The term RAR refers to the Roshal Archive that compresses other files and is useful for storing and organising several folders and files. Opening RAR files may require extra steps to download and open. If your job involves sharing large files and high volumes of data then learning about RAR files can benefit you. In this article, we define RAR files and explain how to open RAR files on Windows and Android devices.
What is a RAR file?
Before you learn how to open RAR files, understanding what a RAR file is can be helpful. A RAR file is a data storage item that compresses several files and folders in a single file. Many professionals use RAR files to send large volumes of data more easily and quickly. Compressing big files and folders into a RAR file can help you save time. It may also help receivers as they can download all the large files at once. You can quickly download the RAR file and then extract the large files from it.
This data storage item can help in sending different files in different formats at once. Many professionals use it for file spanning, data compression and error recovery. RAR files are available in various formats such as .rar for compressed files and .rev for recovery files. In general, these files are more efficient and reliable than other compressing options. There are various methods available for unzipping and decompressing a RAR file and extracting the files and folders from it.
How to open RAR files on Windows
Opening a RAR file on Windows can be slightly different from opening it on other devices. Windows by default can be unable to recognise the RAR file format. You can download a third-party application to initiate the process of extracting the file. Here are effective steps to open a RAR file on Windows:
- Download and install an application
You may require a third-party application to open RAR files on the computer running on the Windows operating system. There are many software or applications that allow you to decompress a RAR file and extract the files and folders from it and save them on your computer. Consider selecting a high compression ratio application that works with different versions of the Windows operating system.
- Select the file you want to open
After installing the software on your computer, select a file you want to open. This step may require you to locate the RAR file you want to decompress and right-click on it. After right-clicking on it, a pop-up menu may appear on the screen. The pop-up menu contains all the actions you can take with the RAR file.
- Click ‘unzip to’
Click the ‘unzip’ option on the pop-up screen to start the decompressing process. This can allow the application to read and extract the selected RAR file. Some applications also allow you to double-click the RAR file and automatically open it.
- Choose the location to save the file
Once you select the file and click on the unzip button, you can choose the location where you want to save the files. Consider selecting a location that allows you to find and access the files easily. You can choose any location and save the file anywhere on your computer. In general, you can see different location options to save your file on the left of your computer screen. After selecting the location, click on the save button and it can automatically save the file.
- Click ‘unzip’ and open the folder
The final and last step for extracting a RAR file is to click on the unzip button and open the folder with all the files. After the RAR file gets extracted completely, a new folder may open with the same name as that file. Once the RAR file gets extracted and saved in the location, you can open the folder and access all the files inside it.
How to open RAR files on Android devices
Here are the steps you can follow to open a RAR file on an Android device:
- Download the application on your device
The first step to open RAR files on Android devices is to download and instal software to read and extract RAR files. Similar to Windows, Android devices may also require a third-party application to read and decompress RAR files. You can find a suitable application from the Android app store and download it for free.
- Open the application
The next step is to open the application and find your RAR file. You can access your file manager using the application and navigate to the folder that contains the RAR file. Different applications may have different user interfaces that might confuse users sometimes. Locating the RAR files through these applications can be easy for users.
- Click and open the RAR file
After finding the RAR file you want to extract, select it and let the application open it. Start the extraction process by clicking on the unzip or extract button. The application may ask if you wish to extract files to the same folder.
Click ‘yes’ if you want your files in the same folder as the RAR file or click extract to a different folder for changing locations. Once the extraction process is complete, the application automatically saves all the files and folders to a particular location. You can then access all the extracted data by simply opening the folder.
Extracting a password-protected RAR file
Some RAR files can be encrypted or protected with a password. For accessing the files and folders inside such RAR files, you can enter the correct password and unlock the file. The feature of encrypting an archive file with a password can ensure safety as only users with a password can open them. Password-protected RAR files can be a great method to share sensitive data and information. You can add protection in layers and prevent the data from being readily available. Some users may forget the password after creating a password-protected RAR file. In such a situation, you can find software that helps in recovering a password-protected RAR file.
How to open RAR files on a Mac
You may require a file converter to open and extract RAR files on a Mac. Here are the steps you can follow to open a file with the .rar extension on a Mac:
- Find the right extraction toolÂ
You can download an extraction tool depending on how you plan to use it. For example, if you want to download compressed files then using a basic tool may work well. You can find such applications on the app store and download them for free. If your work involves regularly compressing files and delivering them with the .rar extension then using a feature-rich application can be helpful. A feature-rich tool may charge a fee to use its services.
- Instal and inspect the applicationÂ
After finding the right extraction tool, download and instal it on your Mac device. Consider checking available disc space to avoid any error or delay while downloading the application. After installing the application, you can archive and unarchive selected files. You can start the application to browse and download RAR files.
- Select the file you want to open
In general, extraction tools have various options to select the files you want to compress or decompress. You can drag and drop a file directly into the application. The extraction software also allows you to locate and select the file and select a destination for it. You can also right-click on the file and open it on your Mac. After right-clicking, select ‘open with’ from the option menu and click on the extraction software you want to use. Make sure you click the .rar option.
