Reviews for File Roller
Login to ReviewCasey Thomas
May 07, 2026Frustratingly basic and unreliable
File Roller consistently fails to handle password-protected archives, even common ones like encrypted ZIP files, making it useless for basic security needs. The interface is bare-bones and lacks batch operations or advanced compression options that other free tools offer. It's frustrating that this is the default archive manager for GNOME, as it feels like a decade-old application that hasn't evolved.
Phoenix Harris
May 05, 2026Built-In but Barely Functional
As the default archive tool in GNOME, I expected File Roller to just work, but it's consistently frustrating. It frequently chokes on common archives, giving cryptic errors or just failing to open RAR and 7z files without the right command-line tools installed separately. The interface is simple, but its unreliability makes even basic tasks a gamble.
Skyler Hall
May 03, 2026Frustratingly Basic and Prone to Crashes
File Roller gets the job done for simple zip files, but it's incredibly frustrating for anything more complex. I've had it crash several times trying to extract large RAR archives, and the interface feels dated and clunky compared to modern alternatives. For a default GNOME utility, I expected better stability and more intuitive controls.
Anna Davis
May 02, 2026Simple and Reliable Archive Tool for GNOME
File Roller is my go-to for managing compressed files on my Linux desktop. It integrates perfectly with Nautilus, so I can extract or create archives with just a right-click. While it's not packed with advanced features, it handles all the common formats I need (ZIP, TAR, RAR) quickly and without fuss. It's a straightforward, solid tool that just works.
Sarah Lopez
May 01, 2026Essential Tool for GNOME, Does Exactly What You Need
File Roller has been my go-to for managing archives on Linux for years. It's seamlessly integrated into the GNOME desktop, so I can just right-click a .zip or .tar.gz file and extract it instantly. The interface is clean and straightforward, making it easy to create new archives or peek inside existing ones without any fuss. It handles all the common formats I encounter, and since it's free and comes pre-installed, it's perfect.
Avery Smith
Mar 15, 2026Good for basics, but with rough edges
File Roller is decent for simple tasks like extracting common formats on my GNOME system — it's already there and gets the job done. However, creating encrypted archives or handling some less common formats can be clunky, and I've had occasional crashes with larger archives. For a free, built-in tool, it's handy, but I wouldn't rely on it for anything more advanced.
Riley Moore
Mar 15, 2026Simple and Reliable Archive Manager for GNOME
File Roller has been my go-to archive tool for years on GNOME. It handles all the common formats I need like zip, tar.gz, and RAR without any fuss, and the integration with Nautilus makes extracting files as easy as right-clicking. The interface is clean and intuitive, though I do wish it had a built-in password manager for encrypted archives. Overall, it's a solid, dependable tool that gets the job done.
Emma Wright
Mar 13, 2026Frustratingly Limited and Buggy Archive Tool
While it's convenient that File Roller comes pre-installed with GNOME, it's consistently frustrating to use. It frequently fails to open some common RAR and 7z archives that other managers handle without issue, and the interface feels clunky and slow. For a basic tool included with the OS, it's acceptable for ZIP files, but for anything more complex, it's more of a hindrance than a help.
Sage Hill
Mar 12, 2026Gets the job done but feels dated
File Roller is perfectly functional for basic archiving needs in GNOME—it handles common formats like zip and tar without fuss, and the integration with Nautilus is convenient. However, the interface feels clunky and outdated compared to modern tools, and I've occasionally had issues with RAR extraction failing silently. It's fine for occasional use, but power users might want more robust alternatives.
David Walker
Mar 12, 2026Essential and Reliable for Daily Archive Tasks
As someone who regularly needs to compress and extract various archive formats, File Roller has become an indispensable tool on my GNOME desktop. It handles everything from simple .zip files to .rar and .7z archives seamlessly. The integration with the file manager makes it incredibly convenient, and the interface is clean and intuitive enough for both basic and occasional advanced tasks. It just works without any fuss.
Review Summary
Based on 14 reviews
Rating Distribution
File Roller
File Roller is an archive manager utility for the GNOME desktop environment. It allows users to create, view, edit, and …
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