You just downloaded a massive project file, a game mod, or maybe some old family photos. You look at the file extension and see ".rar" staring back at you. You double-click it. Nothing happens, or Windows 10 asks you what app you want to use to open it. It's frustrating. Honestly, it’s one of those minor tech hurdles that feels like it should have been solved by Microsoft decades ago.
The truth is that while Windows 10 handles ZIP files natively—meaning you just right-click and hit "Extract All"—it treats RAR files like a complete stranger. RAR is a proprietary format created by Eugene Roshal (the name stands for Roshal Archive). Because it isn't an open standard like ZIP, Microsoft didn't include a built-in "unpacker" for it in the original Windows 10 releases. You've basically got a locked box and no key.
Why Windows 10 can't natively extract RAR files
It’s all about licensing and history. For years, the RAR format was the king of compression. It could squeeze files down much smaller than the old ZIP standards could. But because the compression algorithm belongs to win.rar GmbH, Microsoft stayed away. Interestingly, if you're on a very specific, fully updated build of Windows 11, Microsoft finally added native support via the libarchive open-source project. But for the millions of people still comfortably using Windows 10, that update hasn't trickled down in the same way. You are still stuck needing third-party help.
You’ve probably heard of WinRAR. It’s the "infinite free trial" meme of the internet. While it works perfectly, it constantly nags you to pay for it. You don't actually need to deal with that. There are faster, cleaner, and completely free ways to handle how to extract RAR file in Windows 10 without ever seeing a "Please buy a license" pop-up.
The best way: Using 7-Zip (The gold standard)
If you ask any sysadmin or power user, they’ll tell you to just install 7-Zip. It’s open-source. It’s tiny. It’s free. It doesn't have ads. Honestly, it's the first thing I install on any new PC.
Here is how you actually do it once you have it. You don't even need to open the 7-Zip app itself.
After you install it from the official 7-Zip site, it integrates directly into your Windows 10 shell. You just right-click the RAR file. You'll see a new menu item called "7-Zip." Hover over that, and you'll get a few options. "Extract Here" dumps everything exactly where the RAR file is sitting. "Extract to [Folder Name]" is usually better because it creates a new folder so your desktop doesn't get cluttered with fifty individual files.
It's fast. Like, really fast. 7-Zip uses a multi-threaded approach, so if you have a modern processor with multiple cores, it shreds through large archives. If you're trying to extract a 10GB RAR file, the difference between a poorly optimized app and 7-Zip is minutes of your life.
When you don't want to install software
Maybe you're on a work computer. You don't have admin rights. You can't install 7-Zip or WinRAR even if you wanted to. Don't worry. You still have a couple of moves.
Cloud-based extractors are a thing. Websites like CloudConvert or Extract.me allow you to upload the RAR file to their servers. They do the heavy lifting and then give you a link to download the contents as a regular folder or a ZIP file.
- Privacy check: Don't do this with sensitive documents. If you're extracting a scan of your passport or a tax return, do not upload it to a random website. You don't know where those files are stored or who has access to the temporary cache.
- File size limits: Most online extractors cap you at 100MB or 500MB. If you're trying to unpack a 4GB game file, the browser method will fail or take five hours.
Another "no-install" trick is using a portable version of 7-Zip. You can keep it on a USB drive. You run the .exe directly from the thumb drive, and it extracts the files without ever "installing" itself into the Windows 10 Registry. It’s a clean way to get the job done on restricted machines.
Dealing with multi-part RAR files (.part1.rar)
This is where people usually get confused and think their file is broken. Sometimes, when you download a large file, it’s split into pieces: movie.part1.rar, movie.part2.rar, and so on.
If you try to extract just part two, it will fail. It'll throw an "unexpected end of archive" error or tell you the file is corrupt.
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To fix this, make sure all the parts are in the exact same folder. You only need to right-click the first one (part 1). The extraction software is smart enough to see the other parts and automatically stitch them back together as it works. If you're missing even one part, the whole thing is useless. It’s like trying to finish a puzzle with a hole in the middle.
What about WinRAR?
We should talk about WinRAR because it's the elephant in the room. It is the "official" tool for this format. If you prefer a GUI (Graphical User Interface) that looks like it's from 2005, WinRAR is great. It handles "Recovery Records" better than almost anything else. If a RAR file is slightly damaged, WinRAR can sometimes fix it, whereas 7-Zip might just give up.
But for 99% of people learning how to extract RAR file in Windows 10, the constant "Evaluation Version" notification is just annoying. 7-Zip does the same job without the nagging.
Common errors and how to fix them
Sometimes you follow the steps and it still breaks. Here are the "why is this happening" scenarios:
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The "Header Corrupt" Error
This usually means the download didn't finish properly. RAR files are very sensitive to "bit rot" or interrupted connections. Try downloading the file again. If it's a very large file, use a download manager to ensure the integrity of the data.
The Password Prompt
If a box pops up asking for a password, there is no "hack" to bypass this. RAR encryption (AES-256) is incredibly strong. You have to go back to the source where you got the file. Often, the password is listed on the download page or is the URL of the website you used.
Windows Defender Flags the File
Sometimes Windows 10 will block the extraction because it thinks there's a virus inside. Be careful. RAR files are a popular way to hide malware because the Windows built-in scanner can't always "see" inside the encrypted or compressed archive until it's unpacked. Only extract files from sources you actually trust.
Real-world efficiency: A quick comparison
| Feature | 7-Zip | WinRAR | Online Tools |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Completely Free | Paid (Trial never ends) | Free (with limits) |
| Open Source | Yes | No | No |
| Speed | High (Multi-threaded) | High | Slow (Upload/Download) |
| Context Menu | Yes | Yes | No |
| Privacy | Local (Private) | Local (Private) | Server-side (Risk) |
Moving forward with your files
Now that you know how to extract RAR file in Windows 10, you might want to consider how you store your own files. While RAR is great for shrinking data, ZIP is far more "portable." If you send a ZIP to a friend, they can open it on Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android without downloading anything. Unless you absolutely need the high-level compression ratios of RAR or 7z, sticking to ZIP will save your recipients a lot of headaches.
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If you find yourself handling dozens of these files daily, take five minutes to go into the 7-Zip settings (Tools > Options) and check all the boxes for file associations. This makes 7-Zip the default "owner" of these files, so in the future, you can just double-click them like a normal folder.
Next Steps for You:
- Download the 64-bit x64 version of 7-Zip from the official site.
- Run the installer (it takes about 3 seconds).
- Locate your .rar file, right-click it, and select 7-Zip > Extract to "[Folder Name]".
- Delete the original .rar file once you've confirmed the files inside work, as keeping both just wastes hard drive space.