For years it has been possible to create and open ZIP compressed files in Windows. The latest version of the operating system, Windows 11, did not introduce anything new in this regard, being relegated to the traditional compression format.
However, Microsoft announced a few months ago, during the Build 2023 conference, that its software would natively support new compression formats. In this way, the door was opened to Windows 11 was compatible with RAR, TAR or 7Z formatswhich are much more used and optimal than the traditional ZIP compression.
Support for RAR, TAR, or 7Z comes to Windows Insider Dev and Beta channels
Although the latest builds of Windows 11 on the Windows Insider program hinted that this feature was close to launch, we were running into many limitations. File Explorer was already associated with these types of files to try to open them, but it couldn’t quite get it.
Now, with Beta Channel Build 22631.2199, Insiders can start testing the feature. The only limitation is that We will not be able to create this type of compressed files, but we will only be able to read them and extract the information. The full list of supported files is as follows:
- .tar
- .tar.gz
- .tar.bz2
- .tar.zst
- .tar.xz
- .tgz
- .tbz2
- .tzst
- .txz
- .rar
- .7z
For the moment, to create this type of archive we will have to continue handling typical applications such as WinRAR or 7Zip (or its NanaZip fork), or we can even use the Linux Subsystem for Windows if we want to go one step further.
Having this feature appear on the Beta Channel confirms that It will arrive with Windows 11 Version 23H2, with its launch scheduled between the months of September and October. Let’s remember that this update will arrive as one more cumulative update, avoiding the problems associated with feature updates, speeding up the installation time and reducing its weight.