How to Extract a JAR File

JAR (.jar) files are archive files that contain Java class and associated metadata and resources. They are built on the ZIP format.[1] They are typically executed within a Java environment, but they can also be opened using archive programs like WinZIP, WinRAR, and 7-Zip. This wikiHow teaches you how to extract a JAR file's contents.

Things You Should Know

  • Since JAR files work like ZIP files, you can use an archive program like WinRAR to extract them.
  • For Windows users, you can install Java SE to use the ‘jar’ extraction command in the Command Prompt.
  • If you’re a macOS user, you can also install and use Java SE. You’ll use the ‘jar’ command in the Terminal.
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using an Archiving App

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    Install an archive program. JAR files work just like ZIP files. You can use any archive program to extract them. On Windows, you can Install WinRAR 7-Zip, or WinZIP. Macs have their own built-in archive program called Archive Utility.[2]
  2. Image titled Extract a JAR File Step 2
    2
    Find the JAR file you want to extract. Use File Explorer (press Win + E to open File Explorer) or Finder on Mac to navigate to the JAR file you want to extract.
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    Right-click the JAR file. Doing so prompts a drop-down menu.
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    4
    Select Open with. It's in the drop-down menu. A pop-out menu will appear with programs you can use to open the file.
    • If you don't see this option, click the JAR file once, then right-click it again and select Open with.
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    5
    Click the Archive program you want to use. You can use any archive program you have available on your computer.
    • On Mac, click Archive Utility.
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    6
    Click Extract files or Extract here. "Extract files" gives you the option to select a destination to extract the file to. "Extract here" extracts the files to the same location the Jar file is located.
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    7
    Select an extraction location. If necessary, click one of the folders on the right side of the window to select it as the location to which you want to extract your JAR file (WinRAR). If you are using 7-Zip, click the icon with three dots in the upper-right corner and navigate to the folder you want to extract the files to. Then click Ok.
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    Click OK. It's at the bottom of the WinRAR window. Doing so will extract your JAR file to the selected folder.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Using Java on Windows

  1. Image titled Extract a JAR File Step 9
    1
    Make sure you have Java SE installed. If you don't have Java SE (the Java Developer Kit) installed, you won't be able to use the "jar" extraction command, and your file will be impossible to extract with this method:
  2. Image titled Extract a JAR File Step 10
    2
    Press ⊞ Win+E to open File Explorer
    Windows File Explorer
    .     Click the folder-shaped File Explorer app icon in the taskbar that's at the bottom of your computer's screen.
  3. Image titled Extract a JAR File Step 11
    3
    Go to the JAR file's location. Find the JAR file that you want to unzip.
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    Select the JAR file's path. Click a blank space in the address bar at the top of the File Explorer window to do so.
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    Press Ctrl+C to copy the path of the JAR file. This will save the path to your JAR file.
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    6
    Open Start
    Windows Start
    .     Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
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    7
    Type in cmd and press ↵ Enter. This opens the Windows Command Prompt.
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    8
    Navigate to the JAR file's path location. To do this type in cd and press the space bar. Then press Ctrl+V to past the file's path. Then press "Enter"..
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    9
    Type in jar xf followed by a space followed by the name of the JAR file. This is the command to extract a JAR file.
    • For example, to extract a JAR file called "minecraft", you would type in jar xf minecraft.jar.
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    10
    Press ↵ Enter. This executes the command and extracts the JAR file.
    • If you receive an error message that says "'jar' is not recognized as an external or internal command", you need to change the path environment variable to "C:\Program Files\Java\jdk[latest version]\bin" Make sure you replace "[latest version]" with the latest version of Java Development Kit you have installed.
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    Go back to the JAR file's location. You should now see the JAR file's extracted contents here.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Using Java on a Mac

  1. Image titled Extract a JAR File Step 20
    1
    Make sure you have Java SE installed. If you don't have Java SE (the Java Developer Kit) installed, you won't be able to use the "jar" extraction command, and your file will be impossible to extract with this method:
  2. Image titled Extract a JAR File Step 21
    2
    Open
    Mac Finder
    Finder.     Click the Finder app icon, which resembles a blue face, in your Mac's Dock.
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    Find your JAR file. Go to the location of the JAR file that you want to extract.
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    Select your JAR file. Click the JAR file once to do so.
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    5
    Copy the JAR file's path. Use the following steps to copy the path of the JAR file:
    • Right-click the JAR file.
    • Hold OPTION and click Copy [jar file] as pathname.
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    6
    Open Spotlight
    Mac Spotlight
    .     Click the magnifying glass-shaped Spotlight icon in the top-right corner of the screen to do so.
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    7
    Open Terminal
    Mac Terminal
    .     Type "terminal" into the Spotlight text box, then double-click the Terminal icon when it appears. This will open a Terminal window.
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    8
    Type in jar xf and press the space bar. This is the command to extract a JAR file. Don't press enter just yet, there is still more you need to do.
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    9
    Press ⌘ Command+V to paste in your JAR file's path, and press ⏎ Return. This executes the command to extract the JAR file.
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    Go back to the JAR file's location. You should now see the JAR file's extracted contents here.
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    I receive an error that jar is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file. What do I need to do?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You will need to make sure that the Java JDK is installed. Windows also requires for your environment variables to have a path set to the location of the jar executable. Check your Path Environment Variable under the Advanced System Settings in the Settings Window. Restart your computer when you make changes to your path.
  • Question
    I got an error that said java.io.FileNotFoundException (The system cannot find the file specified). What's up?
    Wizzwizz4
    Wizzwizz4
    Community Answer
    This means that you made an error typing the file path, and Java can't find the file. Check that you have typed the right file path.
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Warnings

  • While changing the .jar extension to a .zip extension on a Mac may sometimes allow you to extract the JAR, this method is more likely to cause an error.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
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References

  1. ↑ https://docs.oracle.com/javase/8/docs/technotes/guides/jar/jarGuide.html
  2. ↑ https://www.dummies.com/computers/macs/how-to-zip-and-unzip-files-on-your-mac/

About This Article

Darlene Antonelli, MA
Written by:
Darlene Antonelli, MA
wikiHow Technology Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Darlene Antonelli, MA. Darlene Antonelli is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. Darlene has experience teaching college courses, writing technology-related articles, and working hands-on in the technology field. She earned an MA in Writing from Rowan University in 2012 and wrote her thesis on online communities and the personalities curated in such communities. This article has been viewed 791,812 times.
How helpful is this?
Co-authors: 27
Updated: October 25, 2022
Views: 791,812
Categories: File Manipulation
Article SummaryX

1. Make sure you have an archive program like WinRAR or 7-Zip installed.
2. Navigate to the JAR file.
3. Right-click the JAR file and select Open with.
4. Click your choice archive program.
5. Click Extract here or Extract file.
6. Select a location to extract the file to (if needed).
7. Click Ok..

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