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Linux · Accessories

File Roller

File Roller is GNOME's default archive manager for opening, creating, and editing compressed files.

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License
GPL-2.0+
Latest version
44.7 (June 22, 2026)
Developer
Paolo Bacchilega
Installs
5,010 (Flathub, 30 days)
Install Website ↗ Source code ↗
File Roller's main interface
File Roller's main interface

What is File Roller?

File Roller has been part of the GNOME desktop since the early 2000s, maintained by Paolo Bacchilega. It’s mature, stable, and tightly integrated into GNOME, making it a reliable choice for basic archiving tasks. While minimal in appearance, it leverages GNOME’s design principles—simplicity and directness—without extra bloat.

It’s best for users on GNOME or similar desktops who need a straightforward tool for handling common archive formats like .zip, .tar.gz, and .tar.xz. If you're not dealing with obscure or password-protected archives frequently, File Roller covers everyday needs without complexity. It’s ideal for users who prefer GUI tools over command-line alternatives.

Compared to 7-Zip or WinRAR, it feels simpler and less feature-rich. There’s no built-in archive repair, no benchmarking, and limited batch support. But it opens archives quickly, integrates with the file manager, and avoids the clutter seen in some Windows tools. It’s not a replacement for power users, but it gets routine jobs done.

Best for: Users on GNOME who want a simple, integrated tool for everyday archive tasks.

Key features of File Roller

  • Open and extract common archive formats (zip, tar, gzip, bzip2, xz)
  • Create new archives in zip, tar, and compressed tar formats
  • Add files to existing archives
  • View archive contents without extraction
  • Password-protect zip files
  • Integrates with GNOME Files (Nautilus)
  • Supports drag-and-drop from file manager
  • Can use command-line backends like tar, gzip, 7z

Pros

  • Lightweight and fast for basic tasks
  • Tightly integrated with GNOME desktop
  • Supports most common archive types
  • Free and open-source
  • Simple, clean interface

Cons

  • Limited support for rare or legacy formats like .ace or .lzh
  • No advanced features like archive repair or splitting
  • Interface can feel sparse or underpowered next to WinRAR
  • Few customization options

Windows programs File Roller replaces

7-ZipIZArcPeaZipWinAceWinZip

How to install File Roller on Linux

Flatpak (Flathub)flatpak install flathub org.gnome.FileRoller
Ubuntu / Mintsudo apt install file-roller
Debiansudo apt install file-roller
Fedorasudo dnf install file-roller
Arch / Manjarosudo pacman -S file-roller
openSUSEsudo zypper install file-roller

Tips for Windows users

If you're used to 7-Zip or WinRAR, note that File Roller doesn’t list every format in the main window—some, like .7z, are supported but not emphasized. Use the 'Other Actions' menu to create encrypted or multi-part archives. Keyboard shortcuts are standard (Ctrl+O to open, Ctrl+N for new), but advanced operations often require right-clicking in the file manager. For formats like .rar, ensure unrar or 7-zip is installed system-wide.

Recent releases

  • 44.7 —

    This release fixes the following bugs: - New Archive Dialog: allow input of an absolute path directly. - Check line length when parsing command output. - Java Utils: make sure the package name respects the max size. - Metainfo: Add screenshot caption. -…

  • 44.6 —

    This release fixes the following bugs: - LHA: parse lha list output correctly. - RAR: fixed error when the archive contains big files. - 7zip: fixed “follow links” flag. - unarchiver: allow unar to open StuffIt archives. - New Archive: fixed options…

  • 44.5 —

    This release fixes the following bugs: - 7zip: ask the password again if it is wrong.

  • 44.4 —

    This release adds the following feature: - Added bzip3 support. - File selector: show volumes and allow to mount unmounted volumes. - New archive dialog: allow to use all the possible extensions a mime type supports. - New archive dialog: allow to specify a…

File Roller: frequently asked questions

Does File Roller support .rar files?

Yes, but only if you have unrar or 7-zip installed on your system. Extraction works, but you can't create .rar files.

Can I password-protect zip files in File Roller?

Yes. When creating a .zip, choose 'Create Encrypted Archive' and set a password in the dialog that appears.

Why can't I open some archive types?

File Roller relies on command-line tools. Install missing backends like p7zip or unrar for full format support.

Is File Roller available outside GNOME?

Yes, it runs on any desktop, but integrates best with GNOME. It’s available in most distro repositories.

Updated