Can you configure Windows to open JAR files like ZIP files without a 3rd party tool?

Question

I'd like to be able to examine the contents of a JAR file without having to install Winzip or some other tool and without having to rename the file. Windows Explorer can open ZIP files just fine; is there some registry setting I can use to let it treat JARs like ZIPs?

i wonder why this was migrated. why would anyone but a programmer be interested in this. — Jeff Martin, Mar 22 '10 at 17:45

score 63 · Accepted Answer · edited Apr 16 '13 at 12:57

63

Or from the command line:

assoc .jar=CompressedFolder

Under Vista (or higher) you have to run this in an elevated Command Prompt.

edited Apr 16 '13 at 12:57

hfrmobile

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answered Sep 12 '08 at 01:50

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NB: for Vista and above, you'll probably need to run the command prompt with elevated privileges i.e. as Administrator. – Mal Ross May 25 '10 at 12:45
works on Windows 8 as well +1. Thanks! – yair Nov 11 '13 at 19:19
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Also works on Windows 10 in CMD. Does not work in PowerShell. While you're doing this, I suggest you do it with .ear and .war, too. – ArtOfWarfare Mar 03 '16 at 20:25
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Also, `assoc .jar=jarfile` to restore – Numeron May 11 '17 at 10:51

score 4 · Answer 2 · answered Sep 12 '08 at 01:53

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I tried exporting HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.zip, changing all references of '.zip' to '.jar' and importing it to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.jar.

Under Vista at least it let me open a .jar file as if it were a .zip.

answered Sep 12 '08 at 01:53

Brannon

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score 3 · Answer 3 · answered Sep 12 '08 at 01:47

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What you need to do is associate the JAR extension in Windows Explorer with Compressed folders. From Windows Explorer select tools / Folder Options. Then the Files Types tab. Select New and associate JAR Compressed (ZIP) Folder.

answered Sep 12 '08 at 01:47

John Dyer

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score 0 · Answer 4 · answered Nov 26 '09 at 01:08

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The HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT trick doesnt work under Windows 7. There mut be some compelling reason that MSFT doesnt want us to do this.

answered Nov 26 '09 at 01:08

Worked fine for me under Windows 7. – Brannon Nov 30 '09 at 04:29

boardtc · Answer 5 · 2021-07-22T16:02:20.423

In setting up a new Windows 10 machine this was the reason I used to install 7-zip but there is no need with this hack given by @hfrmobile.

Press WinKey and type cmd
Right click Command Prompt app and select Run as administrator
Type assoc .jar=CompressedFolder, it should be echoed back to the screen if accepted otherwise you will get an access is denied
Type assoc .ear=CompressedFolder
Type assoc .war=CompressedFolder
Right click a jar in Windows explorer and you should now see the Extract All... menu option available to zip files

Can you configure Windows to open JAR files like ZIP files without a 3rd party tool?

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