Windows compact /u equivalent in Linux
Restores files previously compressed with gzip or xz.
compact /u
gunzip file.log.gz
gunzip file.log.gz
gunzip file.log.gz
Overview
What this command does
On Windows, "compact /u" is used to decompress individual files. On Linux, the closest practical mapping shown here is "gunzip file.log.gz". Restores files previously compressed with gzip or xz. This reference is grouped under File Management → Archives & Compression.
Windows → Linux context
What changes when you use this on Linux?
Equivalent task, different tool
Windows compact /u maps to gunzip file.log.gz for this task. Treat this as a workflow mapping rather than a character-for-character syntax translation.
Portable across the compared distros
The Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch rows use the same command in this mapping. Package availability or defaults can still vary, so check the installed tool version when an option behaves differently.
For the broader concept behind this mapping, read Linux filesystem for Windows users.
Practical tasks
Common use cases
Decompress individual files
Restores files previously compressed with gzip or xz.
gunzip file.log.gz
Restore a gzip-compressed file
gzip -dk file.log.gz
Decompress and keep the archive
unxz file.log.xz
Restore an xz-compressed file
Ready to run
Copyable Linux commands
Review paths, device names, package names and permissions before running any command.
gunzip file.log.gz
gzip -dk file.log.gz
unxz file.log.xz
Walkthrough
Examples with explanations
gunzip file.log.gz # decompress a .gz file
gzip -dk file.log.gz # decompress while keeping the compressed copy
unxz file.log.xz # decompress a .xz fileReference
Common options and variations
| Command or option | Use |
|---|---|
gunzip file.log.gz | Restore a gzip-compressed file |
gzip -dk file.log.gz | Decompress and keep the archive |
unxz file.log.xz | Restore an xz-compressed file |
Distro differences
Debian/Ubuntu vs Fedora vs Arch
Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch all use "gunzip file.log.gz" for this mapping. The command syntax shown here is portable across the three rows, although installed versions and system defaults can still vary.
| Distribution | Package manager / base | Equivalent command | Difference to notice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian/Ubuntu | same command | gunzip file.log.gz |
Same command on this distribution. |
| Fedora | same command | gunzip file.log.gz |
Same command on this distribution. |
| Arch | same command | gunzip file.log.gz |
Same command on this distribution. |
Keep learning