Convert TAR.XZ to ZIP online and open Linux source releases on Windows, Mac and phones. Upload files up to 20GB and download the converted result in a few clicks.
Drag & Drop your TAR.XZ file here
TAR.XZ files, up to 20GB
Files stay private.
Automatically deleted after 24 hours.
Link
20GB upload limit.
4.8/5
Trusted for 1,827,796+ conversions
HOW IT WORKS
Three steps, no account, nothing to install.
01
Upload your TAR.XZ file
Drag in a .tar.xz archive, such as a source release, backup or data set.
02
Convert to ZIP
Start the conversion. The xz stream is unpacked and every file is repacked into a ZIP with its folder structure.
03
Download the ZIP
Download the ZIP and open it on Windows, macOS, iPhone or Android without extra software.
TAR.XZ
TAR.XZ is a tar archive compressed with xz (LZMA2), the tightest of the common tar formats.
ZIP
ZIP is the most compatible archive format, opened by Windows, macOS, iOS, Android and every archive tool.
FILE FORMATS
SOURCE
xz uses the same LZMA2 compression as 7-Zip and usually produces the smallest tar archives, which is why the Linux kernel, GNU projects and many distributions publish .tar.xz releases. It takes longer to compress than gzip but decompresses quickly. Windows 10 and older can't open it in File Explorer.
TARGET
Phil Katz introduced ZIP in 1989, and it is now built into every major operating system. A ZIP compresses each file separately, usually with Deflate, so you can open a single file without unpacking the rest. Compression is weaker than 7z or xz, but nothing beats ZIP for opening anywhere.
| Feature | TAR.XZ | ZIP |
|---|---|---|
| Developed by | Tukaani Project (xz) | PKWARE (Phil Katz) |
| File extension | .tar.xz | .zip |
| Compression | xz / LZMA2 (whole archive) | Deflate (per file) |
| Packs | Files, folders, Unix permissions | Files and folders |
| Opens without extra software | Linux, macOS, Windows 11 | Yes, Windows, macOS, phones |
| Best for | Modern Linux source releases | Sharing with anyone |
USE CASES
When a TAR.XZ archive needs to open on Windows or a phone.
Open a Linux source release on Windows
Kernel and GNU releases ship as .tar.xz. Get the files without extra tools.
Browse source code on a Mac
macOS opens ZIP with a double-click.
Share a release with a Windows developer
Hand over a ZIP that opens anywhere.
Upload to a tool that only accepts ZIP
Web uploaders and LMS platforms often take ZIP but not .tar.xz.
Read a release on a tablet
iPads and Android tablets open ZIP files in their file apps.
Inspect a distribution package
Some package sources ship as .tar.xz.
Repack data for a colleague
ZIP is easier for non-technical users.
Get assets out of a game or emulator release
Some open-source releases use .tar.xz.
Check a release's files before building
Look inside without a Linux machine.
Keep a ZIP copy for easy access
Archive both formats.
SUPPORTED FILES
TAR.XZ archives of any common size are supported.
xz-compressed tar archives under either name.
Kernel, GNU and distribution source archives.
Folders and subfolders are recreated exactly inside the ZIP.
Nested archives are kept as files. Convert them separately if needed.
Each archive can be up to 20GB.
TROUBLESHOOTING
Tar and ZIP store different details, which explains most surprises.
01
ZIP compresses each file on its own, while TAR.XZ compresses the whole archive as one stream. ZIP is usually larger.
02
Links are a Unix feature that ZIP and Windows handle poorly. Recreate them after extracting if you need them.
03
Unix permissions don't always survive in a ZIP, especially once it's extracted on Windows. Run chmod +x on the script after extracting.
04
Older unzip tools can misread non-English file names. Use a current version of 7-Zip, The Unarchiver or your system's built-in extractor.
05
A cut-off download can't be unpacked completely. Download the archive again and check its checksum if one is published.
06
Check that the file really is the format its name says. A renamed file won't unpack.
7-Zip, WinRAR, Keka and The Unarchiver can unpack and repack archives once installed. dragdropdo converts TAR.XZ to ZIP in the browser, on any device.
| What matters | dragdropdo | 7-Zip and Desktop Archivers |
|---|---|---|
| Nothing to install | ✓Yes. Runs in any modern browser. | ~Yes, a download, unless your system already reads the format. |
| Works on phones and tablets | ✓Yes. Desktop, Android, iPhone and iPad. | ~Phone apps open archives but rarely repack them. |
| Batch conversion | ✓Yes. Add many files and download one ZIP. | ~7-Zip can with the command line. |
| Share finished files | ✓Yes. Send a unique link from the result page. | ~You upload and share the files yourself. |
| Pricing | ✓Free with daily limits. $2.99 or $6.99 passes for unlimited use, no monthly plan. | ~Free (7-Zip, Keka) to paid (WinRAR). |
| Password-protecting the archive | ✓Not in the converter. | ~Yes. 7-Zip and WinRAR can encrypt archives. |
Other tools use different pricing, limits and workflows. This comparison describes dragdropdo's own features without assuming every other tool works the same way.
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Auto-delete in 24h
WHY DRAGDROPDO
Convert TAR.XZ to ZIP in your browser, with nothing to install and nothing kept after 24 hours.
Private by default
Files are encrypted in transit and deleted from our servers automatically after 24 hours.
No install required
Convert in any modern browser on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iPhone or iPad. No app and no sign-up wall.
Big files and batches
Upload files up to 20GB each, add several at once, and download the results one by one or as a ZIP.
Share & download
Save finished files to your device or pass them on with a share link from the result page.
FAQ
Answers to common questions about dragdropdo's TAR.XZ to ZIP converter.
