Open the .rar file

Another time a RAR file might be useful is when a friend has a long list of files they want to share with you, like photos, for example. Instead of having you download every single image file individually, your friend can first compile the photos into a RAR file and then share just that one file with you. Once you open a RAR file, you can extract the data from the inside and then use the files like you would any other file on you computer.

Windows computers don't have a baked-in ability to open RAR files. If you double-click or double-tap a RAR file without having specific software installed to open it, you'll probably see one of the following messages: "Windows cannot open this file" or "How do you want to open this type of file.

The only problem with using WinRAR is that it's not free! Before you run off and buy it, please know that there are plenty of free RAR openers that can do the exact same thing but at zero cost. Of all the un-RAR tools out there, 7-Zip is probably the best one. After installing 7-Zip, set it up to automatically associate itself with RAR files so that, going forward, you'll be able to just open a RAR file from anywhere on your computer and it'll open automatically in 7-Zip.

A little disk icon will appear next to rar in the list. Save the changes with the OK button. If you're dealing with multipart RAR files named something like Another method is to use Unzip-Online , which lets you open RAR files without having any software installed, thanks to the fact that it works through your web browser.

See our review of Unzip-Online for all the details. All the extracting is done locally in your browser, and images can be previewed directly from the page. It opens and saves to your computer or Dropbox account.

More download links to free RAR extractors can be found in this list of free file extractor programs. There's no reason to use trial software or buy a RAR extractor when there are plenty of completely free ones. Some RAR files can be secured behind a password. With those RAR files, you'll need to enter the correct password before you can unpack the files out of the archive.

One problem with password protecting a RAR file is that you may have made your own RAR archive and secured it with a password, but have since forgotten what that password is! This is where a RAR password cracker comes in handy. Lots of different options let you customize how the different attacks should work. It uses brute force to make guessing attempts at the password.

RAR Extractor not only unpacks your RAR files, but it also lets you peek inside and preview images, documents and even emails. Fine-tuned for speed, RAR Extractor works quickly without consuming a lot of memory or hard drive space. Download the friendliest RAR extractor today! Stay informed about special deals, the latest products, events, and more from Microsoft Store. Available to United States residents.

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Tips and Warnings. Related Articles. Article Summary. Method 1. Download iZip. Open your RAR file. It will "open" to a grey screen with the RAR file's name in the middle of the screen. Because iPhones don't have file managers, your RAR file is most likely in an email app or a cloud storage app. Scroll all the way to the right. Swipe from right to left across the top row of apps in the menu.

You should see the iZip folder icon appear. Tap Copy to iZip. This is the yellow folder icon near the end of the row of apps. Doing so will open the RAR folder in iZip. Tap OK when prompted. This will "unzip" the RAR's files, which will make them accessible. If you aren't prompted to unzip the files, do the following: Tap the circle to the left of each file in the RAR folder.

Tap Extract at the bottom of the screen. Method 2. Download the RAR file onto your Android. If the RAR file isn't on your Android's hard drive, you'll need to download it. Open the app in which the RAR is stored e. If the RAR is already stored on your Android, skip this step. Download the WinZip app. WinZip is a free app that allows you to open many different types of compressed file, including RAR files.

Tap OPEN. This is a green button near the top of the WinZip app page. Doing so opens WinZip. It's at the bottom of the WinZip home page. You may first have to swipe left through a few advertisements. Go to your RAR file. OneDrive Windows 7 and 8. Copy and Paste Between Android and Windows. Protect Windows 10 From Internet Explorer.

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