The most common problem that prevents users from opening this file is an incorrectly assigned program. To fix this in Windows OS you need to right-click on the file, in context menu Hover your mouse over the "Open with" item and select "Select a program..." from the drop-down menu. As a result you will see a list installed programs on your computer, and you can choose the appropriate one. We also recommend checking the box next to “Use this application for all RAR files.”

Another problem that our users also encounter quite often is that the RAR file is corrupted. This situation can arise in many cases. For example: the file was downloaded incompletely as a result server errors, the file was damaged initially, etc. To fix this problem, use one of the recommendations:

• Try to find required file in another source on the Internet. You may have luck finding a more suitable version. Example Google search: "File filetype:RAR" . Just replace the word "file" with the name you want;
• Ask them to send you the original file again, it may have been damaged during transmission;

Hello dear friends. Today we will focus on improving computer literacy. More precisely, I will show you how to open files with the rar extension and how to archive a file using the WinRAR program.

How to open archived files? is one of the most popular questions I receive from subscribers and buyers of my training courses. Naturally, the formulations are different, but the point is that many people have not yet learned how to use archivers and, accordingly, do not know how to work with data hidden in the archive.

I decided that it would be more logical to do a one-time detailed blog article than to talk individually about how to open a RAR file each time. If you perceive video better than text, then watch the video and everything will become clear to you; under the video I have duplicated the entire lesson in text format.

Program for opening RAR files

To open such archives, you can use several options for archivers; I reviewed them, but it is best to use WinRar. The program was created by the same person who came up with the compression algorithm itself, so it is best to use it. The program is free, so I recommend downloading it latest version from the official website. WinRar versions available in many languages, download the one you like - download Winrar.

When I was preparing the article, the developers' website opened a little crookedly - scroll down the page to see the download links.

How to configure the Winrar program?

After downloading the file, run it. During the installation process, you will only need to agree to the license agreement and that’s it. As soon as the program is ready, it will open a settings window in which you will need to check the necessary boxes. Basically, I leave everything as it is by default.

Associate WinRar with– this block shows which files will be opened automatically by this program. Where there is no checkmark, it will not open automatically. It is not necessary to check all the boxes, since we can always open an ISO or JAR file manually.

Interface – responsible for creating program shortcuts in different places. Here too, I leave everything by default, since opening the program is very rarely required, since it is built into the shell and works as a plugin (I wrote about plugins).

Integration with Windows shell– as I already wrote, WinRar is built into the operating system and here we choose exactly how this will be done. I do it exactly like in the picture.

Now let's figure out how the program works.

How to open a RAR file using WinRar?

There are two ways to open a RAR file in WinRar.

Option 1.

Right-click on the desired file. We see a list of possible actions with the file. There are 3 items in this list related to the archive.

“Extract file” opens a detailed menu in which you can specify any path to extract archive files.

“Extract file to current folder”, accordingly, unpacks all files into the same folder in which the archive is located. I don't recommend doing this if your RAR file is on your desktop or in some folder with a lot of other files. Extracted files may get lost among others

“Extract file archive name\”– in my example, post manager. In my opinion, this is the most convenient option. All files from the archive neatly end up in one common folder.

That's it - all the data you need has been extracted and you can use it. This is what I do 90% of the time.

Option 2

Double-click the left mouse button on the RAR file (just like you run any other file). A program window resembling Explorer opens. In this window you can navigate through folders and files that are hidden in the archive and even run them. This is necessary in cases where there are many files in the archive, but you need just one.

Remember, at the beginning of the article I said that the program is free. So, in fact, WinRar is a shareware program. This means that you can buy a license, but you can do without it. The functions of the licensed copy are no different from the free test copy. The only difference is a window offering to buy a license (it will begin to appear after 40 days of use). This window does not impose any restrictions on the work, just close it and that’s it - continue using the program.

Well, you’ve learned how to open archive files, but that’s not all. can create such archives and I will teach you how to do it easily and quickly.

How to use WinRar to create an archive?

You can pack the file into an archive using the same program – WinRar. This is done as simply as extracting from the archive. You can pack individual files, entire folders, and even a group of folders and files at the same time.

To do this, select the required files with the left mouse button and right-click on the selected objects.

In the menu that opens there are 4 items related to the work of the archiver. Usually only the first 2 are used. I'll start with the second one, since it's simpler and I use it more often.

Add “archive name” to the archive

Instead of the phrase “Archive name”, the name of the file you selected or the folder in which the selected files are located is automatically substituted.

Simply select this item and the program will begin packaging data - no additional settings you won't have to do it. At the output you will receive a file with the extension .rar and the name that was shown earlier. The file will be located in the same folder in which all the source materials are located.

Add to archive...

This option must be used if you want to give the archive you are creating some special functions. Now I will tell you more about them. After selecting the add to archive option, the following window will open:

At the very top, you can set the archive name you need; it may differ from the default one; also, by clicking on the “browse” button, you can change the location where the created archive will be saved.

Configuring archive parameters

ZIP is also an archive file format. Its advantage is that .zip files can be read by many programs and services without installation additional programs, in particular, Windows can work with it even without WInRar. But the compression ratio of this format is much worse.

RAR5 has just appeared, with the release of the fifth version of the archiver. I haven't used it yet, so I can't say anything. I don’t use it yet, because I’m not sure of its compatibility with older versions of archivers.

RAR is the default - use it.

After choosing a format, you need to choose a compression method. In the drop-down list, everything is clear - stronger compression will take longer to process files, a high-speed compression method will make the file size a little larger.

I leave the dictionary size at default.

Divide into volumes of size– this function allows you to divide the final archive file into several parts, they will be marked as part1, part2, etc. This is necessary in cases where:

• the final archive file is very large and, for example, does not fit on your flash drive
• you need to cut the files onto CD or DVDs, and the amount of data is more than can fit
• if you are using 32 bit operating system, then the files should not exceed 4 GB, it does not see more.

In a word - you need to cut the file - set the sizes of the pieces that you need.

You can set standard sizes from the drop-down list or enter the number in the box and select b, kb, MB, GB on the right. If you are not very versed in the units of measurement of information, then, there I described in detail how much is in 1 GB MB, etc.

On the right side of the window you can configure accessibility options.

Update method needed if you already have an archive created and you are creating an updated one with the same name. If you are creating a RAR file for the first time, then do not pay attention to this point; if you already have an archive with the same name, then select the desired method of replacing or updating files.

Archiving options– most of the points here are clear by name, so I will focus only on those that may raise questions.

What is SFX?– this function allows you to create self-extracting archives. If you put a checkbox next to it, then the output you will get is not a RAR file, but EXE file. The size will be larger, but to unpack such an archive you will not need an archiver program. If WinRar is not installed, the archive will still be unpacked.

Lock archive– this function allows you to protect the archive from changes. You can extract files from it without any problems, but you won’t be able to make changes inside the archive.

Settings button – “set password”. If you need to protect your data, you can set a password. In this case, you can retrieve data only after entering the password you set.

What files need to be archived?

At first glance, it may seem that you need to pack all files for transfer, but this is not the case. Many data formats are already maximally compressed by themselves, and it is almost impossible to reduce their size using archivers, or the compression will be minimal, and this process will take a lot of time.

There is no point in compressing the following files:

• archive files are logical, they are already compressed.
• music files mp3, wma, etc.
• image files jpg, jpeg, png, etc.
• most video files. The only exception I can name is mp4 - this format usually compresses well.
• disk image files iso, nrg and the like. As a rule, already compressed data is written to disks, therefore, the effect of additional compression will be minimal.

Good luck, Dmitry Zhilin

Rar is an archive format that supports the creation of multi-volume archives, divided into several compressed parts. They have the extension rxx (instead of xx numbers from 00 to 99). Uses the algorithm of the same name. Takes up little disk space thanks to an algorithm with high degree compression. Developed by a domestic developer, named after his last name. He also wrote a program to work with it (WinRAR). Despite the fact that the format is closed, in addition to WinRAR it is supported by most free archivers.

How to open a file with the rar extension

1. – free archiver, with which you can view, edit, create and unpack archives. Provides full support for 10 formats (creation and unpacking) and partial (viewing and unpacking) about 15. Externally, the application is simple and intuitive, appearance Easy to customize with themes.


2. Power Archiver - powerful free application, but in addition to the free edition there are also paid ones. The free version provides a standard set of functions - unpacking, viewing, editing and creating archives. A large number of formats are supported.


3. Zipx is a free application focused on working with zipx archives. In addition to zipx, many other formats are supported. The application interface is quite simple, it will not be difficult to understand it. Allows you to check archives for errors and generate their hash.


4. – Free program for working with archives. Focused on working with zip archives. It has a simple and intuitive interface, which consists of a menu at the top and main control buttons below it. It works quickly even on weak computers, and has a high speed of compression and decompression of archives.

Most users, when downloading something on the Internet, might encounter specific rar files. This type of information storage is called an archive and is used for compression, that is, reducing volume without losing information. IN Windows distributions There are no pre-installed tools that can be used to unpack an archive downloaded from the network. This article discusses how you can open a zipped file or folder with the rar extension.

General information

Archiving, or data compression, is used to reduce the space that information takes up. However, the rar archive can also be used for other purposes: for example, it can be used to protect valuable information with a password, limiting access to it to unwanted persons.

Users also have the ability to divide the archive into several parts, called volumes, thus recording large files on many small storage media, such as DVDs or flash drives.

There are many archiving formats, but rar is the most popular of them. This archive was developed by Evgeny Roshal, a Russian programmer. The name of the format is an abbreviation for the phrase “Roshal ARchiver”.

The same developer created a special software, with which data can be archived and retrieved from it. Users can set different compression levels, which will determine the output file size, as well as the time spent on packing and unpacking.

WinRAR

VinRAR is a version of the RAR utility created by Roshal, developed for Windows, as the name suggests. The application is actively developed by a whole team of developers, as a result of which it constantly increases its efficiency and speed, and also acquires many additional useful functions, such as protecting a file with a password or working with other extensions.

The program is distributed under a paid shareware license, but users can use the application absolutely free for 40 days after downloading.

Download and install the application

Before you open a rar file using this program, you need to download it:

Hello Friends! How to open a rar file? The question occurs to all users when mastering a computer in more detail. On the Internet, almost all information that can be downloaded is presented in the form of archived files with the extensions rar, zip and others. This is convenient because you can collect several files into one and compress them for transfer or uploading to the server. Users will have to open this archive (rar file) or, in other words, unzip it.

How to open a rar file?

The file is opened simply using the WinRAR program. Download this program you can from the official website at

selecting your language from the list. You don't have to change any settings when installing the program. For convenience I put Nested context menus and in the Associate WinRAR with field: click Select all because I want it to ISO files also opened by default. You can get additional information about ISO files (images) in the article As a result, you will have one line in the context menu with a drop-down list of operations
After installing this program, you can already open files with the rar extension. For those who want to learn about how to archive (create rar files) and use additional features read on about this wonderful program. You can also watch the video at the end of the article, in which I show all these goodies.

How to create a rar archive (file)?

To create an archive, you need to call the context menu on a file or folder (you can select several objects using the Shift or Ctrl key. Select the item in the menu WinRAR > Add to archive…
Click OK, wait depending on the amount of data being archived and the power of your computer, and you receive the archive. The rar file is ready. Let's take a closer look at some interesting features.

Compression method. A parameter responsible for how well or strongly your data will be compressed. When choosing the maximum method, the archive creation time will increase, but the archive will take up minimal space on .
You need to choose a method for your needs.

Volume separator size. This field allows you to split the archive (rar file) into parts of a certain size
It is possible to choose from those already installed. The program also remembers your entered delimiters, in my case it is 200 MB. In the adjacent drop-down list you can select the size for convenience. If you need to open a rar file consisting of several parts, you must have all the parts in one place (folder). Otherwise, WinRAR will generate an error and you will not be able to open the rar file.

Archiving parameters (creating a rar file)

• Delete files after packaging - an archive is created and the original files are deleted
• Create SFX archive - creates an archive with the extension exe which can be unpacked (opened) without any archivers by simply running it. An excellent option if you are not sure whether a person will be able to open the archive you created
• Create a continuous archive. Allows you to compress your files more. The compression will be greater the more files you archive and the smaller the average file size. When using this option, there may be problems with adding, deleting and changing files in the archive
• Add electronic signature— the author’s name and time are added to the rar file latest update archive and its original name. This function is only available for the registered version of WinRAR
• Add recovery information - in case of damage to the archive (rar file), the likelihood of successful information extraction increases. The archive size will be slightly increased
• Test the files after packaging - as I understand it, if problems arise when reading the resulting rar file after packaging, WinRAR will display a warning
• Lock archive - an option that allows you to prevent changes to the created rar file. When changing a document in the archive, the program will issue a warning

pressing Yes will display a diagnostic message

about the impossibility of changing a locked archive. I also couldn’t delete files from a blocked archive.

Go to the tab Additionally. Clicking the button Set password... In the window that opens, you can enter a password to open the rar file.
In this case, files can be deleted without any passwords. If you have deleted the file you need, you can read in the article about how to try to restore them. These are the interesting functions that the WinRAR archiver provides us with.

Also, files with the rar extension can be opened with the popular 7-zip archiver or built-in Total Commander archivist. In the case of 7-zip, you also need to download the program and install it.

After installation, an item will appear in the context menu with drop-down options just like WinRAR
I hope in the question how to open rar file You have no dark spots left.

Video in which I show all of the above
If you use or know additional interesting functions of WinRAR, 7-zip or use another program, please write in the comments.