What third-party utility is required for the tar compression format on Windows?

The tar compression format, which stands for "tape archive," is commonly used in Unix and Linux environments but is not natively supported on Windows. To manage files in the tar format on a Windows system, a third-party utility is required. 7-Zip is a popular choice for handling tar files as it offers the ability to create and extract files compressed in this format effectively.

In addition to tar, 7-Zip supports a range of other compression formats, making it a versatile tool for file management. Its open-source nature, ease of use, and active community support contribute to its popularity among Windows users who need to work with tar archives.

Other alternatives like WinZip and WinRAR can also handle tar files, but 7-Zip is particularly lauded for its free status and ability to integrate seamlessly with Windows Explorer, further enhancing user convenience. This makes 7-Zip not only a viable option but often the preferred choice when it comes to working with tar files on Windows.