Extracting or opening RAR files can be the easiest task if you regularly use .rar or .zip formats. If you are new to exploring file formats such as RAR or are facing difficulties extracting RAR files, this article explains the simplest ways to open RAR files on Windows and Mac computers. With the help of the methods described, you will be able to learn how to extract large and multiple RAR files.
RAR and Zip file formats are the most popular compressed formats for transferring files via email from one drive to another, as they reduce storage space. Although RAR and Zip files use a compression algorithm to minimize the file size, RAR has an added advantage. With RAR, you can divide a single file into multiple pieces and send the file. You can also extract multiple files without any hassle.
The Simplest Way to Open/Extract RAR Files
Several applications open RAR files on Windows. WinRAR, specifically designed for the RAR file format, is the default application to extract RAR files. However, it is trialware, not a free app. You can use WinRAR to create RAR files easily. You can try free and open-source alternatives like 7Zip to extract RAR files.
How to Open RAR files on Windows?
The methods mentioned below can be used to open RAR Files in the Following Windows Versions: Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and older versions.
You can extract multiple RAR files using WinRAR or the 7-zip application, following the same procedure as for extracting/opening RAR files.
Open the RAR file with WinRAR
Follow the steps to open the RAR file in WinRAR:
- Double-click on the .rar file >> Select the files or folders you want to extract/open.
- Now, click on the Extract To icon at the top of the WinRAR window and choose a destination folder where you want to save the contents of the extracted RAR file >> OK
OR
- Right-click on the RAR file >> Choose Open with WinRAR
- Double-click on the file you want to open >> WinRAR will launch automatically.
- Open WinRAR >> Select the file/folder from the WinRAR
Note: If you are encountering the checksum error while opening the RAR file, it is recommended that the error be fixed immediately. Click on the link to learn how to fix the WinRAR checksum error using 3 efficient ways.
Open or Extract RAR file using 7-Zip
If you are looking for a Free, open-source application to unRAR files, 7-zip is the application you need. First, download the 7-zip application from the official website. When the download completes, launch the application and click the finish button.
Now, to extract RAR files, follow the steps given below
- Select the file you want to extract from the RAR archive.
- Right-clicking on the file>> displays multiple options, such as Open archive, Extract files, Extract here, Test archive, Add to archive, and Compress and email.
- Select Extract here. You will now be taken to another window that displays the time needed to extract all the files from the archive.
Now, you can view the extracted files in the same directory where they were opened.
OR
- Right-click the RAR file you want to open >> Select 7zip from the options listed
- Now, select Open archive >> 7zip file manager opens
- Click on Extract >> Choose the location you want>> OK
Once you click OK, the system will direct you to the next window, which displays the remaining time to extract all the files from the RAR archives.
How to Open RAR files on Mac?
To extract RAR files on macOS, you can use the free open-source application known as Unarchiver. Unlike Windows, Mac doesn’t have multiple options for extracting RAR files. However, Unarchiver supports the extraction of multiple files from RAR archives.
- Download and install the application on your Mac computer.
- right-click the RAR file in Finder >> Choose The Unarchiver from the Open with
- Enter the password if the RAR has encryption.
- Now, the app extracts the files to a new folder in the same directory
Note: To learn more about extracting an encrypted or password-protected RAR file, check this information.
How Do I Extract Large RAR Files?
The maximum limit of an RAR file could be 2^63 bytes in size, and the 7-zip archive limit is 2^64 bytes. Therefore, you can use the 7-zip archive to extract large RAR files easily. What if your RAR archive is corrupt? How would you extract RAR files? Well, do not worry, with SFWare Repair RAR file tool, you can fix corruption and extract RAR files with ease.
When you try extracting large RAR files, there is a chance of RAR file corruption as it exceeds the file size limit. In such situations, you can use SFWare RAR file Repair software that not only helps you repair the RAR file but also helps extract large RAR files without causing any damage to files. SFWare is the most recommended tool for repairing corrupt RAR files. the tool not only repairs but also extracts corruption-free RAR files.
Steps to Repair and Extract Corrupt RAR File
To Repair a corrupt RAR file, download and install the SFWare Repair RAR file on your computer and launch the application.
- Select the RAR file that you want to repair and click on Repair
- Now, Quick repairing and recovering/extracting process will take place
- Fixed Files can be stored on any external storage devices
Conclusion:
With all the above-mentioned methods, you can easily open/extract RAR files without hassle. Keeping multiple backups of important files is always recommended to avoid any data loss scenarios. Avoid interruptions while downloading large RAR files to evade RAR file corruption. If you encounter any trouble extracting files due to corruption or damage on the file, you can use the SFWare RAR file Repair tool.
