resolution issues.
3. Run Command Prompt as Administrator when encountering permissions errors.
4. Test with a small sample folder to validate command behavior.
5. If compression fails, verify gzip/bzip2 tools are installed and accessible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is tar.exe safe to run on Windows?
Yes. tar.exe is a built-in Windows utility signed by Microsoft. Ensure you use the system path (C:\Windows\System32\tar.exe) to avoid counterfeit binaries.
What can tar.exe do on Windows?
Tar.exe can create, extract, and list tar archives (.tar, .tar.gz, .tgz) from the Command Prompt or PowerShell using common options like -x, -c, -f, -z.
How do I create a tar archive with tar.exe?
Open CMD or PowerShell and run: tar -cvf archive.tar folder1 folder2. Use -z to gzip-compress if needed (tar -czvf archive.tar.gz folder).
How do I extract a tar archive with tar.exe?
Run: tar -xvf archive.tar to extract files to the current directory. For compressed tarballs, use tar -xzvf archive.tar.gz.
Where is tar.exe located on Windows?
System-provided tar.exe is located at C:\Windows\System32\tar.exe (and C:\Windows\SysWOW64\tar.exe on 64-bit systems).
Can tar.exe be replaced by another tool?
Yes, you can use third-party tools like 7-Zip or WinRAR for archive management, but tar.exe provides a native, script-friendly option.