What is a RAR file & how do I open a RAR file (WinRAR Compressed Archive)?

.RAR (WinRAR Compressed Archive) - File Extension

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Developer: Eugene Roshal
File format: Binary

What is a RAR file?

RAR is a popular file format for compressing and archiving data. It was developed by a Russian software engineer, Eugene Roshal, and stands for “Roshal Archive.” The RAR format is known for its high compression ratio and strong encryption, making it a popular choice for storing and sharing large files.

When a file is compressed, it takes up less space on a hard drive or other storage device. This is especially useful when sending files over the internet or via email, as it reduces the time it takes to transfer the data.

RAR files use a proprietary compression algorithm, which is more efficient than many other compression formats. As a result, RAR files are often smaller in size than files compressed with other formats, such as ZIP or TAR.

How to open a RAR file

To open a RAR file, you will need a program that is capable of extracting the contents of the RAR file. There are several tools that can open RAR files, including:

  • WinRAR: This is a popular program that can open RAR files on Windows. You can download a trial version for free or purchase a license to use the full version.
  • 7-Zip: This is a free, open-source program that can open RAR files on Windows.
  • UnrarX: This is a free program for opening RAR files on the Mac.
  • Unzip-Online: This is a free online tool that can open RAR files in your web browser.

To open a RAR file with one of these tools, right-click on the RAR file and choose the “Extract” or “Open” option. You may need to specify a destination folder for the extracted files. If the RAR file is password-protected, you will also need to enter the correct password to access the contents of the file.

How to convert a RAR file

To convert a RAR file to a different file format, you will need to use a file conversion tool. There are several tools available that can convert RAR files to other formats, such as:

  • Online-Convert: This is a free online tool that can convert RAR files to a variety of formats, including ZIP, 7Z, and TAR.GZ.
  • FileZigZag: This is another free online tool that can convert RAR files to other formats such as ZIP, ARJ, and 7Z.
  • Convertio: This online tool provides the users with the option to convert RAR files into a bunch of formats, including ZIP, TAR.GZ, ARJ, and others.

To convert a RAR file using one of these tools, you will need to follow these steps:

  1. Go to the website of the conversion tool you have chosen.
  2. Select the RAR file that you want to convert. You can do this by clicking the “Choose File” button and selecting the file from your computer.
  3. Choose the output format that you want to convert the RAR file to.
  4. Click the “Convert” button to start the conversion process.
  5. Wait for the conversion to be complete. This may take a few minutes, depending on the size of the file and the conversion tool you are using.
  6. Download the converted file to your computer.

Note: Some conversion tools may require you to create an account or purchase a subscription to use their services. Additionally, some RAR files may contain password-protected or encrypted content that cannot be converted without the correct password.

How to create a RAR file

Creating a RAR file is a simple process that involves selecting the files and folders you want to include in the archive and then using a RAR archiving tool to create the RAR file.

There are several tools available that can create RAR files, such as WinRAR and 7-Zip. These tools typically allow you to specify the name and location of the RAR file, as well as various settings such as the compression level and password protection.

To create a RAR file with one of these tools, you can follow the prompts to select the files and folders to include, choose the “Create RAR” option, and then specify the name and location for the RAR file. You may also be able to customize other settings, such as the compression level or password protection, depending on the tool you are using.

More information

In addition to compression, RAR files also offer the ability to archive data. Archiving involves grouping multiple files into a single container, called an archive. This is useful for organizing and storing large amounts of data, as well as backing up important files. RAR files can contain multiple files and folders, allowing users to easily group and store related data together.

The RAR file format comes with support for several different encryption algorithms, including AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) and Blowfish. This gives users the capacity to secure their data and protect it from unauthorized access. RAR files can be password-protected, adding an extra layer of security to prevent unauthorized users from accessing the data inside.

Software Compatible With The RAR File Type
WinRAR Compressed Archive

In this section you will find a list of the best programs compatible with the RAR file type. We've selected the best software for Windows, Mac, Android and Linux to open, edit, convert and view the contents of RAR files.