Archivers can significantly save space on your hard drive. On average, the compression level can be up to 30-70%. Therefore, we will tell you in detail how to open a RAR file on a computer, as well as other devices and operating systems.
Select your platform
- Windows 10
- Windows 8
- Windows 7
- Online services
- Android
- iPhone
- MacOS
First, we need to download a program that has the functionality we need. We have specifically highlighted the best options to make it easier for you to choose. But WinRar is certainly preferable. There is only one caveat.
The license implies that you will use it for 40 days. After this period, you will need to purchase the program or completely remove it.
Since the developers have a fairly loyal sales policy, the functionality is not blocked at the end of the trial period. You can use all the features as before. But now, upon startup, a window will appear reminding you that it’s time to pay money.
Free
- 7zip
- PeaZip
- PowerArciver
- Universal Extractor
Paid
- Winrar
- WinZip
We will assume that now one of our recommended applications is already installed on your PC.
The algorithm of actions for almost all points will be identical, but we decided to give clear instructions for each of them. By following the steps described you will achieve the desired result.
Solving the problem on Windows 10
Let's start with some simple advice. Before opening a RAR file on Windows 10, it is not necessary to launch the archiver program and drag the archive into it. This is an absolutely unnecessary action, because... For your convenience during installation, the most important functions are automatically built into the context menu.
So what should you do?
- Right-click on the archive;
- Extract the files and OK.
Nothing complicated. From any location you perform 2 simple steps and unpacking occurs.
If you use another archiver, then nothing changes. Only some unpackers will first need to be launched, selected the desired file and only then extracted from the data. But this is a special case that will not be considered in this material.
How to work with an archive divided into many parts? Select all volumes at once and repeat the above steps.
Now on Windows 8
In Windows 8, the opening process is exactly the same, so we've attached screenshots so you can see for yourself.
- Right click
- Extract to the current folder or other desired location
This version of the operating system was not the most successful, but essentially a pass-through. You can even say that we saw testing of a fundamentally new interface without elements familiar to the user. In the end, they ended up releasing Windows 10, which ironed out most of the shortcomings.
Universal program WindowsRAR.ru
So, the program for RAR files - Windows.RAR.ru, can be downloaded on the Internet or bought, but immediately select the Russian version (Russian). If you downloaded it via the Internet, then it has a trial period - 40 days, after which WinRAR continues to work, but at the same time, it begins to remind you of the required license every time you start it. Installing Windows.RAR.ru is not difficult.
In order to open a RAR file using this program, you just need to right-click on the file and select one of the options:
- Extract file - a window will open to unpack files;
- Extract to current folder – to transfer files to the current folder;
- Extract to “folder name” - transfers the necessary files to a new folder with the archive name.
At the same time, the simplest options are the second and third. If you select the first option, a window will appear in which you can specify a specific path for saving files and some other parameters, among them:
Update mode
It has the following features:
- Extract with replacement of files - if the current folder contains the same files as in the RAR archive, then they will be replaced with new ones.
- Extract with updating RAR files - in fact the same as the previous one, but older files will be replaced.
- Update only existing files – the update will occur, the remaining files will not be extracted from the archive.
Overwrite mode
It is used to replace files that already exist. Using it, you can unpack a damaged or incompletely downloaded archive. Moreover, the default settings state that if there are errors in the file, it will not be unpacked. If you select the action “Leave damaged files on the disk”, then in this case the damaged archive will be partially unpacked, this will be affected by the degree of its damage.
So, having figured out the program for RAR files – WindowsRAR.ru, you can make your work much easier, since files with a large amount of information will not cause any more problems.
And of course Windows 7
This OS is still popular and many people do not even plan to change it in the near future, so we could not ignore it. How to open a RAR file on Windows 7 in the fastest way? Quite simple.
- Right-click on the archive
- Extract files (or to current folder)
- OK
The unpacking time depends entirely on the file size. If it is very large, we recommend that you completely close other applications before performing the operation. On old and weak computers, this is actually a mandatory requirement. Otherwise, you may encounter freezes and various errors.
What should you do if, for various reasons, you cannot download programs that open zipped files? This situation may well be real, so we specifically found an alternative option that will allow you to easily get out of this difficult situation. How to do this?
How to open a RAR file
Windows computers do not have the built-in ability to open RAR files. If you double-click a RAR file without installing specific software, you'll likely see one of the following messages: "Windows can't open this file" or "How do you want to open this file type (.rar)?"
RAR is actually the native format of an archive program called WinRAR. The only problem with using WinRAR is that it is a paid program! However, before you think about buying one, know that there are many free RAR extractors that can do the same thing, but at zero cost.
Of all the RAR decompression tools, 7-Zip is probably the best.
Once you install 7-Zip, set it up to automatically link to RAR files so that you can later open the RAR file from anywhere on your computer using 7-Zip.
To do this, open 7-Zip File Manager from the Start menu and go to Tools → Settings. Select rar from the list of file types and then click the + button for the current user or for all users (or both). A small disk icon will appear next to rar in the list. Save the changes with the OK button.
You can also open RAR files with 7-Zip by right-clicking on them and selecting 7-Zip → Open Archive from the pop-up context menu. If you are dealing with compound RAR files (names like 123.part1.rar, 123.part2.rar, etc.), first select all the parts of the RAR file and then right-click one of them; from the menu select 7-Zip → Extract files .
7-Zip is not the only free program that can open RAR files. PeaZip and jZip are two alternative RAR extractors.
Mac users can use Keka or The Unarchiver to download RAR files.
Another method is to use something like Unzip-Online, which allows you to open RAR files without installing any software, thanks to the fact that it works through your web browser.
WinZip Free is often offered as a free tool for opening RAR, but in reality it is just a trial version. There is no point in using trial software or buying a RAR unpacker when there are many completely free alternatives.
We resort to online services
These are specialized sites that in some cases can replace the archiver. Far from popular, but the easiest way, because... In order to open a RAR file online for free, you do not need to install any software.
Let's start our review with the most famous resources.
- https://extract.me/ru/ - works with password-protected archives, as well as those broken into parts. All popular formats are supported. It is possible to download not only from a computer, but also from Google drive, Dropbox or as a direct link;
- https://online.b1.org/online - gets the job done very quickly and is completely free. Unfortunately, the interface is entirely in English, so for those who do not understand it, you will need to use an online translator;
- https://unzip-online.com/en/Zip - you can upload files no larger than 200 megabytes. The results are presented in tree form, which is very convenient;
- https://funzip.net/ - works with a volume of up to 400 megabytes;
- Archive Extractor browser extension. Just a couple of clicks and that's it.
Please note that when working in this format, downloaded archives are copied to a third-party service. For your safety, we strongly recommend using regular software for these purposes. Or use at your own peril and risk.
RAR file extension
Updated:
07/08/2019
How to open a RAR file?
The inability to open files with the RAR extension can have various origins. What is important is that all common problems associated with files with the RAR extension can be resolved by the users themselves. The process is fast and does not require the participation of an IT specialist. The list below will guide you through the process of resolving your issue.
Step 1. Get WinRAR
The main and most common reason that prevents users from opening RAR files is that the user's system does not have a program installed that can handle RAR files. This problem can be resolved by downloading and installing # RECOMMENDED # or another compatible program such as WinZip, 7-Zip, StuffIt Deluxe. Above you will find a complete list of programs that support RAR files, classified according to the system platforms for which they are available. If you want to download the WinRAR installer in the most secure way, we recommend that you visit win.rar GmbH and download it from the official repositories.
Step 2: Make sure you have the latest version of WinRAR installed
Are you still unable to access RAR files even though WinRAR is installed on your system? Make sure your software is up to date. Sometimes software developers introduce new formats to replace existing ones with new versions of their applications. The reason that WinRAR cannot handle RAR files may be that the software is outdated. The latest version of WinRAR is backwards compatible and can work with file formats supported by older versions of the software.
Step 3: Link WinRAR Compressed Archive files to WinRAR
After installing WinRAR (the most recent version), make sure it is set as the default application for opening RAR files. The next step shouldn't be a problem. The procedure is simple and largely system independent
Selecting your first choice app in Windows
- Right-clicking on RAR will bring a menu from which you should select the Open with option
- Click Select another app and then select the More apps option
- The last step is to select the option Find another application on this... specify the path to the folder where WinRAR is installed. Now all that remains is to confirm your choice by selecting Always use this application to open RAR files
and clicking OK.
Selecting your first choice app on Mac OS
- Right-click on the RAR file and select Information.
- Open the Open with section by clicking its name
- Select the appropriate software and save the settings by clicking Change all
- Finally, this change will be applied to all files with the RAR extension
and a message should appear. Click the Forward button to confirm your selection.
Step 4: Make sure the RAR file is complete and free of errors
If the problem still occurs after following steps 1-3, check if the RAR file is valid. The file is likely corrupted and therefore inaccessible.
RAR may be infected with malware - be sure to check it with an antivirus.
If the file is infected, the malware found in the RAR file interferes with attempts to open it. It is recommended that you scan your system for viruses and malware as soon as possible, or use an online virus scanner. If the RAR file is indeed infected, follow the instructions below.
Make sure the RAR file structure is intact
If the RAR file was sent to you by someone else, ask that person to send you the file. It is possible that the file was copied by mistake and the data has lost its integrity, preventing access to the file. If the RAR file was only partially downloaded from the Internet, try downloading it again.
Check if your account has administrative rights
Sometimes a user needs administrator rights to access files. Log in using an administrator account and see if that solves the problem.
Make sure the system has enough resources to run WinRAR
If the system has insufficient resources to open RAR files, try closing all currently running applications and try again.
Make sure your operating system and drivers are up to date
Up-to-date system and drivers not only make your computer more secure, but can also solve problems with the WinRAR Compressed Archive file . RAR files may work correctly with updated software that fixes some system errors.
For Android phone owners
Modern smartphones today are quite powerful devices that can partially replace desktop PCs. Their only drawback is the low amount of built-in memory. Yes, it can be increased with memory cards up to 128 and even 256 gigabytes, but even such a “bonus” will sooner or later come to an end.
Therefore, many archive photos and videos, as well as other multimedia data. In addition, it is much more convenient to send a large number of files as an archive. How to open RAR on Android and with what application, because this OS itself does not have built-in components that allow you to do this?
- Go to the address - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rarlab.rar&hl=ru
- Click on the “Install” button and wait until the installation is completed;
- Then open
- For the application to work correctly, you must give it the necessary access;
- Using the file manager, find the archive, check the box next to it and click on the icon with the up arrow;
- If necessary, change the settings and click on “OK”.
There are built-in advertisements that can be closed only after viewing, as well as paid services.
TOP 5 best applications for iPhone when working with RAR
You can open RAR on an iPhone using standard means, but we advise you to resort to this method only as a last resort, because... it is inconvenient and requires launching the Safari browser and downloading the archive via iCloud. It will probably be easier to download an application that will do everything in a couple of clicks.
What's the best way to download?
- iZip – Zip Unzip Unrar from ComcSoft Corporation. In addition to the function we need, it can automatically compress photos taken on the camera, as well as music from iTunes Music. There is support for Dropbox, as well as setting a complex password. And most importantly, it’s free to use!
- Zip Browser. Convenient navigation and viewer have been implemented. If you wish, you can send the contents of the archive by email in its entirety or individual files. As a nice addition, you can open Pdf, Word, Excel, Open Office and any graphic images.
- ZipApp Free - The Unarchiver. Universal ZIP and RAR unpacker. It can compress individual entire directories and send data via FTP or iTunes File Sharing. Understands many other formats, but glitches occur. What to do if the archive format is defined as “unknown”? Just rename the extension to .rar or .zip.
- RAR APP. An excellent free utility in the style of “minimalism”. Nothing extra, just the most important things. Unfortunately, the translation into English leaves much to be desired.
- Unzip tool(zip/rar/un7z). Integration with OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, Box. You will be able to send archives to storage and download them again when necessary. The developer took care of its users and created a channel on Youtube, where he posted detailed training videos.
We hope with this selection you won’t have any more questions. If you know better options, send them to us using the feedback form and we will be happy to supplement our material.
What if I have a MacBook?
It would seem not a problem. We take and install Winrar and the job is done. In practice, you will receive a utility that is controlled using the command line. Why is that?
It's difficult to answer, so we decided to find other options that will allow you to open a RAR file on Mac OS in the usual way.
- The Unarchiver. Start with this program. The interface is normally translated into Russian, which distinguishes it very favorably from its competitors.
- RAR Extractor Lite. After installation, double-click on the archive and it will unpack.
- Keka. At first glance, this is a paid archiver, but it is only available as such in the Mac App Store. From the official website https://www.kekaosx.com/ru/ you can download it for free. If it becomes an indispensable tool for you, then thank the developers with a one-time donation.
We hope we helped you and now you know what software and how exactly it needs to be used to work with this type of archive.
Free programs to open RAR files
7-Zip has a simple and easy to understand interface. In addition, the program has been translated into 74 languages.
You can download the 7-Zip program on the official website https://www.7-zip.org/.
PeaZip is a simple, free archiver. PeaZip allows you to open files in RAR format. In addition, using this archiver you can unarchive formats such as ACE, CAB, CHM, ARJ, DEB, ISO, CPIO, Java archives, LZMA, NSIS installers, LZH, PET/PUP, PAK/PK3/PK4, OpenOffice.org formats, RAR, RPM, SMZIP, U3P, Z, XPI, ZIPX.
You can download the PeaZip program on the official website https://peazip.sourceforge.net/.
IZArc is a simple, free archiver. Like PeaZip, this archiver can unpack many formats, including 7-ZIP, ACE, ARC, A, ARJ, BH, BIN, B64, BZ2, C2D, CDI, BZA, CAB, DEB, ENC, CPIO, GZ, GZA , IMG, ISO, GCA, JAR, LHA, HA, LZH, MBF, LIB, MDF, NRG, PAK, MIM, PDI, RAR, RPM, PK3, TAZ, TBZ, TAR, TGZ, UUE, WAR, TZ, YZ1 , Z, XXE, ZIP and ZOO. Among the unusual functions, it is necessary to note the ability to convert archives from one format to another.
You can download the IZArc program on the official website https://www.izarc.org/.
