How to open JAR files on Windows 10

How to open JAR file on Windows 10 ? Is it similar to RAR and how to handle errors when opening JAR file? Join us to find out.

What is a JAR file?

JAR stands for J ava AR chive. As the name implies, it is a compressed file. Inside it there are many other files, which are "packed" in one place for some reason such as flexibility or reduced storage capacity.

Basically, the JAR file is not much different from the ZIP file. JAR files are applications designed for Java Runtime Environment to use. This is the most striking difference between these two compressed file formats.

The special feature of JAR files is that they contain a manifest. This is a special meta file, it tells JAR how to handle and store information about the files inside.

JAR files can also contain CLASS files (compiled JAVA code), audio / image files and more. The JAR file can then be read and run as a single query of Runtime Environment.

JAR can meet all purposes of use on computers and mobile, such as games, application interfaces, browser add-ons.

How to open the JAR file

If you want to start the JAR file, run the application built into it, then you need to install Java Runtime Environment. You may already have it on your computer, but download the software from the homepage to make sure you're running the latest version.

Download Java Runtime Environment

Next, you should download a small utility called Jarx. This helps the JAR file to behave like regular programs on a computer. Thus, when installing JAR, you can open it like any other file by double clicking on the icon.

You can also launch it with the following command: Click Search and type cmd . Right-click on the Command Prompt result and select Run as administrator to open the window. Then enter the command below, but replace sample.jar with the full JAR file path:

Extract the JAR file

Alternatively, can you unzip the JAR file to view its contents or know it is an executable file (.exe format)?

To decompress JAR, you need a program that can extract the compressed file. Windows has built-in features for that, but you can also use decompression software like 7-zip or WinRAR to get the job done.

Open the JAR file in the software and you can browse all folders, files inside it. You can also extract JAR if you want to use or test individual files.

Want another JAR file opener when there are no archives yet? You can use an online file extractor if you don't want to install software on your computer. Of course, make sure you have chosen the right online tool because not all of them support JAR format.

Archive Extractor is an option worth trying. Just upload JAR and it will show the file contents inside the tree structure. Click on the folder to launch or expand it and a file to download it separately to your computer.

Finally, if the computer has an error when it identifies the executable JAR file, you can right-click the file> click Rename , and then add the .ZIP file extension . This action is possible due to the closely linked file types.

How to create a JAR file

Are you sure you need a JAR file? Remember, they serve the purpose primarily: Merge files together into a Java application.

If that's what you need, go to the manual for packing the programs in the JAR file . This page provides all the information you need to create, package, and bookmark JAR files.

How to fix JAR file errors

You may get an error when trying to open a JAR file due to incompatibility error or security settings.

Update Java Runtime Environment

To find out which version of Java is running, open the Start menu and type configure java - configure java, then select the result. Java Control Panel will open. On the General tab, click About ... and check if the version you are running is the latest version on the Orcale web. If not, download it and update it.

The program to open the JAR file is not suitable

Windows may not know what to do with the JAR file, so open it with a program that doesn't support this format.

To solve the problem, right-click on the file> point to Open With . There are a variety of default programs to choose from. One of them might be the right choice. If not, click Choose another app .

If you want to run the file directly using the Java Runtime Environment, go to Program Files \ Java \ jre1.8.0_211 \ bin and select java.exe .

Security error system when opening JAR file

In recent years, Java has been viewed as a security risk, so it's not surprising to receive a warning when trying to open a JAR file.

To solve this problem, open the Start menu and type configure java , then select the result. Java Control Panel will open. Click on the Security tab . Make sure you've checked Enable Java content for browser and Web Start applications , set the security level to High and add the exception page list if needed. Finally, click OK .

Hopefully through this article, you have understood what a JAR file is, how to open and solve problems encountered when opening it.