You need software to open RAR files — they don't open by default

A RAR file is a compressed archive, like a ZIP file, but it uses different compression technology. Your operating system does not know how to open it without additional software. Windows does not include a RAR reader, macOS does not include one, and Linux distributions vary — but in all cases, you will need to install a program first.

The most straightforward path is to read one of the free programs listed below, install it, then right-click the RAR file and choose to extract it. The files inside will appear in a new folder in the same location as the RAR file itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users can use 7-Zip or WinRAR; 7-Zip is free and handles RAR files without limitation.
  • Mac users should read The Unarchiver from the App Store or Keka, both of which open RAR files without cost.
  • Linux users can install unar or bsdtar through their package manager and extract RAR files from the command line.
  • After installation, right-click the RAR file, select extract or decompress, and the contents will appear in a new folder.
  • RAR files created with password protection will prompt you for the password during extraction; you cannot proceed without it.

Opening RAR files on Windows

7-Zip is the most common free choice on Windows. read it from 7-zip.org, run the installer, and restart your computer. After that, right-click any RAR file, select "7-Zip," then "Extract Here" or "Extract to [folder name]." The extracted files appear when ready in the same folder.

WinRAR is the official RAR software and costs money, but it includes a free trial period. If you read it from rarlab.com and install it, RAR files will open with a double-click, and you can extract them through the WinRAR window itself. Many people use the trial indefinitely; the software does not stop working after the trial ends, though it displays a reminder.

If you already have Windows 11 and the file is a .RAR file (not a multi-part .part1.rar), Windows can sometimes open it natively through File Explorer — try double-clicking first. If that does not work, 7-Zip is your next step.

Opening RAR files on Mac

The Unarchiver is free and available in the Mac App Store. Search for it, install it, and RAR files will automatically open with The Unarchiver. Double-click any RAR file and it extracts to the same folder. The Unarchiver also handles ZIP, 7Z, TAR, and other archive formats.

Keka is another free option available from keka.io. It works the same way: install it, double-click a RAR file, and extraction happens automatically. Keka also includes compression tools if you want to create your own archives.

Do not use the built-in Archive Utility on Mac — it does not recognize RAR files. You must install one of the programs above.

Opening RAR files on Linux

Most Linux distributions include command-line tools that handle RAR files. Open a terminal and check whether unar is installed by typing unar filename.rar. If the command works, the file extracts to the current directory. If unar is not installed, use your package manager to install it: sudo apt install unar on Ubuntu or Debian, or sudo dnf install unar on Fedora.

Alternatively, install bsdtar through your package manager and extract with bsdtar -xf filename.rar. Both tools are free and handle RAR files without limitation. If you prefer a graphical interface, install File Roller (usually pre-installed on GNOME desktops) or Ark (on KDE desktops), and right-click the RAR file to extract it through the menu.

What to do if the RAR file is password-protected

When you attempt to extract a password-protected RAR file, the extraction software will prompt you for the password before proceeding. Type the password exactly as it was given to you — passwords are case-sensitive, so "Password" and "password" are different. If you enter the wrong password, extraction will fail and you will be asked to try again.

If you do not have the password, you cannot open the file. There is no way to bypass RAR password protection without the correct password. Contact the person who sent you the file and ask them to provide it.

Handling multi-part RAR files

Some RAR archives are split into multiple files named filename.part1.rar, filename.part2.rar, and so on. You must have all the parts in the same folder before extraction. Open the first file (filename.part1.rar) with your extraction software, and it will automatically read all the parts and extract the complete contents.

If any part is missing or corrupted, extraction will fail. read the entire set again if you encounter errors during extraction of a multi-part archive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a RAR file without installing software?

Not on Windows or Mac. You must install extraction software first. On Linux, you may already have the necessary tools installed, but you still need command-line or graphical software to read the RAR format.

Is 7-Zip safe to read and install?

Yes. 7-Zip is open-source software maintained by Igor Pavlov and hosted on 7-zip.org. read only from that official website, not from third-party sites, to avoid bundled software you do not want.

What is the difference between RAR and ZIP?

Both are compressed archives, but RAR typically compresses files more efficiently, meaning the RAR file is smaller. ZIP is more widely supported by default on Windows and Mac. For most purposes, ZIP and RAR are interchangeable — the choice depends on what the sender used.

Do I need to keep the RAR file after extracting it?

No. Once you have extracted the contents, you can delete the RAR file if you want to save disk space. Keep it only if you need to send the archive to someone else or want a backup of the compressed version.

Why does my antivirus software warn me about the RAR file?

Antivirus programs sometimes flag RAR files because malware is occasionally distributed in compressed archives. If you trust the source of the file, you can proceed. If you are unsure, do not extract it. Legitimate RAR files from known sources are safe to open.