How to open jar files
How to open jar files
5 best JAR file opener software [Windows 10/11 & Mac]
JAR files are a sub-type of archive file that deals with Java content (Java Archive), and like all archive formats, it is used to aggregate Java metadata into a single file to facilitate transfers and distribution.
The are used a lot by coders that work using the Java format, and given the popularity of the format, there are also plenty of tools that can open such files.
However, it becomes hard to choose the best of anything when there are too many choices, and that is why we’ve decided to list the best tools that you can use to open JAR files.
The entries were chosen based on multiple criteria, including effectiveness, price, how easy it is to use, system requirements, all so that you can make a more informed decision before choosing one or another.
Which are the best tools to open JAR files?
WinZip
Since JAR files are basically built on the ZIP format, the go-to solution would be to use the best tool on the market that also deals with opening ZIP files, and that is WinZIP.
Not only does this tool help you open and extract the data out of JAR files, it also lets you archive it back into whatever archive file format you want, including formats that are exclusive to WinZIP.
The product is lightweight, and integrates with your OS‘ context menus upon installation, allowing you instant access to WinZIP’s tools as soon as you right-click on a JAR file.
WinZip
Open, extract, and archive back your JAR and Java data with the help of WinZip’s powerful toolset
Files Viewer Plus
If your JAR files aren’t the only ones that you have problems opening, then a good idea would be to switch from a tool that deals with particular file formats, and go for universal file openers.
In that case, the best choice you should go for is File Viwer Plus, which is currently the world’s best file opener in terms of number of formats that it supports.
All you need to so is install the tool, and select it as the default program when opening JAR files. Once you do that, all you need to do in the future is simply double-click on JAR files and their contents will become available.
File Viewer Plus
Any file format will be available to you once you use File Viewer Plus, including JAR files.
Java Runtime Environment
If you’re only interested in running or opening JAR files, and not developing them, then your next best pick in the list of JAR openers is the native Java Runtime Environment.
Created specifically for such situations, It allow the integration of Java support on your OS, or on your web browser, but only if you’re still running Internet Explorer.
Expert Tip: Some PC issues are hard to tackle, especially when it comes to corrupted repositories or missing Windows files. If you are having troubles fixing an error, your system may be partially broken. We recommend installing Restoro, a tool that will scan your machine and identify what the fault is.
Click here to download and start repairing.
The UI may seem a bit dated, but the program does its job nonetheless, especially since it is designed to work with Java formats natively, and it’s free as well, which is also a big bonus.
WinRAR
WinRAR has always been the go-to choice for anyone looking to extract archive formats, most probably because it is constantly updated, free, and with an interface that has become a household item for PC users.
Just like WinZip, WinRAR integrates itself with your OS‘ UI, allowing instant access to archiving and extraction tools straight frm the context menues when clicking on an archive.
It has pretty fast work speeds, allowing it to compress and decompress large amounts of data in very short periods of time, without using too many system resources, as you can test for yourself from the Task Manager.
⇒ Get WinRAR
If you’re dealing with JAR files, chances are that you’re into coding as well, and if you do, then the best archiving tool that you can use to open JAR files is most likely 7-Zip.
This tool has been around for some time, and while it does come with a traditional UI for beginners, the fine aspects of archiving can be tweaked via detailed commands that you can input in its console.
As far as opening JAR files goes, it can be used to efficiently access its contents, and the only real reason it is last on our list is because the tool ‘s UI-based version isn’t very modern-looking, and may deter certain users.
⇒ Get 7-Zip
This concludes our list of best software to open JAR files with. We hope that our entries have allowed you to make a decision regarding which tools you will use, and that they are as varied as possible so that all work styles can be included.
Let us know if there is any other great JAR opener that may have deserved to be added in our list by leaving us your feedback in the comments section below, and we will check it out.
Restoro has been downloaded by 0 readers this month.
How to run a Jar file
Community driven content discussing all aspects of software development from DevOps to design patterns.
To run a JAR file on Windows, Mac or Ubuntu machines, follow these steps:
If you do not have Java installed, and the PATH variable is not set correctly, attempts to run a JAR file on Windows or Ubuntu will result in a ‘Java not recognized‘ error.
To run a JAR file, you must install the Java JDK or JRE on your computer.
Some Java installers configure Windows or Ubuntu to run Java JAR files when they are double clicked, but not every installer supports this configuration.
Furthermore, it is possible that you didn’t select the JAR double-click functionality during the Java install.
Keep in mind that not every JAR file is runnable. Some JAR files are just support files intended to be used by other Java apps.
For a JAR file to run, the JAR itself must contain at least one class that has a runnable main method.
Furthermore, the class with the main method must be listed as the main-class in the JAR’s manifest file. If not, the class must be explicitly stated on the command line when the JAR is run.
As long as you have Java installed, and the PATH variable points to the \bin directory of the JDK, you issue the following command to run a JAR file at the command line:
This Java JAR run command assumes the JAR in question is located in the current folder. If the JAR file to run is located in a different folder, you’ll need to provide a full path to the file.
JAR files are simply ZIP files that contain all of the resources required to run a Java application.
A JAR file typically contains:
The term JAR is an acronym built from the words: Java Application aRchive.
The term ‘archive’ is really key to understanding what a JAR file is. The JAR file encompasses every file required to support an application, zipped up and compressed into a single, archive file.
If you look inside at its contents, you can open a JAR file and extract its contents with any standard ZIP or decompression utility.
Popular JAR file opener tools include:
You can open Java JAR files with any Zip utility such as 7-Zip or WinRAR.
You can also open a JAR file in Windows PowerShell or an Ubuntu Terminal window with the following command if you have the JDK installed:
Not all JAR files are meant to run. Some are just standard libraries with no execution capabilities at all.
If you try to execute a JAR file that is not meant to be run, you will get an error message that says:
Could not load main class fix
If you get this error when you run a JAR that should be executable, the problem could be one of these issues:
If you know the Java class that should act as the entry point of a runnable JAR, you can explicitly specify that file at the command line as follows:
JAR files are an excellent way to distribute and deploy cross-platform applications written in Java.
To run JAR files, first make sure you have Java installed, your environment is properly configured, and the JAR file’s manifest file lists the application’s entry-point. With all of these puzzle pieces in place, your Java JAR file will run without issues.
Microsoft’s Azure Advisor service offers recommendations based on five categories. Learn these categories and the roles they play.
Researchers with Palo Alto Networks took the stage at Black Hat to explain how configurations and system privileges in Kubernetes.
.JAR File Extension
Java Archive
What is a JAR file?
A JAR file is an archive saved in the Java archive (JAR) format, which utilizes Zip-compression. It is typically used as a program library or as a standalone program that runs if Java Runtime Environment (JRE), a framework used for executing Java programs, is installed on the computer or mobile device.
JAR files are used for some mobile games supported by Java-enabled mobile devices. They are also used by Mozilla Firefox, Thunderbird, SeaMonkey, and Sunbird to store themes and add-ons.
NOTE: The Java Runtime Environment is also referred to as the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). Sun Microsystems, the original developers of the JRE/JVM, were acquired by Oracle.
How to open a JAR file
JAR files are typically used to distribute applications that can be run with the Oracle Java Runtime Environment (multiplatform). If you have JRE installed and set as the default program associated with JAR files, you can simply double-click the JAR file to run it. When you do this on a Mac, Apple Jar Launcher (bundled with macOS) passes the JAR file to JRE, or JVM, which runs the file.
You can also view, extract, run, and create JAR files with the Java Archive Tool provided as part of the Java Development Kit (JDK) included in the Oracle Java SE Development Kit. The Java Archive Tool is a command-line utility and here are the commands associated with the different capabilities:
NOTE: If you are looking to extract the contents from a JAR file, you can use various decompression utilities, such as Corel WinZip (Windows), Corel WinZip Mac (Mac), RARLAB WinRAR (Windows), and 7-Zip (Windows).
How to open or run a JAR file on Windows 11/10
JAR files are like EXE files except that they need a Java framework to run. Imagine them as EXE files on Windows which you can double click to launch the program. When you run an EXE file, it uses Windows OS support. Similarly, when you run JAR files, you need the help of Java Framework to open. When we say open JAR file, we are not opening the file like an archive file, but we are executing it. In this post, I will share how to open or run a JAR file on Windows 11/10.
What is Java executable JAR file?
A JAR file is an archiving format that not only stores directories and source files and can also be run as executable files. Such Java ARchive files can contain Java class files that will run when the JAR is executed.
While Archiver tools like 7-Zip can extract content from JAR files, but doing that is pointless – we need to execute the files just as we run the EXE files.
How to run a JAR file in Windows 11/10
1] Download and install Java Framework
To run a JAR file on Windows, you need to install Java on your system. Go to Java Download Page, and install it. The default will install the latest version only. However, if your JAR file needs a different version of Java, you can download it from here.
Sometimes, an existing older version of Java can cause an issue. So, if you are facing such a problem, make sure to remove the older version first. Use the official Java Remover tool to get rid of it. Then install the latest version.
2] Set System Path for Java
Next, you need to set the JAVA_HOME path. It makes sure that any JAVA file you run can find the necessary libraries for the program. You can also use the command line to echo the Java path to figure out if it is correct.
3] Run a Java or JAR file
Now when you double click on the JAR file, it will automatically run like how EXE files execute. If there is a problem with version, the file should inform you.
4] Set the Java or JAR file association
The last step is to establish a file association with Java runtime. It will make sure that every time you run, you are not asked to select a program that can execute it.
Once done, all future JAR files will automatically open with Java run time library. You should see the Java icon for all of these files.
How run Java JAR from command line?
If you don’t have java installed, you can fix that by installing the default-jre package.
We hope these tips were easy to understand and were of help to open or run a Java file on Windows 11/10.
Как открыть JAR-файл в Windows
Если вы столкнулись с типом файла JAR и задались вопросом, что это такое, вы попали по адресу. Это файл архива Java, и в этой статье мы поговорим о том, что из себя представляет JAR и как его открыть. А также рассмотрим ошибки которые могут возникнуть при работе с JAR-файлами и попробуем их решить.
Что такое JAR-файлы
JAR расшифровывается как Java ARchive. Это архивный файл внутри которого находятся другие файлы запакованные с максимальным уровнем сжатия. Если вы знакомы с файлами ZIP или RAR, то файл JAR — это, по сути, одно и то же. Разница в том, что JAR-файлы — это приложения, разработанные для использования в среде выполнения Java.
Другое отличие файлов JAR от обычных архивов — это то, что они содержат манифест. Это специальный метафайл, который, сообщает JAR, как себя вести во время запуска, и содержит информацию о файлах находящихся внутри.
Файл JAR также может содержать файлы CLASS (скомпилированный код Java), аудиофайлы, файлы изображений и многое другое.
JAR может использоваться для самых разных целей на настольных и мобильных устройствах. Например, это может быть игра, тема приложения или расширение браузера.
Как открыть файлы JAR
Если вы хотите открыть файл JAR, то есть запустить приложение, содержащееся в нем, вам необходимо установить среду выполнения Java. Возможно, он уже установлен на вашем компьютере, но я рекомендею еще раз скачать и обновить Java. Ниже вы узнаете почему это так важно.
Затем вы должны загрузить легкую утилиту под названием Jarx. Она заставляет файлы JAR вести себя как обычные программы на вашем компьютере. Таким образом, после установки Jarx вы можете открыть файл JAR, как любой другой файл, дважды щелкнув по нему.
Вы также можете запустить его из командной строки. Нажмите на Поиск и введите cmd. Щелкните правой кнопкой мыши и выберите «Запуск от имени администратора». Затем введите следующую команду, но замените имя_файла.jar полным путем к вашему файлу JAR:
Как извлечь JAR
Кроме того, вы можете распаковать файл JAR, чтобы увидеть, какие файлы в нем содержатся.
Чтобы распаковать JAR, вам нужна программа, которая может извлечь сжатые файлы. Для этого в Windows есть свой инструмент. Можно также использовать программное обеспечение для извлечения файлов, такое как 7-Zip или WinRAR.
Откройте файл JAR в любом из перечисленных выше архиваторов — это позволит просмотреть все папки и файлы находящиеся в нем, а также извлечь JAR-файлы.
Если вы не хотите устанавливать архиваторы, то можно воспользоваться онлайн-сервисами.
Хороший выбор — это Archive Extractor. Просто загрузите свой JAR, и он покажет вам содержимое файла в древовидной структуре. Нажмите на папку, чтобы открыть или развернуть ее, или выберите файл, чтобы загрузить его отдельно.
Как создать файлы JAR
Цель создания файлов JAR — объединение файлов для использования в качестве приложения Java.
Если это то, что вам нужно сделать, обратитесь к пакетным программам Oracle в документации к файлам JAR. Это даст вам всю необходимую информацию о том, как создать, упаковать и подписать файл JAR.
Как исправить проблемы с открытием JAR-файлов
Вы можете получить сообщение об ошибке при попытке открыть файл JAR, часто из-за несовместимости или настроек безопасности.
Обновите среду выполнения Java
Вы всегда должны запускать последнюю версию Java Runtime Environment.
Чтобы увидеть, какую версию Java вы используете, откройте меню «Пуск», введите команду «настроить java» и выберите результат. Панель управления Java откроется. На вкладке «Общие» нажмите «О программе» и убедитесь, что у вас установлена последняя версия, JAVA. О том какая последняя версия JAVA доступна для скачивания, вы можете узнать на сайте Oracle.
JAR открывается в неправильной программе
Windows может не знать, что делать с файлом JAR, и может попытаться открыть его в программе, которая не поддерживает этот формат.
Решить эту проблему можно следующим способом. Нажмите на файле правой кнопкой мыши и в выпадающем меню выберите «Открыть с помощью». Выберите из списка подходящее приложение и попробуйте запустить. Если среди списка нет нужной программы перейдите на «Выбрать другое приложение», выберите необходимое приложение и запустите файл.
JAR выдает ошибку безопасности при открытии
В последние годы Java рассматривается как угроза безопасности, поэтому не удивляйтесь, если при попытке открыть файл JAR вы получите предупреждение.
Вкладка «Безопасность» на панели управления Java
Чтобы решить эту проблему, откройте меню «Пуск» и введите «настроить Java». После чего откроется панель управления Java. Перейдите на вкладку «Безопасность». Убедитесь, что вы установили флажок Включить содержимое Java для приложений браузера и веб-запуска, установите высокий уровень безопасности и добавьте его в список сайтов исключений, если это необходимо. После этого нажмите ОК.
Заключение
Надеюсь, теперь вы понимаете, что такое файл JAR, как его открыть и как решить любые проблемы, с которыми вы можете столкнуться.