- Windows: install 7-Zip → right-click the .rar → 7-Zip → Extract Here.
- Mac: install The Unarchiver from the App Store → double-click the .rar.
- Password-protected RAR? Same process — you’ll be prompted for the password during extraction.
What is a RAR file?
RAR is a compressed archive format, like ZIP — but created by a different tool (WinRAR) and generally capable of better compression. RAR files end in .rar and sometimes split across multiple parts named .part1.rar, .part2.rar, and so on.
Neither Windows nor macOS can open .rar files natively. You need a third-party tool. The good news: the best ones are free.
How to open RAR files on Windows
The simplest, safest method — and it’s free.
- Install 7-Zip Go to 7-zip.org and download the 64-bit Windows version. Install it (takes about 30 seconds).
- Right-click the .rar file On Windows 11, click “Show more options” first to see the 7-Zip menu.
- Choose “Extract Here” or “Extract to [folder]” Extract Here puts files in the same location; Extract to [folder] creates a tidy new folder.
- If prompted, enter the password Paste it exactly — passwords are case-sensitive. Click OK.
archive.part1.rar, archive.part2.rar, keep them all in the same folder. Right-click only part1 and extract — 7-Zip will automatically pull from the other parts.How to open RAR files on Mac
macOS’s built-in Archive Utility cannot open .rar files. Use The Unarchiver (free) or Keka (also free, more powerful).
Method 1 — The Unarchiver (recommended)
- Install The Unarchiver Open the App Store, search for The Unarchiver, click Get. It’s free.
- Set it as the default for .rar In Finder, right-click any .rar → Get Info → under Open with, choose The Unarchiver → click Change All…
- Double-click the .rar file It will extract into the same folder. If encrypted, enter the password when prompted.
Method 2 — Keka (for large or complex archives)
Keka handles big .rar files better than The Unarchiver. Download from keka.io or the App Store. Drag your .rar onto the Keka icon to extract.
Troubleshooting RAR problems
1“The archive is corrupted or incomplete”
For multi-part archives: make sure every part (part1, part2, part3…) is in the same folder and all have the same base name. If any part is missing, extraction fails.
For a single .rar: re-download it — the transfer was likely interrupted. If the sender used WinRAR’s recovery record, 7-Zip can often repair minor damage automatically.
2Wrong password on a RAR
Same rules as ZIP: copy-paste don’t type, check for trailing spaces, watch for 0/O and 1/l/I. RAR passwords are always case-sensitive.
3Can’t see 7-Zip in the right-click menu
On Windows 11, right-click first, then click “Show more options” (or press Shift+F10) to reveal the full menu. Microsoft hid classic menu items by default.
4Windows 11 native RAR support
Windows 11 version 23H2 (late 2023) and later can open basic .rar files natively — double-click works. But for password-protected or multi-part RARs, 7-Zip is still more reliable.
Frequently asked questions
Is RAR better than ZIP?
RAR typically compresses files about 10–15% smaller than ZIP thanks to more advanced algorithms, and it supports stronger encryption (AES-256) and robust error recovery. The downside is that RAR is proprietary — you need WinRAR or a compatible tool to create them. For everyday use, ZIP is the more portable choice.
Do I need WinRAR to open a .rar?
No. 7-Zip (Windows) and The Unarchiver (Mac) both open .rar files for free. WinRAR is the original tool but isn’t required for extraction.
Is WinRAR really free?
Technically no — WinRAR is shareware with a 40-day trial. In practice, the trial never stops working; it just nags you. If you only need to open RARs (not create them), 7-Zip is the cleaner, fully-free choice.
How do I tell if a RAR file is password-protected before extracting?
In 7-Zip, right-click the file and choose 7-Zip → Properties. If the “Encrypted” field says Yes, you’ll need a password to extract.