RAR files are compressed archives that need special software to open

A RAR file is a compressed folder — think of it as a box that squeezes files down to take up less space. To see what is inside, you need software that knows how to "unzip" or decompress it. Unlike ZIP files, which Windows and Mac can open without extra software, RAR files almost always require you to install a program first.

The good news is that the software is free, and the process takes about two minutes once you have the right tool. The bad news is that you have to choose which tool to use, because there are several options and they work differently on different operating systems.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users can open RAR files with WinRAR (paid but free trial), 7-Zip (free), or PeaZip (free), all of which work the same way: right-click the file and select extract.
  • Mac users need The Unarchiver (free from the App Store) or Keka (free), since Mac does not come with RAR support built in.
  • Linux users can use the command line with the unrar or ugrep packages, or install a graphical tool like Xarchiver.
  • Before opening a RAR file from the internet, check that it came from a source you trust, because compressed files can hide malware.

Opening RAR files on Windows

Windows does not have built-in RAR support, so you need to install a program. The three most common choices are WinRAR, 7-Zip, and PeaZip. WinRAR is the official RAR software and costs money, but it includes a free 40-day trial that works indefinitely (you just get a nag screen). 7-Zip and PeaZip are both completely free with no trial period or limitations.

Once you have installed any of these programs, opening a RAR file is the same: right-click the RAR file, look for "Extract" or "Extract Here" in the menu, and click it. The program will create a new folder (or folders) in the same location with the contents inside. If you do not see an extract option, the software did not install correctly — try restarting your computer.

If you want to choose which folder the files go into, right-click and select "Extract to" instead, which will open a window where you can pick a destination. This is useful if you want to organize the files before extracting them.

Opening RAR files on Mac

Mac does not come with RAR support, so you will need to install software. The Unarchiver is the easiest option — it is free, available in the Mac App Store, and works with RAR files plus dozens of other compressed formats. Keka is another free option that does the same thing.

Once installed, opening a RAR file is straightforward: double-click it. The Unarchiver will extract the contents automatically to the same folder. If you want to choose where the files go, you can change this in The Unarchiver's settings before opening the file.

If double-clicking does not work, right-click the RAR file, select "Open With," and choose The Unarchiver from the list. If The Unarchiver does not appear in the list, the installation did not complete — try installing it again from the App Store.

Opening RAR files on Linux

Linux distributions usually come with command-line tools for handling RAR files, but not always. The most common tool is unrar, which you can install through your package manager. On Ubuntu or Debian, open a terminal and type sudo apt install unrar. On Fedora or Red Hat, type sudo dnf install unrar.

Once installed, navigate to the folder containing the RAR file in your terminal and type unrar x filename.rar (replace "filename.rar" with the actual name). The files will extract to the current folder.

If you prefer a graphical interface instead of the command line, you can install Xarchiver, which works like the Windows and Mac options — just right-click and extract. Install it with sudo apt install xarchiver on Debian-based systems or sudo dnf install xarchiver on Fedora-based systems.

What to do if the RAR file will not open

The most common reason a RAR file will not open is that the software is not installed or did not install correctly. Restart your computer after installing, because some programs need a restart to register themselves with the right-click menu.

If restarting does not work, the RAR file itself might be corrupted or incomplete. This happens when a read was interrupted or the file was damaged in transit. Try downloading it again from the source. If the file is very large (over 1 GB), it may have been split into multiple RAR files — you need all of them in the same folder before extracting, and you should extract the first one (usually named something like filename.part1.rar or filename.rar).

If you are certain the software is installed and the file is complete, try a different program. Sometimes a RAR file created with an older version of WinRAR will not open in 7-Zip, or vice versa. Installing a second program costs nothing and often solves the problem.

Security considerations when opening RAR files

Compressed files can hide malware because you cannot see what is inside until you extract them. Before opening a RAR file from the internet, make sure it came from a source you trust. If someone sent it to you in an email or a message, and you were not expecting it, do not open it.

After you extract a RAR file, treat the contents the same way you would treat any file from the internet. If it is an executable file (ends in .exe on Windows, or is marked as an process on Mac), do not run it unless you are certain it is safe. If it is a document, your antivirus software should scan it automatically, but you can also right-click and select "Scan with [your antivirus]" if you are unsure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a RAR file without installing software?

On Windows and Mac, no — you need software installed first. On Linux, you might already have unrar installed by default, so you can try opening it in the terminal. Some websites offer online RAR extraction tools, but uploading files to the internet to extract them is a security risk, so this is not recommended.

What is the difference between RAR and ZIP?

Both are compressed file formats, but ZIP is older and more universal. Windows and Mac can open ZIP files without extra software. RAR files compress better (they take up less space), but require special software. For most purposes, ZIP is more convenient unless you specifically need RAR's better compression.

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. The extracted files are now separate and do not depend on the RAR file anymore. Keep the RAR file only if you want to save space and do not need the extracted files right now.

Why is my antivirus warning me about the RAR file?

Antivirus software sometimes flags compressed files because it cannot scan inside them without extracting first. This is usually a false alarm, but if the warning mentions a specific threat, do not extract the file. Delete it and read it again from a trusted source.

Can I open a RAR file on my phone?

Yes, but you need an app. On Android, try RAR, ZArchiver, or Solid Explorer. On iPhone, The Unarchiver is available in the App Store. The process is the same — open the app, navigate to the RAR file, and tap to extract.