On Windows 10 or Windows 11, right-click the JAR file and choose Open With > Java Platform SE Binary. Alternatively, you may open a JAR file with a tool like WinRAR to see or extract its contents.
Important conclusions
JAR files are not opened by default on Windows 10 and Windows 11 since no built-in programs are available to handle this file format. However, you may view this file type on your PC by installing the free Java application. We’ll demonstrate how to achieve it for you.
What Is a JAR File and How Do I Open One?
JAR, an archive containing several files, is the abbreviation for Java Archive. The JAR format is used by developers to create applications and other products. JAR files are potentially hazardous file formats, thus it’s important to keep this in mind. JAR files contain executable code. Before launching a JAR file, make certain that you can trust the source.
You must set up the free Java tool in order to launch a JAR file on a Windows computer. Your JAR file will then launch when you double-click it. Additionally, as we’ll cover below, you may use a free program like WinRAR to extract the contents from a JAR bundle.
Step 1: Verify that Java is already installed on your computer
Check to see if Java is already installed on your computer; if so, proceed to Step 2 below.
Press Windows+R to open the Run box to begin. Then, enter the following into the box:
cmd
Type the following command and hit Enter in the Command Prompt window that appears:
java -version
You may view your Java version if Java is installed on your computer. In this situation, move directly to Step 3 and omit Step 2 below.
If you get the following notice in Command Prompt, you do not have Java installed. In this case, follow Step 2 below to install the program.
'java' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.
Step 2: Download and Install Java on Windows
Java is available for free download and installation on your Windows PC.
To begin, open a web browser on your computer and navigate to the Java download web page. Download the relevant file for your system from the “Windows” section.
To install the program on your PC after downloading Java, double-click the installation file. Following that, restart your Windows 10 or Windows 11 computer.
Step 3: Run JAR Files on Windows 10 or Windows 11
You are now prepared to start your JAR files because Java has been installed.
To begin, locate your JAR file in a File Explorer window after it has been opened.
Choose Open With > Java(TM) Platform SE Binary by right-clicking your JAR file.
If you don’t see that choice in the “Open With” menu, select another app by clicking the “Choose Another App” button.
TIPS
You can interact with your JAR file once it has launched. There are no more details to add.
Optional: Getting Files Out of a JAR File
You may use a free file compression program like WinRAR to extract the files from your JAR file if you choose not to execute it.
Install WinRAR’s free version on your computer to get started. Next, restart your computer.
Find the JAR file you need in a File Explorer window. Click the file with your right mouse button, and then select “Extract To [JAR File Name].”
A new folder will be created by WinRAR inside the existing one. Each file that was extracted from your JAR file is contained in this new folder.
And that’s how Windows users may access their JAR files and view them from the inside. Enjoy!
