How to Open .Rar Files on an iMac Computer

The iMac is Apple's flagship consumer desktop computer. While browsing the Internet or sharing files with friends and colleagues, you may come across a .rar file. This is a common file compression format used to share documents, images and other media. Run a free file compression program on your iMac to open the .rar to see its contents. Example programs include StuffIt Expander, which comes pre-installed on some Macs, and UnRarX.

Instructions

StuffIt Expander

1. Launch StuffIt Expander from within your Mac's "Applications" folder. The program can be downloaded from its official site (see Resources) if your Mac didn't come with it pre-installed.

2. Click "Preferences" at the top of the program's screen. A new window will appear.

3. Select "File Mapping."

4. Scroll down and click "RAR." On the right side of the window, click "Assign to StuffIt Expander." Close the preferences window.

5. Double-click the .rar file. StuffIt expander will automatically open it.

UnRarX

1. Download UnRarX (see Resources). Double-click the downloaded .zip file to open it. The purple icon for UnRarX will appear. Double-click it.

2. Click the drop-down menu next to "Extract To" at the top of the program. Choose a location where you want the contents of the .rar file to be transferred when you open it.

3. Click "Browse" in the top right side of the program's screen. A new window will appear, listing your iMac's hard drive contents. Navigate to the .rar file that you want to open. Click it and press "Open."

4. Press "Extract" in the top right corner of the screen. UnRarX will unpack and display the contents of the .rar file.

Tips & Warnings

• You can download and use any file compression program to unpack .rar files (see Resources). Double-click the downloaded file. A new window will appear with the program's icon inside. Drag the icon to your Mac's "Applications" folder to install it. Open your Mac's "Applications" folder. Double-click the icon for the file compression program that you just installed. Its icon will now appear in your iMac's dock, located on the bottom of the screen. Drag the .rar file to the icon in the dock. The program will open the .rar file and display its contents on the screen.

References

• "Switching to the Mac: The Missing Manual, Leopard Edition"; David Pogue; 2008

Resources

• Download StuffIt Expander
• CNET: Download .RAR Expanders
• CNET: Download UnRarX