How to open rar file

How to open RAR files in Windows 11/10

Can Windows 11/10 open RAR files? Yes, Windows 11/10 can open RAR files. Just like any other compressed file, RAR files are proprietary archive file that supports data compression, error recovery and file spanning. While you can open RAR files in Windows 11/10, it’s not supported by default. We will have to use third-party free compression software to uncompress a RAR file to extract all the files and folders inside it. By default, Windows doesn’t recognize RAR file format.

If you are wondering why was there a need for another compression technology? It’s about functionality. The primary software, RAR Lab that can manage RAR files offer tons of functionality including better compression, the option to split compressed files, and later rejoin them, higher security feature, and so on.

You can download the software from RAR Lab, and unarchive, but it keeps prompting you to buy the software. A better alternative is 7-Zip. It supports WIM files, RAR5 archives, UEFI BIOS files, ext2/ ext3/ ext4 images, GPT, VMDK, VDI images, and single file QCOW2.

How to open RAR files in Windows 11/10

Your RAR file is extracted now.

List of other free software that can open RAR files:

So it is possible to open RAR files on Windows 10 for free, and without paying anything. However, it is possible that you might miss the extended functionality of the original software. So unless you need to manage, create, and split RAR files professionally, the free options are more than enough to get the job done.

Which app is best for RAR files Windows 11/10?

To Open RAR Files on Windows, WinZip, WinRAR, PeaZip, 7-Zip are some of the best tools.

Why can’t windows open RAR files?

You may not be able to open RAR files due to the following reasons:
1] The RAR file in question is corrupt or invalid.

2] Your PC does not have any software that can open or support RAR files.

Need to open, create, or convert a RAR file?

Have you encountered a RAR file that you need to open? Or has someone requested you send them a RAR file? If you haven’t used one before you’ll likely be wondering what it is, but rest assured it’s not complex. Let’s dive in and find out what a RAR file is, and how WinZip can help you open them, create them, and convert them to other formats.

Rated 5 stars by CNET

What is a RAR file extension?

A RAR file extension is something you might come across sooner or later as you transfer files for business use. If you’re familiar with ZIP files, you’ll get to grips with RAR files in no time as the concept is fairly similar.

The RAR file format is short for Roshal Archive Compressed file, and is a compressed archive from WinRAR. The archive generally contains multiple files, although it can be just a single file, and you’ll need to extract the files from the archive in order to use them.

RAR files can be split up into multi-volume archives and the compression lets multiple files condense down into a single small archive that’s easy to transfer.

If you find yourself with a RAR file extension unable to open it, that’s where WinZip comes in. The software lets you open RAR files in moments, accessing all the volumes within the archive.

What are RAR files used for?

You might be wondering why RAR files are used instead of ZIP files which are immediately accessible natively through the computer. The difference is that RAR supports error recovery and multi-volume archives making it much easier to transfer and download complex networks of files and folders.

So when would you use a RAR file? To start with, compiling a long list of files like images or audio files into a single downloadable RAR file will speed up the transfer and download times when sending it to a friend or colleague.

Another instance might be if you need to send a contract or a document that isn’t for public eyes to a colleague. Like Zip files, RAR files can be encrypted with a password to ensure that only the person who needs to see it can access it, even if someone else accesses that computer.

How to open a RAR file

Opening RAR files in WinZip can be done in moments with the click of just a few buttons. Follow this step by step guide.

Method 1

Method 2

Creating RAR Files

If someone requests something to be sent in RAR format, or if you want to take advantage of the benefits of using a RAR format, you can use WinZip. While you can’t create RAR files using WinZip, you can create Zip files, which are similar to RAR files and have many of the same benefits. The process is easy, much the same as opening RAR files. Here are a few simple steps, that of course begin with opening WinZip.

WinZip will then create the Zip file as per your instructions, and you can share it or store it as you like. The size of the archive should be much less than the sum of the individual files thanks to its high quality compression, giving you the option to upload and download it quickly.

Converting RAR Files

You don’t have to restrict yourself to RAR files when compressing multiple files into easy-to-use archives. In fact, one of the biggest strengths of WinZip is the ability to convert RAR files to other archive formats.

The formats you’ll most likely have heard of are ZIP or 7z files, which are accessible without specialist software. Converting a RAR file to ZIP lets you create archive files for users who don’t have access to WinZip. A ZIP file won’t give you access to the same encryption tools, but if the person you’re sending the file to won’t be able to open it otherwise then this may be necessary.

WinZip is a powerful RAR file converter, and converting a RAR file to ZIP is easy.

Encrypting & Password Protecting RAR Files

One of the biggest attractions of RAR files which makes them stand out from some other archive formats is the ability to encrypt them and protect them with passwords. This gives them considerably more protection from unintended users than other archive files, letting you share sensitive data more comfortably.

There are of course utilities that let determined users crack RAR files so they’re not completely impenetrable, but the encryption and password protection is enough to stop anyone looking around or accidentally seeing files that aren’t for them when on a shared computer.

To password protect a RAR file using WinZip, first convert the RAR file to a Zip file by following the steps above. After the RAR file has been converted, right-click on the file and select Encrypt from the menu. This will open up WinZip and present encryption and password protection options. Just remember to not leave the password in a publicly accessible location.

How to open RAR files

Knowing how to open RAR files can be a useful skill if you’re regularly downloading different drives, files, and applications from third-party websites. Unlike zip files, RAR files aren’t natively supported by Windows, so you’ll need an application specifically designed to handle them.

Our favorite programs for opening RAR files are 7-Zip on Windows and The Unarchiver on MacOS. Here’s how to use them to open RAR files.

7-Zip (Windows)

Step 1: Download 7-Zip from the official website. If you’re running the latest version of Windows 10, chances are you want the 64-bit version, but it’s a good idea to confirm which version of Windows you’re running first.

When in the installer, select your desired destination folder for the utility and click the Install button in the bottom-right corner of the window. Click the Finish button when done, and launch the program.

Step 2: Locate the RAR file that you want to open in Windows File Explorer, then right-click it, and select Open With > 7-Zip.

Step 3: With the RAR file now open, you have a number of options for what you can do with it. You can access individual files within the RAR archive by double-clicking them, or navigate through folders in the same way to dig deeper into the RAR file.

If you want to be able to access the files within the RAR archive more easily in the future, you can also click the Extract button and select a save location. The RAR file will then be extracted, leaving all of its components files and folders accessible through the Windows File Explorer.

The Unarchiver (MacOS)

Zipping up files on MacOS is an essential feature of the operating system, but you need to be able to unpack them, too. Apple has a native tool for uncompressing files by just clicking on them, but it’s a streamlined option that doesn’t allow any control over the process. For those seeking a complete tool, we suggest another option.

An oldie but a goodie, Unarchiver easily trumps the built-in archive unpacker that comes with MacOS — aka the aptly titled Archive Utility. The program touts support for a more significant number of file formats, including RAR files, and offers additional functionality more akin to 7-Zip than other available offerings on the web. Though Unarchiver cannot create RAR files, it still allows you to open RARs with just a few steps.

Step 1: Download Unarchiver from the official site, or head over to the App Store to download the application. Afterward, extract the file and launch the program.

Step 2: Once opened, ensure the box beside RAR Archive is checked — along with any other archive types you wish to open with the Unarchiver — and click the Extraction tab located at the top of the application window. Afterward, select your save location for the resulting file from the drop-down menu near the top of the window, control-click the RAR file you wish to open, and choose the Unarchiver from the drop-down menu beside the Open With option.

Step 3: The utility will then automatically create and save a file with the same name as the RAR file in the previously specified location. Then, simply double-click the RAR file to launch it in the appropriate program.

What Is a RAR File?

Definition of a RAR file & how to open & convert RAR files

What to Know

This article explains what a RAR file is and why they’re used, how to open one, and the easiest ways to convert one to a different archive format.

What Is a RAR File?

A RAR file (short for a Roshal Archive Compressed file) is a compressed file, or data container, that holds one or more other files and folders inside of it.

Think of a RAR file like a regular folder on your computer, where there are sometimes many other files and folders inside of it for the purpose of organizing them.

However, unlike a normal folder, a RAR file needs special software (more on this below) to open and «extract» out the contents.

Most file extensions are pronounced as their individual letters, but RAR is usually treated as a word itself and pronounced as «rahr.»

What Are RAR Files Used For?

You’ll probably only run into a RAR file when you’re downloading computer software. File sharing websites and software distributors sometimes put their files in a RAR file so that they can compress it down to a smaller size, allowing you to download it faster than you otherwise could. Some RAR files are split into parts for easier transmission.

Apart from just saving on download time, RAR files can also be protected with a password and encrypted so that their contents stay hidden unless you know the password. Think of this like a little locked box full of data, with the password being the key.

Most RAR files won’t have a password protecting them; they’re used to store images, documents, videos, or whatever type of file the author wanted.

Another time a RAR file might be useful is when a friend has a long list of files they want to share with you, like photos, for example. Instead of having you download every single image file individually, your friend can first compile the photos into a RAR file and then share just that one file with you.

Once you open a RAR file, you can extract the data from the inside and then use the files like you would any other file on you computer.

How to Open a RAR File

Windows computers don’t have a baked-in ability to open RAR files. If you double-click or double-tap a RAR file without having specific software installed to open it, you’ll probably see one of the following messages: «Windows cannot open this file» or «How do you want to open this type of file (.rar)?».

RAR is actually the regular format of an archive program called WinRAR. The only problem with using WinRAR is that it’s not free! Before you run off and buy it, please know that there are plenty of free RAR openers that can do the exact same thing but at zero cost.

Of all the un-RAR tools out there, 7-Zip is probably the best one.

After installing 7-Zip, set it up to automatically associate itself with RAR files so that, going forward, you’ll be able to just open a RAR file from anywhere on your computer and it’ll open automatically in 7-Zip.

To do that, open 7-Zip File Manager from the Start menu and then go to Tools > Options. Select rar in the list of file types and then choose the + button for either the current user or all users (or both). A little disk icon will appear next to rar in the list. Save the changes with the OK button.

If after doing this, 7-Zip still doesn’t open RAR files when you double-click them, see How Do I Change the Default Program for a Specific File Extension? for help. If you go this route, you’ll need to know the install location of 7-Zip File Manager, which on most computers will be «C:\Program Files (x86)\7-Zip\7zFM.exe».

You can also open RAR files with 7-Zip by right-clicking on them and choosing 7-Zip > Open archive from the pop-up context menu. If you’re dealing with multipart RAR files (named something like 123.part1.rar, 123.part2.rar, etc.), first select all the different parts of the RAR file and then right-click one of them; from that menu, choose 7-Zip > Extract files.

7-Zip isn’t the only free program that can open RAR files. PeaZip and jZip are two alternative RAR openers.

Mac users should be able to download and use Keka or The Unarchiver to unload RAR files.

Another method is to use Unzip-Online, which lets you open RAR files without having any software installed, thanks to the fact that it works through your web browser. See our review of Unzip-Online for all the details.

ezyZip is another online RAR opener that’s particularly helpful because it doesn’t require you to wait to upload the file to the website (or wait to download anything when it’s done). All the extracting is done locally in your browser, and images can be previewed directly from the page. It opens and saves to your computer or Dropbox account.

More download links to free RAR extractors can be found in this list of free file extractor programs.

WinZip Free is often suggested as a free RAR opener, but it’s really just trialware. There’s no reason to use trial software or buy a RAR extractor when there are plenty of completely free ones.

Cracking a Password-Protected RAR File

Some RAR files can be secured behind a password. With those RAR files, you’ll need to enter the correct password before you can unpack the files out of the archive.

One problem with password protecting a RAR file is that you may have made your own RAR archive and secured it with a password, but have since forgotten what that password is! This is where a RAR password cracker comes in handy.

One particularly effective, and completely free, program that can break the password on a RAR file is RAR Password Cracker Expert. It can use a brute force and/or a dictionary attack (with included wordlists) to attempt every possible angle at recovering the password. Lots of different options let you customize how the different attacks should work.

If the above program isn’t able to unlock your RAR file, you should give Free RAR Password Recovery a try. It uses brute force to make guessing attempts at the password. It supports trying numbers, symbols, capital letters, Latin, and spaces.

How to Convert a RAR File

To convert a RAR file means to change it from a file with the RAR extension to a file with a different extension, usually 7Z, ZIP, LGH, TGZ, TAR, CAB, or some other archive format.

Before we get too far into RAR converting, we should clarify something important: you can’t convert from a RAR file to a non-zipped format. Spend much time searching around for RAR files and you’ll see search suggestions like «RAR to MP3 converter» or «RAR to PDF converter». none of which actually exist!

Like you now know, a RAR file is similar to a folder that contains other files. If your RAR file contains MP3 files, for example, you must open the RAR file, not convert it, to get the MP3s. Read the section above on opening RAR files to learn how to actually unpack the MP3s (or PDFs, or whatever is in the RAR file that you want access to).

Now, if converting a RAR file to a ZIP or 7Z file (other archive formats) is actually what you want to do, keep reading. There are a few ways to do this.

The quickest and most effective method to converting a RAR to ZIP, or any other common archive format, is a free file converter that supports RAR conversions, like Zamzar or FileZigZag. These two RAR converters are online services, which means you just upload the RAR file to the website and then download the converted file.

A free online RAR converter is perfect if the RAR file you’re working with is small, but you probably don’t want to use an online converter on a large RAR file. You’d first have to wait for the RAR file to upload and then wait for the converted file to download, something that might take quite a while for a really large file.

If you’re converting a large RAR file, try IZArc. It’s super easy to convert a RAR to 7Z, or one of several other archive file formats, from IZArc’s Tools menu.

How to Make a RAR File

Finding a free tool that can build a RAR file isn’t as easy as finding one that can open RAR files. This is because software developers must have explicit permission from Alexander Roshal (the copyright owner) in order to re-create the RAR compression algorithm.

The best suggestion we have for creating a RAR file is to use the trial version of WinRAR. Though it’s a timed trial, technically valid for less than 30 days, it’s the easiest way to build a new RAR file.

We would generally recommend that you choose not to compress files in the RAR format, mostly because there are so many other, more widely available, compression formats, like ZIP and 7Z.

More Information on RAR Files

Though you probably won’t ever find one this large, the maximum file size of any RAR file is just under 8 exbibytes. That’s over 9 million terabytes!

Chrome OS is one operating system that naturally supports RAR file extractions, much like how Windows naturally supports unpacking ZIP archives. This means Chrome OS can get files out of a RAR file without using any third-party software.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) for WinRAR

Where can I find WinRAR’s End User License Agreement (EULA)?

WinRAR is free to use for 40 days. If you wish to continue using WinRAR beyond this 40-day trial period, you must purchase a license.

Please refer to our EULA for more details:

For RAR and WinRAR END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT (EULA) click here

What is a RAR File?

RAR files are compressed file(s) or data containers that can be created using WinRAR. They can hold one or more files or folders and can compress, open and encrypt RAR and ZIP files.

RAR is the native format of the WinRAR Archiver.

WinRAR is the Windows version of RAR and includes the shell mode version or Graphical User Interface (GUI), as well as the command line option.

After you receive or download a RAR file from the Internet or via email, you need to extract its contents in order to use them. This can be done in 2 simple steps:

You will find the extracted file(s) in the destination folder where you saved them.

How do I Open a RAR File with WinRAR?

In order to extract or open a RAR file using WinRAR in the shell mode (GUI), you must first open the required archive in WinRAR. This can be achieved in one of several ways:

Having selected one or more files, click the Extract To button at the top of the WinRAR window or press Alt+E. Enter the destination folder (where you want the folder to be saved to) in the dialog box and click OK. This dialog box also offers a few advanced options.

During the extraction process, a window will be displayed showing the operation statistics. If you wish to break the extraction process, click on the Cancel button in the command window. You may press the «Background» button in this window to minimize WinRAR to the tray. If the extraction is completed without error, WinRAR will return to the shell mode (GUI). In case of an error, a Diagnostic message window will be displayed.

What is the Maximum File and Archive Size Limit for RAR?

The internal format of RAR and ZIP archives that have been created with WinRAR, allows you to store practically any number of files of practically any size. The actual limit depends on the file system’s available memory. Some older file systems do not support files larger than 4 GB.

To create archives larger than 4GB, you will need to use NTFS.

WinRAR is able to handle files of practically unlimited size (up to 8,589,934,591 GB).

In general, the RAR archive format is optimal for heavy tasks involving huge number of files and gigabytes of disk space.

How do I Register and Install WinRAR?

Before you can register WinRAR, you need to purchase a license. The most convenient way to purchase your license is to order it online.

You can purchase your WinRAR license in our online shop and make your payment via any major credit card, PayPal or direct debit. Other local payment options may be available depending on your location.

Upon receipt of the license registration fee, you will receive an email containing an attachment with the registration key file that corresponds to the user name string (first and last name or company name) which you have chosen when ordering your license. This file is usually named rarreg.rar.

The registration email contains all necessary instructions, which are easy to follow.

Below is also a brief explanation of the registration procedure:

You will see a message:

«This WinRAR copy has been successful registered. Thank you!»

To check if the registration was completed, please open WinRAR and select the Help Tab at the top of the WinRAR window. Select About WinRAR and your registration details should be found in the bottom left-hand corner of the window.

Please make a backup of the file rarkey.rar.

The WinRAR registration is finished.

RAR vs ZIP

WinRAR is able to create archives in two different formats: RAR and ZIP.

Here is a comparison of these formats:

Typically, the RAR format provides better compression than ZIP, especially in the solid mode. WinRAR multi-volume archives in the RAR format allow more functions such as self-extracting archives.

RAR format has also a few important features that are missing in ZIP, such as the recovery record, which allows you to reconstruct damaged data and lock important archives to prevent accidental modification.

Both RAR and ZIP formats are able to handle files of practically unlimited size (up to 8,589,934,591 GB).

Another popular archive format is ZIP. If you are going to send an archive to somebody but you are not sure that the recipient has WinRAR to extract the archive contents, it might be a good idea to use the ZIP format. Although, you may also send a self-extracting archive, which the recipient can open even without having WinRAR installed on their machine. Such SFX archives are slightly larger, but can be extracted without external programs.

How do I Create a RAR Archive with WinRAR?

Firstly, you need to open WinRAR by double-clicking or pressing Enter on the WinRAR icon. You can also start it from the Windows «Start menu»: under «Programs» then «WinRAR» and then run the «WinRAR» program.

When WinRAR is open it displays a list of files and folders in the current folder. You need to go to the folder which contains the files you wish to archive. You may use Ctrl+D, the disks list below the toolbar, or click on the small disk icon in the bottom left corner, to change the current disk. Press BS, Ctrl+PgUp, small «Up» button below the toolbar or double-click on the folder named «..» to go to the parent folder. Press Enter, Ctrl+PgDn or double-click on any other folder to enter that folder. Ctrl+ will set the root disk folder as the current folder.

Having selected one or more files, click on the Add button at the top of the WinRAR window, press Alt+A or select the «Add files to archive» command in the Commands menu. Enter the destination archive name in the dialog box which appears or simply accept the default name. You may select, in this dialog, the format of the new archive (RAR or ZIP), compression level, volume size and other archiving parameters. Click on the OK button when you are ready to create the archive.

During the archiving process, a window will be displayed showing operation statistics. If you wish to break the archiving process, click on the Cancel button in the command window. You may press the «Background» button in this window to minimize WinRAR to the tray. When archiving is complete, the command window disappears and the newly created archive becomes the currently selected file.

It is also possible to add files to an existing RAR archive, using drag-and-drop. Select the desired archive in the WinRAR window and press Enter (or double click) on its name. RAR will read the archive and display its contents. You may now add files to the archive by simply dragging them from another program and dropping them into WinRAR.

Novice users can also use the Wizard to create an archive. Run WinRAR and choose the Wizard option in the WinRAR toolbar menu and choose the option «Create a new archive» and follow the step-by-step instructions.

How can I split files into Multivolume RAR Archives?

WinRAR can create an archive consisting of several files.

These archives are called multivolume archives and the individual files inside these archives are known as volumes. Generally, volumes are used to store large amounts of data on removable disks, or to transfer data by email.

If you want to compress and split your file(s), you can select the desired volume size in the «Split to volumes» field in the archive name and parameters dialog under the general tab.

By default, the size of the split volumes is entered in bytes, but if you add a lowercase letter ‘k’ at the end of the volume size, the entered value will be considered as kilobytes (multiplied by 1024).

It is also possible to select the volume size from the list associated with this item. Note that if you are archiving to a removable disk, you may select «Autodetect» from the list and WinRAR will choose the volume size automatically for each new volume.

For multiple CD’s you can enter for example «700m» for 700MB CD’s. WinRAR creates a multi-volume archive (volname.part001.rar, volname.part002.rar, etc.) All volumes are 700MB but the last volume may be smaller.

After this, you can burn the volumes on CD or DVD or save it on a USB stick.

Some burning programs have a special test mode with which you can determine the maximum capacity of CD blanks, so you can enter the maximum size for the volumes.

To unpack these volumes, you should start the extraction from the first volume. Select «Process all files in all volumes from the current» in the menu that appears.

If volumes are stored on non-removable media like a hard disk, you need to put all volumes into the same folder before starting the extraction.

To repack a single RAR or ZIP archive into multivolume archives, please use the convert function in the WinRAR tools menu.

It is impossible to add, update or delete files in already existing volumes. You can only create a new volume set.

Starting from version 3.40, WinRAR stores the volume number inside the RAR files. You can see this number at the top of the «Show information» dialog if you apply the Show information command to the volume. This number may be useful if the original volume names are lost and you need to restore the correct names manually.

I Have Forgotten the Password for my RAR Archive. How can I Recover it?

RAR encryption does not contain backdoors, so the only possible way to recover a lost password is to test all possible character combinations. (Brute Force) There are many password-cracking tools available online, but none of these are supported by WinRAR, and they are used at your own risk.

Remember that if you lose your password, you will be unable to retrieve the encrypted files; not even the WinRAR author is able to extract encrypted files that have been password protected.

The use of strong encryption in WinRAR can sometimes lead to a negative outcome.

What is the WinRAR Wizard Interface?

The WinRAR Wizard is designed for novice users and allows them to perform basic compression and decompression operations following simple step-by-step instructions:

Click on the Wizard icon in the WinRAR toolbar to display the Wizard dialog.

By default, this button is visible both inside and outside of archives, but you may disable or enable it like all other toolbar buttons with the «Select buttons…» option in the General Settings dialog. Another option in the «General settings» dialog, called «Activate Wizard on start», allows you to run the Wizard every time WinRAR starts.

The Wizard dialog contains three of the most common actions that WinRAR can perform. How to unpack an archive, create an archive and add files to an existing archive.

More detailed instructions for using WinRAR can be found in the Help menu.

What is the Difference Between the Command Line and Shell Mode in WinRAR and RAR?

In addition to the WinRAR shell mode (GUI), you will also find the file rar.exe.

It is also a RAR version for Windows, but it only supports the command line text mode interface.

The RAR command line version is convenient when you need to call RAR from BAT and CMD files or to use it at the command prompt.

RAR is ONLY available in the command line mode for Mac OS.

The RAR command line supports a larger number of functions when compared to WinRAR, but does not support ZIP and other formats.

Although there are common aspects of the command line WinRAR syntax also available in the WinRAR shell mode (GUI), the descriptions of the switches and commands which are supported only by the command line version, are not included here.

You should read the rar.txt file for a detailed description of all RAR command line features.

I get the Error Message «CRC Failed in File Name. The File is Corrupt!»

The File data are corrupt. The archive may have been damaged after creation. In this case it is sometimes possible to repair it if the recovery record has been applied.

It also could have been damaged during creation due to hardware failures (usually caused by an over-clocked CPU or unreliable memory).

In the latter case the recovery record will not help. The only way to detect if the repair will help is to try to apply the repair command to the archive and test the results.

Check if you have installed the most recent version of WinRAR. If not, please download the actual WinRAR/RAR version here. We always try to improve WinRAR’s functionality with each update.

I get the Error Message «Packed Data CRC Failed in Volume Name. The Volume is Corrupt!»

This message may be displayed together with the message «CRC failed in file name. The file is corrupt!», and may help you to detect exactly which volume is corrupt. This is especially useful if a big file has been split into several volumes, and only one volume has been damaged after archive creation.

Depending on the corrupt archive details, RAR may display or skip this message.

The message «CRC failed in file name. The file is corrupt!» is always displayed if the file data have been damaged.

Check to see if you have installed the recent version. If not, please download the actual WinRAR/RAR version here. We always try to improve all user functions with each update and patch any security vulnerabilities which may have arisen.

Are WinRAR Licenses Perpetual or is There a Subscription?

WinRAR licenses are perpetual and valid for a lifetime.

You cannot register your license without purchasing it first, and WinRAR is not a free product. We offer all users a 40-day free trial, after which time the use of WinRAR without a valid license is in violation of our EULA.

Perpetual licenses mean that you can install and use your license for as long as you wish, but to stay up-to-date you must purchase a Support & Maintenance Package entitling you to all upgrades and updates within the 12-month period.

My Computer Crashed and I Lost my WinRAR License Key, what can I do?

If you lose your WinRAR license key, we can resend it to you via email.

Please go to our Lost Key Page for more information about re-sending WinRAR Keys:

Kindly note that keys more than 3 years old will incur a small fee for re-activation.

Can WinRAR be Installed on a Server?

Yes, WinRAR can be installed in a server or network environment. A separate license must be purchased for each separate client or workstation on which WinRAR will be installed, used or accessed. A separately licensed copy is required regardless of whether the client or workstations will use WinRAR simultaneously or at different times.

For example, if you wish to have 10 different clients or workstations in your network with access to RAR, you must purchase a 10-user license.

All licensing information can be found in our EULA.

I didn’t Receive my License Key. What Should I do?

Once your payment has been approved, you should receive your WinRAR license key via email within 48 hours. Your email provider may have delivered the email containing your license key to your Spam or Junk folder, so always check there too. If it has been longer than 48 hours, please go to our Lost Key Page for more information about re-sending WinRAR Keys:

How do I Upgrade WinRAR?

When upgrading your WinRAR software to the latest version, there is no need to uninstall the program first. Just follow these steps: