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RAR files are used to combine and compress multiple files when sending them together. We’ll show you how to open RAR files on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. But first, install a security app like Avast One to protect your device from unknown files and malicious downloads.
Here’s how to unpack a RAR file using WinRAR:
Download and install the WinRAR app.
Right-click the RAR file you want to open.
Select Open with WinRAR.
Click Extract To.
Then select a destination folder for the unpacked files.
Your RAR file is now open, and all the files are available in the destination folder you selected. Or, you can open the files directly from the WinRAR window.
Download the Unarchiver directly or find it on the App Store.
Launch the app and open the Preferences menu.
Click on the Archive Formats tab.
Ensure there’s a checkmark next to RAR Archive.
Click the Extraction tab
Select where you want the extracted folder to be saved.
Find the .rar formatted file and right-click it.
Select Open With > The Unarchiver.
If you already selected a default destination, skip to the last step.
Select a destination folder for the unpacked files.
Finally, click Extract.
Your RAR file has now been unpackaged. The files it contained are available in the destination folder you selected.
Here’s how to unpack a RAR file using iZip:
Find iZip on the App Store and tap Get.
Alternatively, download iZip directly.
Find the RAR file on your iPhone.
Tap the iOS share icon.
Select iZip from the list of available apps.
Select OK when prompted.
iZip will now get to work extracting the files.
Large quantities of compressed data may take a while to extract.
Once your RAR file is open, the files it contains will be available in a new folder in the same location, and with the same name, as the original RAR file.
Here’s how to unpack a RAR file using WinZip:
Download WinZip directly from their website.
Or you can get it from the Google Play store.
Launch the app by tapping the WinZip icon on your home screen.
Tap Start on the WinZip welcome screen.
Select the free trial option.
Now you’re ready to find the RAR file you want to open.
Tap the three-dots icon next to the RAR file.
Select Unzip to from the menu.
Choose a destination folder for the extracted files.
Then tap Unzip here.
Once your RAR file is open, you can find the files it contained in a new folder in the same location, and with the same name, as the original RAR file.
Open WinRAR.
Use the drop-down menu to select the folder with the files you want to compress into a RAR file. Select the individual files and folders you want to include in the RAR file (hold down the Ctrl key on your keyboard to select multiple files).
Click Add. You can also edit the file name for the new RAR file. Check that the Archive format is set to RAR. Here, you can also adjust compression level, volume size, and other archiving parameters. Click OK to create the new RAR file.
Wait while the RAR file is created. To minimize the WinRAR window during this process, click Background.
Once the file has been created, you’ll see the new RAR file selected in the WinRAR window. Your RAR file is automatically saved to the same folder as the original files.
And that’s how you make a RAR file! If file compression is your main goal, you might also consider creating a ZIP file, which gives you similar benefits.
Right-click the RAR file you want to convert and select Open with > WinZip.
Click the down arrow next to Unzip to and select the folder location where you want to save the contents. Then click Unzip to start unpackaging the original .rar files.
Then, click the From PC or Cloud icon on the WinZip top menu ribbon, and drag and drop all the extracted files into the WinZip window.
In the menu, select File > Save As. Choose the folder location where you want to save the new ZIP file and click Save.
And that’s it — your RAR file has now been converted to a ZIP file.
Here’s how to password protect a RAR file using WinRAR on Windows:
Add your files to a new RAR archive by following steps 1 and 2 in our how to create a RAR file instructions above.
Click the Add icon in the top-left corner of the screen.
After naming the new RAR file, click Set password.
Enter a password for the file, then re-enter the password to confirm it.
Check the Encrypt file names box, then click OK.
Click OK to create your RAR file, which will be password-protected.
