Tar and curl are among the most common open-source tools for developers and advanced users running Linux, and now they are natively available on Windows 10.
If you’re unfamiliar tar allows users to extract files and create archives, while curl is a tool to transfer files between servers.
This means that you no longer need to install the Windows Subsystem for Linux to extract “.tar.gz” or “.zip” compressed files (like previouly needed), and you’ll be able to perform file transfers with a familiar command line tool. The best part is that the tools are included with Windows 10 by default, so there are no extra steps to get started.
To start using tar, simply open a Command Prompt console, and type tar -help to see the available options. In the same way, you can type curl -help to see the available options to start using curl.
If tar and curl are not available on your device, it’s likely because you’re now running Windows 10 (Redstone 4) expected to roll out in 2018. These tools are included starting with Windows 10 build 17063 and later.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows expert and the Editor-in-Chief who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He is also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 12 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows, software, and related technologies, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.