How to Change a File Format From RAR to ISO

The .iso file is a snapshot of everything on a disk.

The .iso file format is essentially a picture of a disk. It takes all of the files and folders that are on a CD or DVD and places them under one "roof." With the right software, an .iso file can be run just like a CD or DVD without a physical disk in the drive. This virtual disk makes creating backups of your physical media easy and extremely convenient. Since an .iso file is essentially an uncompressed .rar file, changing from .iso to .rar only requires you to change the file extension.

Things You'll Need

• Administrative access
• .iso file

Instructions

1. Locate the .iso file on your computer.

2. Open the "Folder Options" dialog. In Windows XP, it will be in the "Tools" menu of any folder in Windows Explorer. In Vista and 7, you can type "folder options" (without quotes) into the "Search" bar at the bottom of the "Start" menu.

3. Click the "View" tab. Deselect the "Hide Known File Extensions" box if it is checked.

4. Click the the filename of your .iso file. Wait until the name highlights and allows you to change it. Delete the ".iso" file extension, replace it with ".rar" and press "Enter."

Tips & Warnings

• You'll need a program compatible with .rar files to open and extract them. Check the Resources section for some free options.

References

• AskLeo: What Are ISO Files, and How Do I Open Them?

Resources

• 7-Zip
• WinRAR