How to Extract RAR Files in Windows 10

Updated 6 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

This guide shows you how to open and extract RAR files in Windows 10, whether you have a single compressed folder or a multi-part archive. You’ll need a third-party tool like WinRAR or 7-Zip because Windows 10 does not natively support the RAR format. By the end, you’ll be able to extract files to any folder and handle password-protected or split archives.

What You’ll Need

A Windows 10 PC with an internet connection.
A RAR file (or multiple parts, e.g., .part1.rar, .part2.rar).
An extraction program: WinRAR (free trial) or 7-Zip (free, open-source). Both are safe and widely used.

Step-by-Step

Download and install an extraction tool. Go to the official website of WinRAR (rarlab.com) or 7-Zip (7-zip.org) and download the version matching your Windows (64-bit is standard). Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions. Accept default settings unless you know you need something else.
Locate your RAR file. Open File Explorer and navigate to the folder containing the .rar file. If you have a multi-part archive, make sure all parts (e.g., .part01.rar, .part02.rar) are in the same folder. The parts must be named consecutively.
Right-click the RAR file. This opens a context menu. The exact options depend on which tool you installed.
Choose an extraction option.
- WinRAR: Select “Extract Here� to extract into the current folder, or “Extract to [filename]\� to create a new folder with the archive’s name and place the contents inside.
- 7-Zip: Select “7-Zip� then “Extract Here� or “Extract to [filename]\�.
Wait for the process to finish. A progress window will appear. For large archives, this may take a few minutes. Do not close the window until it says “Done� or the progress bar disappears.
Access your extracted files. Once finished, you’ll see the extracted files in the destination folder. If you chose “Extract Here,� they’ll be mixed with other files; if you chose “Extract to [filename],� they’ll be in a new subfolder.
If the archive is password-protected, you’ll be prompted to enter the password. Type it and click OK. The password must be exactly correct, including case and special characters.

Common Mistakes

Extracting only one part of a multi-part archive. You must extract only the first part (usually .part01.rar or .rar). The tool automatically uses the other parts. Extracting a later part will fail.
Renaming files. Renaming a .rar file or its parts can break the archive. Keep the original names and extensions.
Using the wrong tool. Windows’ built-in “Extract All� only works for ZIP files, not RAR. If you right-click and see “Extract All� without a third-party tool, it won’t handle RAR.
Not having all parts. If you’re missing a part, extraction will fail with an error like “Cannot open file part2.rar.� Download all parts and place them in the same folder.
Interrupting the process. Closing the extraction window early can corrupt the output. Let it finish.

Tips

Use “Extract to [filename]� to keep your folders organized. It creates a dedicated folder for the archive’s contents.
Check for a password hint. If the archive is password-protected, the password may be provided by the source you got it from. Look for a readme or a note in the download description.
For large archives, ensure you have enough free disk space. The extracted files can be several times larger than the compressed archive.
Keep your tool updated. Both WinRAR and 7-Zip release updates to fix bugs and support new compression methods. Enable automatic updates if possible.
If you only need to view a file, you can double-click the RAR file to open it in WinRAR or 7-Zip and then double-click individual files to preview them without extracting everything.

Troubleshooting

“Cannot open file … as archive� – This usually means the file is not a valid RAR archive. It could be corrupted, or the extension might be wrong (e.g., a file renamed to .rar). Try downloading the file again. If it’s a multi-part archive, ensure you have all parts and are extracting the first one.

“Unexpected end of archive� – This indicates the archive is incomplete or corrupted. Re-download the file, especially if you’re on a slow or unstable connection. For multi-part archives, verify all parts are present and have the correct sizes.

“CRC failed� – This means the extracted file does not match the checksum stored in the archive. The archive is corrupted. Re-download and try again. If the problem persists, the source may have a bad file.

“No files to extract� – The archive might be empty or the tool is not recognizing the format. Try opening the RAR file directly in the extraction tool (double-click it) to see if any files are listed. If not, the archive is likely damaged.

Password prompt appears but you don’t know the password – There is no way to bypass it. Contact the person who created or shared the archive. Do not attempt to crack the password; it’s illegal and often impossible.

Extraction is very slow – This can happen with large archives or if your antivirus is scanning every file. Temporarily disable real-time protection (if safe) or add the extraction folder to your antivirus exclusions. Also, make sure you’re extracting to a local drive, not a network drive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is WinRAR free? WinRAR offers a free trial that never expires, but it shows a reminder to purchase a license. 7-Zip is completely free and open-source.

Can I extract RAR files without installing software? No, Windows 10 does not have built-in RAR support. You need a third-party tool. Some online services can extract RAR files, but uploading files online poses privacy risks, so it’s safer to use a local program.

How do I extract a multi-part RAR archive? Place all parts (e.g., .part01.rar, .part02.rar) in the same folder. Then right-click the first part (usually .part01.rar or .rar) and choose “Extract Here� or similar. The tool will automatically combine the parts.

Why do I get “Extract All� but it doesn’t work? “Extract All� is Windows’ built-in ZIP extractor. It does not support RAR. You must use WinRAR, 7-Zip, or another RAR-capable program.

Can I create RAR files in Windows 10? Yes, with WinRAR or 7-Zip you can compress files into RAR format. Right-click the file(s), choose “Add to archive,� and select RAR as the format.

Is it safe to extract RAR files? Generally yes, but RAR files can contain malware. Only extract files from trusted sources. If you’re unsure, scan the extracted files with your antivirus before opening them.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.