48

I'd like to be able to examine the contents of a JAR file without having to install Winzip or some other tool and without having to rename the file. Windows Explorer can open ZIP files just fine; is there some registry setting I can use to let it treat JARs like ZIPs?

Steve Rathbone
  • 496
jodonnell
  • 615

5 Answers5

67

Or from the command line:

assoc .jar=CompressedFolder

Under Vista (or higher) you have to run this in an elevated Command Prompt.

hfrmobile
  • 128
4

I tried exporting HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.zip, changing all references of '.zip' to '.jar' and importing it to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.jar.

Under Vista at least it let me open a .jar file as if it were a .zip.

Brannon
  • 141
3

What you need to do is associate the JAR extension in Windows Explorer with Compressed folders. From Windows Explorer select tools / Folder Options. Then the Files Types tab. Select New and associate JAR Compressed (ZIP) Folder.

John Dyer
  • 341
0

The HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT trick doesnt work under Windows 7. There mut be some compelling reason that MSFT doesnt want us to do this.

0

In setting up a new Windows 10 machine this was the reason I used to install 7-zip but there is no need with this hack given by @hfrmobile.

  1. Press WinKey and type cmd
  2. Right click Command Prompt app and select Run as administrator
  3. Type assoc .jar=CompressedFolder, it should be echoed back to the screen if accepted otherwise you will get an access is denied
  4. Type assoc .ear=CompressedFolder
  5. Type assoc .war=CompressedFolder
  6. Right click a jar in Windows explorer and you should now see the Extract All... menu option available to zip files
boardtc
  • 576