How to Open a RAR File on Windows 11, 10, and Mac
A .rar file is a compressed archive, similar to a .zip file, that bundles many files into one smaller download.
On Windows 11 you usually need no extra app. Double-click the .rar to browse it, then drag the files out. On Windows 10, install the free 7-Zip. On a Mac, use the free Keka or The Unarchiver.
The right tool depends on your operating system, and on Windows, it also depends on your Windows version.
Many online guides are outdated here. They still tell you to install extra software on Windows 11, even though File Explorer can now handle it alone.
On Windows 11 (usually no extra app)
Windows 11 can extract .rar, .7z, and .tar files right inside File Explorer.
No download needed for a basic extract.
This works because Windows 11 added support for these formats using an open source engine called libarchive. The feature arrived in Windows 11 version 24H2, which has been rolling out in stages since 2023.
- Double-click the .rar file. File Explorer opens it and shows the contents, just like a normal folder.
- Select the files you want.
- Drag them into a regular folder on your PC.
Many builds also show an Extract all option in the toolbar or right-click menu.
Either method works fine.
If double-clicking does not show the contents this way, your Windows 11 has not received this feature yet. Use 7-Zip instead, the same way as Windows 10 below.
There are two real limits to this native support. Windows 11 can extract a .rar but cannot create one, and it cannot open a password protected one.
For a password protected archive, 7-Zip or WinRAR will open it once you enter the password. To actually create a .rar, you need WinRAR, since 7-Zip makes .zip or .7z files instead.
Check the source before you extract. A RAR file can contain anything, including malware. Only extract archives you were expecting, from a source you trust.
On Windows 10 (install 7-Zip)
Windows 10 has no built in RAR support at all.
You need a separate program. 7-Zip is free, open source, and the simplest option.
Download it from 7-zip.org.
- Install 7-Zip from 7-zip.org.
- Right-click the .rar file.
- Choose 7-Zip, then pick “Extract Here” or “Extract to folder”.
Not sure the file you downloaded is actually a .rar? Here’s how to show file extensions in Windows so you can confirm before you install anything.
On a Mac
macOS has no built in way to open a .rar file.
Its own tools only handle .zip archives.
Install one of two free apps instead: Keka or The Unarchiver.
- Install Keka from keka.io, or The Unarchiver from the Mac App Store.
- Double-click the .rar file, or drag it onto the app icon.
- The extracted files appear in the same folder.
Both apps are free and widely used. Neither one asks you to pay or create an account.
When the archive is split into multiple parts
Large downloads are sometimes split into a set of RAR parts instead of one file.
Modern sets are named archive.part1.rar, archive.part2.rar, and so on. Older sets instead use archive.r00, archive.r01, and similar names.
- Keep every part in the same folder.
- Do not rename any of them.
- Open only the first part (the .part1.rar file, or the plain .rar in an older set).
Your extraction tool joins every part automatically once it can see all of them.
A missing part will make the extraction fail.
When the archive needs a password
Some RAR files are locked with a password.
There is no way to open one without it.
7-Zip and WinRAR will prompt you for the password when you try to extract. Type it in and extraction continues normally.
Windows 11’s native extraction cannot open a password protected .rar at all. Use 7-Zip or WinRAR instead.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to common .rar questions.
Is WinRAR free?
No. WinRAR is paid software that nags you with a reminder screen once its trial period ends. The free 7-Zip works just as well for simply extracting a file.
Can Windows 11 open a .rar file without installing anything?
Yes, on Windows 11 version 24H2 and later. File Explorer extracts RAR files natively, though it cannot create one or open a password protected one.
How do I open a password protected .rar file?
You need the correct password. Open the file with 7-Zip or WinRAR and enter the password when it prompts you.
Why can’t I create a .rar file on Windows 11?
Windows 11’s native tools only extract existing RAR files. To create one, you need WinRAR, the paid app from the format’s original maker. Free tools like 7-Zip make .zip or .7z archives instead.
How do I open a .rar file on a Mac?
Install the free Keka or The Unarchiver, then double-click the .rar file or drag it onto the app.
