How to unzip and install a tar.gz file in Linux

92 Replies

Hi everyone, this week in our Linux page we have posted an effective article about unzipping and installing tar.gz files in Linux. We hope you will appreciate this simple but useful post for Linux beginners and ..please.., as usual, write us comments if you need more information or you want to suggest us something useful. Thanks everybody! AddThis

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92 thoughts on “How to unzip and install a tar.gz file in Linux”

  2. selvam

    iam new in linux , ihave to problem in installing .tar, tar.gz, tar.bz2…. etc
    rpm and debian

    so i need a step by steb information about all the above package types .
    Thank you
    selvam.

    Reply ↓
  3. Danish

    tar is format for zip
    place the tar file in /home/folder
    to unzip: tar -zxvf (filename with extension) – tar.rz
    for tar.bz2 ” -jxvf “” ” ” ”

    then
    the file will be unzipped in a folder
    check of the file name config
    give th ecommand ./configure
    it will configure automatically

    else go to /tools check for the file name —-install
    enter this cmd ./tools/nameinstall

    Reply ↓
  4. Frustrated Windows "convert"

    …and how the fuck do you people expect that regular windows “converts” install software…? this way?
    you are nuts!

    Reply ↓
    1. dub_boy

      Yes, we are a little nuts in a geeky way, I guess. I understand your frustration though, it’s one hell of a learning curve, and I believe with all flavours of Linux, one never stops learning. Ever. It’s difficult at first, however you’ll realise it’s about x100 times more powerful than windows, fully customisable, because it’s open-source, blah, blah. Good luck, dude : )

      Reply ↓
  6. 9400

    Yes. We do. It takes an extra few seconds, and if you got off your lazy pampered Windows ass and actually learned something, you’d realize it’s not that hard!

    Reply ↓
  7. Adrian

    Sorry but how or where do you type all these commands… i would really like to learn.. linux looks quite cool..

    Reply ↓
  11. galigio Post author

    Hi Adrian, sorry for the delay in replying you.
    You have to type the commands in the Terminal (Applications – System Tools – Terminal).
    Please give us some more details with your Midi problems and we’ll try to solve them.
    Bye.

    Reply ↓
  16. trent

    can someone please send me an example of how to extract and install tar.gz and rpm files onto linux to my email @ trenta91@gmail.com. because i have been googling and they all say the same thing but i can never figure out how. i have just installed linux over win XP to see how it is, and installing programs is frustrating! could you also send me a good audio and video player/s, thanks, you help would be much appreciated

    Reply ↓
  17. vaibh

    i m regulary windows user
    so i have problem to install software in linux red hat 5
    like .tar.gz files
    some when download rpm file like mplayer, or any video player error report comes
    so plz help me step by step
    actually i didn’t know how can use commmand so plz help

    plz mail me nick4ubuddy@hotmail.com

    Reply ↓
  18. Anonymous

    ok. here is (hopefully) a nice simple set of instructions for recent converts.

    1) open up your prefered command console. I use yakuake (absolutly amazing program, but you can also use konsole or any other equivalent)
    2) sign in as the super user by typing in “su” (enter) then entering your root password when prompted.
    3) then go to the directory (folder) where the .tar.gz file is located. for example if it is in your home folder type in “cd /home/” and hit enter
    4) type in “tar -zxvf ” and hit enter this will extract the files and create a new directory (folder)
    5) go into that folder using “cd ”
    6) enter in “./configure” into the command line. this will configure the files. (answer any questions asked)
    7) when that’s done enter in “make” into the console.
    8) when that’s done enter in “make install”

    And you’re all done!!! :D

    If you’d like to move the folder you may, but don’t delete the folder because it comes in useful if you’d like to uninstall the program!

    Reply ↓
  19. Javed

    i m newbie in redhat using linux9 i want to know that how to compile the .tar and .bin files please give some easy solution

    Reply ↓
  21. jvf131

    Hi, I am using Ubuntu Linux 8.04 and and I am trying to download Abdobe Flash Player 9 on a tar.gz format. I am a regular Windows XP user and I don’t know what the hell I am doing. I downloaded the file and I am trying to open it. I know I have to type in a command to open it, but I don’t know what that command is. Please don’t criticize me I am only 14 and have been using this type of Linux for less that two hours. Please respond to this comment. Thank you.

    Reply ↓
  22. jvf131

    Just realized that there is an “extract” option when you right click on the file. Lol I feel stupid.

    Reply ↓
  23. D. C.

    I have ThinLinux (I know it’s old..) and don’t have a “cc” program, so I can enable the network program and PCMCIA 2wire wireless laptop card, on my laptop. I downloaded the pcmcia .tr.gz file, opened it. I cannot get passed the “./Configure” step, because I don’t have the “cc” program installed.

    How can I fix these problems, so I can get the network program/folder under “etc” like it should be, so KDE won’t keep saying the network program doesn’t exist? Thanks. If possible, it’s ok to email me.

    Reply ↓
  26. N.Akhmar

    hi.. for your info I’ve been trying to install a few tar.gz files and quite a few has some requirement that need us to install a few toolkit such as GTK2+ so that a successful installation could be achieve, where most of my first prob. (during my early days with linux) come from. So check you software requirement as it might be the reason why you can’t get the tar.gz files to be install properly

    Reply ↓
  28. Dave

    I am 17 and I have just changed to Ubuntu 8.04 LTS as my main OS. use the GUI to extract the files. However I haven’t got a clue how I install the program once it is extracted. I have tried to install firefox 3 as well as Beep Media Player. Please help!!! Also, I need the codecs to be able to play MP3 files. I do not have my own internet connection so I need to download them, and install them on my computer. A link to them would be good.Thx.

    Reply ↓
    1. wisdom m mlevu

      hi! i am wisdom from Kenya i would advise u to change the OS to ubuntu reloaded or ultimate edition 2.8 they have plenty of software in then.

      Reply ↓
  30. SAHIL

    hi all!!1st a great salute to all open source community.
    today is my first day in inux(ubuntu hardy haron…)i really liked it coz unlike windows its has got 70% of apps u need it n its bulletproof security.

    BUT I M REALY MESSED UP TO INTALL SOFTWARES WITH ERRR… .tz,.jar ETC EXTENTION.plz inform me how to intall the softwares and hey its not supporting mp3,mpg,mpeg file formats….its not intalling d codec availablle under add-remove.HELP!!!
    plz do reply in sahilshinesalways@rediff.com

    Reply ↓
  32. kunal Sagar

    when I want to install the netbeans 6 in the fedora 8 I get this type
    of error…

    [root@localhost ~]# ./jdk-6u4-nb-6_0_1-linux-ml.sh
    Configuring the installer…
    Searching for JVM on the system…
    Preparing bundled JVM …
    Extracting installation data…
    Running the installer wizard…
    java: xcb_xlib.c:50: xcb_xlib_unlock: Assertion `c->xlib.lock’ failed.
    ./jdk-6u4-nb-6_0_1-linux-ml.sh: line 1360: 4642
    Aborted /tmp/.nbi-2031926.tmp/_jvm/bin/java -Xmx256m –
    Xms64m -Djava.io.tmpdir=/tmp -classpath /tmp/.nbi-2031926.tmp/
    bundle.jar org.netbeans.installer.Installer

    Reply ↓
  34. Aidan

    i need help i am a regular windows user i am tryin 2 install LightZone 3 on my eee pc linux laptop but i do not know how to install or configure the file can you please give me a simple and easy to understand step by step guide on how to install it please and thank you

    Reply ↓
  37. Nikhil

    How do I extract a file to a specific directory? I want to put a folder in /usr/share/*folder name*

    I am using Ubuntu 8.10.

    Reply ↓
  38. KillmySelf

    Sorry to say but, all this command only cause me headache. Before this, I also tried to install Real Player using command line, but, it didn’t work at all. So, I tried my way, I drag the .bin file to terminal window, then I enter, zuuup!!! all done, the file is extracted. Thats all I need to do.
    So, I think all this command didn’t help much for certain users such as me. I also can update my repository since I didn’t have any internet connection, indeed, all kind of command like:
    sudo apt-get update
    sudo apt-get install vlc
    …etc…
    didn’t work for me here. So, I’m hoping you all can help me please?
    I tried so many way before this but none are working. I just want to seek alternative way to install any audio/video player so that I can watch movie in my computer, thats all I want. Perhaps, my computer didn’t support certain application for linux maybe? I’m using HP computer with intel graphic card, pre-installed with Vista home premium, intel core 2 duo and ACPI x86 based computer. I installed ubuntu 8.04 LTS.

    Reply ↓
  39. linuxispissingmeoff

    cant someone just make a damn program with a freakin GUI. TO install files . learning this is a pain in the ass . I dont want to have to type in all that shit . I might as well program it myself lol

    damn somene just make an installer of some sort for us lazy windows users . then maybe more people will swap over

    Reply ↓
  41. gouri

    hii i tried to install adobe in linux.bt the command ./configure is not working,its saying that
    -bash: ./configure: No such file or directory

    im using linux for the first time.plz help me in solving it..

    Reply ↓
  42. Josh

    Can someone help me to install tar.gz files I tried some of the fixes om this page I’m running Ubuntu 8.04 and their is a lot of installs for Linux that are tar.gz and I’m also having the same problem with .bin installs can someone please help me!?

    Josh

    Reply ↓
  43. Peg

    Hi, My husband got me an old dell laptop with linux on it. I have several issues that he doesn’t have time for. I hope someone is willing to help. I have to admit I’ve been pecking around in the specifications so I may have done some things I shouldn’t have.

    For one thing I no longer have sound. This is a big problem as you can immagine. In the sound settings it says that the sound card is working. Can anyone help?
    Thanks,
    Peg.

    Reply ↓
  44. galigio Post author

    Hi Peg,
    please, could ou specify the model of the Dell that your husband got you? And what Linux version is installed? Ubuntu?
    Thanks.
    Galigio

    Reply ↓
  46. P R SINHA

    Hi,

    This is Sinha. I was just trying to install the gnuplot & ghost viwer but unfortunately it is showing some error like
    *** [instal -postscriptDATA] Error1

    *** [instal -recursive] Error1
    for gnuplot
    and
    no targets specified
    and no make file found
    for gv

    I request you to help me if somebody is familaer wioth this.
    Thank you!

    Reply ↓
  47. mentaloxide

    Nope… didn’t work…. AGAIN!

    Yet again, another ‘oh so easy’ how to guide for tarballs that doesn’t work. I’ve had ubuntu 7.10 for about 9 months now, and I still can’t install these damned tarballs. Now don’t get me wrong, I really like Ubuntu, and i want to support it, but these tarballz and terminal crap is infuriating. All I want is flash player 10, which would be a few clicks on windows or mac. THATS WHAT PEOPLE WANT! EASE OF USE! Why am I transported back to the mid-eighties with ubuntu’s terminal, and when will the powers that be at linux actually recognize this is the major put off for new users. Just look at this thread…. it’s the same story again and again, while stubborn geeks tell new users they’re ‘pampered by Windows’. I tell all my friends how awesome linux is, virus free, stable and super fast. They see it and they want it, but ultimately I dissuade them because I know they couldn’t deal with the terminal crap, because I’m a geek compared to them and it drives me nuts. Ubuntu must learn to deal with humans, not the other way around, if it wants to claim ‘it’s for humans!’

    Here’s the results of my attempts to follow instructions on this page.
    Post 18:

    grapa@grapa-laptop:~$ cd /tmp
    grapa@grapa-laptop:/tmp$ tar -zxfv
    tar: v: Cannot open: No such file or directory
    tar: Error is not recoverable: exiting now
    tar: Child returned status 2
    tar: Error exit delayed from previous errors

    but i have /tmp dir open and I’m looking at the tarball in a window.
    So then I follow post 3, and get this:

    grapa@grapa-laptop:/tmp$ cd /home/grapa
    grapa@grapa-laptop:~$ tar -zxvf install_flash_player_10_linux.tar.gz
    install_flash_player_10_linux/
    install_flash_player_10_linux/flashplayer-installer
    install_flash_player_10_linux/libflashplayer.so
    grapa@grapa-laptop:~$ ./configure
    bash: ./configure: No such file or directory

    NOW WHAT?

    Reply ↓
    1. Claude

      I agree I,ve been poking around with Linux since the ’90′s and always ended up going back to windoze.But, I have to tell you that Ubuntu 10 is getting up there with the installer and everything, it’s like learning to drive all over again.Here is the thing about Linux.IT NEEDS A UNIVERSAL INSTALLER!!!!That’s it That’s all it needs and I guarantee you that people would migrate in masses to it, being so versatile and free of course.The problem with Linux again is that it’s being used not only by geeks but by idiot geeks who are a little communist about windoze and all that deal.But all things that work are practical like for example a car most of us don’t know how it works exactly but we all use it because it’s practical and easy.same with windows.

      Reply ↓
  49. eddie pasternak

    Well, the article says absolutely NOTHING about “How to unzip and install a tar.gz file in Linux”. Typical Linux moran’s

    Reply ↓
  50. E

    I have to agree with those who take issue with the misleading title of this page. It purports to be a guide to unzipping and installing a tar.gz file in Linux. From there someone poses a question, gets no real answer, is told to perform maneuvers they already admitted they don’t know how to do. No one told how to open a terminal window, just said to do it. (If you have an eeepc, do it by pressing the keys “Ctrl”, “Alt” and “t” simultaneously. But what you do after that, is not described in this “how to” article in any helpful way. I myself can’t help you, as I am searching for advice on this subject, too.) Only one person gave some kind of advice but it was incomplete. Otherwise the only back and forth seemed to be childish arrogance between linux knowledge hoarders and frustrated Windows folks who already ate crow to come here, give them a break.

    Reply ↓
  51. Kiari

    OK to open a Terminal window go to Applications -> Accessories -> Terminal (or change the shortcut in System ->Administration -> Keyboard shortcuts, mine is set to “Crtl”, “Alt” and “t”)

    Once the terminal is open you can just type in the commands.
    If you need to change things through the ‘root’ -> Type sudo nautilus, “enter” then type your root password.
    This takes you into the root system.

    To install packages (eg. .debs) once in root ( as above) go to File System ->Var ->Cache -> apt -> Archives and then paste the new files you have just downloaded.

    Go back to the Terminal and type “sudo apt-get update”
    This will install the new packages

    (sorry to anyone who doesnt understand this. If you still need more help plz feel free to contact me via MSN or email @ Darkangelchick666@hotmail.com and ill help as much as I can)

    Reply ↓
  52. shishir

    hi, i am using RHE-5 as my opereting system.i download cbq bandwidth manager tar file but i can’t able to install and operate it. please help me for install and operate cbq software.

    Reply ↓
  53. Anonymous

    yes, misleading title, thanks to everyone trying to help. i got an eee for over a month now and still trying to figure out how stuff works. i got easypeasy which has three(!) ways to install software, none of which able to open a tar.gz file which is lying freshly on the desktop. executing stuff in the terminal produces errors which i cant read cause it closes after executing. where did it install? why all the folders have jut three cryptic letters… whaaaaaa…!!

    this systems makes me crazy. and i do put LOTS of effort in reading FAQs & forums and all that. but linux is faar from being intuitive whatsoever.. sorry but i am really frustrated cause i was searching now for almost 1 hour to just install a program. why isnt it possible to just click sth. and have it working?

    Reply ↓
  54. Anonymous

    You know what? i bet that samuel (the orginal person who asked how to unzip a TAR file) never got the answer he was looking for even though he asked it in 2006

    Reply ↓
  55. anonymous

    you know what i bet that samuel (the orginal person who asked how to unzip a TAR file) never got the answer he was looking for even though he asked it in 2006

    Reply ↓
  56. baronjj

    Hey everyone, why all the complaining? Some of you are the types who give Windows users bad reputations.

    Anything worth having, knowing, doing, takes time and effort. If you really want to learn Linux (Ubuntu or others) it will take time. Yes, you do have to hunt for answers but that is what adds to the learning experience. Finding help in forums and blogs by searching the web takes time but when that effort is put forth, the payoff in knowledge gained is well worth it.

    If there is one thing that I have learned about Linux, it is that the community of users are top-notch and always willing to help (provided they receive the respect that ALL people should be given). Quit griping, cursing, etc. and roll your sleeves up and do a little work.

    Reply ↓
  57. baronjj

    Oh, by the way, a little effort (see previous post) would have revealed that by clicking the link titled “install tar.gz” would take you to the following page:

    http://en.wordpress.com/tag/install-targz/

    The second link is titled “How-To Session: (Part 1 of Series) How to Install any Application: Ubuntu”:

    http://thelinuxcauldron.wordpress.com/2009/03/24/how-to-session-part-1-of-series-how-to-install-any-application-ubuntu/

    There is the information that we have all been desperately seeking!

    Reply ↓
  59. Lacine

    You can type all those command in a command line. You can access the command line of the machine where you installed linux version.
    To do that, you need to download putty to access the command line.
    And once you have putty running, check ssh and type the ip address of your server.

    Reply ↓
  60. Lacine

    Hi Cautam,

    What is your operating system? I assume you want to install it on linux os. In that case, you need to create a directory for that file on your linux machine. Once the directory is created, you will have to transfer the file into that directory. You can use winscp to do that.
    Then cd into that directory and typ tar -xzvf filename-?.?.?.tar.gz

    Reply ↓
  63. Dhananjay

    hello,
    i m novice user for ubuntu.
    plz tell me how to install tar, tar.gz packges in ubuntu.

    Thank you in advance…

    Reply ↓
  68. treeon

    man, im tryna untar/zip files on my pre. i know its linux and i have a terminal,but some of the commands dnt work. does anyone know anything that could help me????? thanx

    Reply ↓
    1. wisdom m mlevu

      did u find any help could u plz help me i have alot of linux software with the same targe but i dont know how to install them

      Reply ↓
  70. Lathu

    hi,
    I am newly to linux.I downloaded samba file but i am not able to install the file since it is a zip file.can any one can help me in this?

    Reply ↓
  71. wisdom m mlevu

    hi i need help in how to use TV card tuner in my pc it was working with windows but in ubuntu reloaded is not even being detected help pl z. Also i need to install office 2010 with wine but it give an error massage of a file missing.

    Reply ↓
  72. Marvin

    The answer for all this is to use the Latest Mandriva PWP (powerpack) with the URPMI installer or Debian Linux which is also supposed to have a good RPM installer and lots of Useful packages. These 2 distributions try to stay up to date and even on the cutting edge. Mandriva has many of these things that install right out of the box or install for (Free Version). Mandriva is the distribution I recommend for anyone switching from Windows. I personally run Mandriva 2010.2 PWP on one drive and WinXP pro on another. Mandriva does have most of the normal things solved like Java & Flash plus alot of good browser plug-ins, but for games, even Open Arena (a first person shooter) that Mandriva supports, there are numerous problems. (Crashes, No sound etc.) When all the tar-ballers catch up to RPM then maybe things will come together and Their will be game support as well as other good software that WORKS. I have used Linux for years, Suse,Redhat,Mandrake/Mandriva,Ubuntu and others, but Mandriva seems to stand above the others and keep all the windows users from spending frustrating hours in front of a Linux Console and searching the internet for information from folks who assume that you know basic stuff. If you want to switch from Windows then go to Mandriva…. It will save you alot of pain & frustration! + hours on the internet forums looking for information or programs that might or might not work…. and then there is that console you have to wrestle with. I have been building and using computers since the DOS UNIX days. I firmly believe EASIER is BETTER!! You can learn the basics for command line use later if your interested. That’s why people still stick with Windows even with Microsoft’s pirate policies that severely penalize their legal customers, and their $300 or more for their updates. With the release of Windows 7…. Linux has a great future if only the different distros will co-operate.

    Reply ↓

  73. Pingback: 2010 in review – Not bad… « Computer Borders

  74. steven shearing

    linux should create a way to inall all file types with a both a gui or command line.
    many people dont even know how to use windows and yet people expect them to learn command lines, its just stupid.

    who ever makes linux easy wins the distro war, you cant expect people to learn a new syetem, some people may say ok fair but many will just pick a windows or mac because lets face it its more easy. In windows/mac you can install with a gui or command line.

    time linux user’s created a linux not for geeks

    Reply ↓
  75. tim

    Hello, have downloaded two archives, a .tar.gz, and a.zip file. Am wondering exactly how to go about unpacking/installing one of the directories from with in the terminal. since python states it is the latest version, and is set to manual install, am thinking there is a script that maybe I don’t have installed, that will take rsgclientLinux1.21Patch.zip, unpack the files, then proceed to install the associated client. Same with the .tar.gz file, called daisyPlayer6.4tar.tar. thanks for any help. On a side note, I am a blind user, have been using windows for years, unix/Linux distros for about the past 3 of those years, and personally, in some instances, I find a CLI//commandLineInterface, more intuitive, and less flustering then a GUI. But I do agree, Linux tends to throw some novis users, or non tech savvy users “to the wolves” if you will. I do agree with Marvin’s post, and adding to it, in a nutshell, windows does to much hand holding.. lol, but, am not sure how Mandriva is from an accessibility standpoint. A handfull of most Distros now days, debian, fadora, Opensuse, Ubuntu so far I am aware of are the only distributions to come with a screen reader, primarily, Orca. Thanks again for any help, will keep hunting, hell its probably something quite simple nice script I am missing.

    Reply ↓
  77. sachin kumar

    i have install ncview software but there will be create a problem in install tar.gz file. it is show the error below.
    configure: error: installation or configuration problem: C compiler cannot create executables.
    what is this error?

    Reply ↓
  78. Ron

    It takes an extra few seconds, and if you got off your lazy pampered Windows ass and actually learned something, you’d realize it’s not that hard!
    ——–

    “A few seconds!” Ive been trying for hours to install a simple flash update that normally takes 2 minutes to do on Windows (and I’m a PC repair tech).

    You guys ARE crazy. Thats why Linux/Ubuntu will always be in the geek minority. You expect newbie users to revert to using tactics and install codes that Windows users left behind over 15 years ago.

    Guys, get a grip and incorporate exe. style install procedures, please.

    Reply ↓
  79. how to build a pc

    We are a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your website offered us with useful information to work on. You’ve performed an impressive task and our entire neighborhood shall be grateful to you.

    Reply ↓
  81. laurie

    it would be very nice if some of the repliers would use proper language..it is so sad that these people must use their LIMITED vocabulary ..their mothers must be proud of them…keep your comments clean..if you can’t say anything good…do not say anything at all..it is better to be a fool in the eyes of some then to open your mouth and proove it to all MERRY XMAS TO ALL

    Reply ↓
  82. Anonymous

    I can’t understand how they can make samba-3.6.0 available and leave out the how to install and where to find the files to install it, they just give out stupid information about who contribute to it and the great features. But they never consider the fact that one has to install it before it’s useful..

    Reply ↓
  84. Technology News

    Thanks for another excellent post. The place else may anybody get that kind of information in
    such an ideal manner of writing? I’ve a presentation subsequent week, and I am at the look for such info.

    Reply ↓

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