This wikiHow teaches you how to download WinRAR and use it to open RAR files on a Windows computer. RAR files are compressed containers that cannot be opened without special software, in this case WinRAR. You'll need a program other than WinRAR if you want to open RAR files on a Mac.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Installing WinRAR
Step 1. Go to the WinRAR installation site
open
https://www.win-rar.com/download.html?&L=0
in the web browser of your choice.
Step 2. Click Download WinRAR
It's a blue button at the top of the page. Click to be taken to the ad page.
If you are using a 64 bit version of Windows, click the link click here (click here) below the blue button. Check the computer bit before clicking on the 64 bit link.
Step 3. Click the Continue to download WinRAR link
This link is at the top of the page. Click to download the WinRAR setup file to your computer.
Depending on the browser you are using, you will first need to confirm the download or select a save location
Step 4. Double click the setup file
This is a multicolored file that can be found on your computer's download location.
Step 5. Click Yes when prompted
The WinRAR installer will open.
Step 6. Click Install
This button is located at the bottom of the installer window. Click to start installing WinRAR to the computer.
Step 7. Make sure the "RAR" box is checked
It's in the upper-left side of the WinRAR window.
Step 8. Click OK, then click Done.
WinRAR will now be installed to the computer, which means the RAR file will start opening.
Part 2 of 2: Using WinRAR
Step 1. Open WinRAR
The WinRAR application looks like a stack of books.
Step 2. Click File
It's in the upper-left corner of the WinRAR window.
Step 3. Click Open archive
This option is above the drop-down menu File (file).
Step 4. Select the RAR file
WinRAR will open the desktop directory; If your RAR file is there, click to select it.
If the associated RAR file is not on your desktop, you can go to its location by clicking on the folder on the left side of the window
Step 5. Click Open
It's at the bottom of the window. Click to open the RAR file in the WinRAR window.
You can display the contents of a RAR file in WinRAR
Step 6. Click Extract To
This option has a brown folder-shaped icon in the upper-left side of the WinRAR window.
Step 7. Select a location to extract the files
Click the destination folder on the right side of the WinRAR window to select it.
You can also click the icon + on the left of a folder to expand it and show subfolders.
Step 8. Click OK
This will start extracting the contents of the RAR file to the selected folder. When the extraction is complete, the contents of the RAR file will be accessible like a normal file or folder.