How to open files with file extension .RAR

To access files stored inside a RAR file, you will need a tool like BitZipper. RAR files are compressed, and BitZipper decompresses them for you.

Why RAR files?

A RAR file is a collection of documents, programs, games, movies or other files that have been reduced in size and bundled together in a compressed file (called an 'archive'). This is done to ease distribution on the Internet and to reduce download time. You will need to unpack the contents of the RAR archive in order to use it.

The RAR file format is similar to the more well known ZIP file format, with the main difference being that RAR compresses files slightly better. RAR is named after the inventor of the format, Eugene Roshal (Roshal Archive).

RAR files can be either single files or multi-part files. If split into multiple parts, the files are either named file.rar, file.r01, file.r02 or file.part1.rar, file.part2.rar, file.part3.rar. To unpack a multi-part RAR archive you will need to have all the parts in the same folder. Open part 1 with BitZipper and click Extract, and it will automatically find and use the other parts.

How do I open RAR files?

You will need a compression tool like BitZipper to open your RAR files. It will extract files from both single-part and multi-part RAR archives.

A visual step-by-step guide on how to extract files from RAR archives is available here: How to open a RAR file.

A BitZipper license with free updates is available for only US $24.95. There are no upgrade fees to pay. You can always download the newest version as your license is valid for life.