How to Open a RAR File on a PC
An RAR file is a compression format that was originally developed with the WinRAR decompression tool. RAR files are much like other compression formats such as ZIP files. The advantage of compressing files into an RAR file is that you can make large files smaller, which makes it easier to share files with others. Although the WinRAR is the native software tool to decompress RAR files, you can decompress RAR files using a variety of free extraction software that are compatible with your PC.
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Instructions
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WinRAR
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1
Download and install WinRAR on your computer. See Resources for a link to download this software.
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2
Add the file to the WinRAR application by clicking the "Add" button in the upper-left corner. Select the RAR file from your computer.
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3
Click the "Extract To" button at the top of WinRAR. Choose an output location on your computer where you want to extract the file.
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4
Click "OK" at the bottom of the dialog box; the RAR file is opened and extracted to your PC.
RarZilla
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5
Download and install Free RarZilla on your computer. See Resources for a link to download this software.
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Drag the RAR file from its original location into the RarZilla application. The RAR file automatically opens and is decompressed.
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Find the decompressed files. They are stored in the same location as the original location of the RAR file.
Extract Now
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Download and install Extract Now on your computer. See Resources for a link to download this software.
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Drag the RAR file into the main viewing pane of Extract Now.
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Click the "Settings" button in the lower-left corner and then click the "Destination" tab. Choose a location on your computer to save the extracted files.
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Click the "Start" button in the lower-right corner of the program. The RAR file is opened and extracted onto your PC.
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