You might be wondering why RAR files are used instead of ZIP files which are immediately accessible natively through the computer. The software lets you open RAR files in moments, accessing all the volumes within the archive. If you find yourself with a RAR file extension unable to open it, that’s where WinZip comes in. 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. 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. The RAR file format is short for Roshal Archive Compressed file, and is a compressed archive from WinRAR. If you’re familiar with ZIP files, you’ll get to grips with RAR files in no time as the concept is fairly similar.

Starting from the Google search for the software, you should have your answer in less than 15 minutes.Īre you saying you have a file that someone renamed to a '.rar' file, and you are now trying to figure out what type of file it was originally? yes, I am trying to change the extension and I don't know how The easiest way without changing any system-wide viewing settings is one of the oldest freewares I am still using - and not because it is so pretty, but because i haven't found any better one since then! Made for NT4, worked on 98, ME, 2000, 2003 and XP as well, but I haven't try it on Vista (and I never will, hehe):Įxcellent PropertiesPlus 1.Rated 5 stars by CNET What is a RAR file extension?Ī RAR file extension is something you might come across sooner or later as you transfer files for business use. WinRAR or 7-Zip are two free alternatives which will either recreate the original file, or confirm it is not a valid file of this type.

You most likely need to DeCompress the file in order to use it. Change a DLL and your system might not boot anymore.Īs a general rule, there is almost never a need to rename a file extension unless someone deliberately screwed up. Change a DOC file to '.BOB' and you can still open it, Word just won't show it in the default view. The extension generally indicates the family tree of the file '.DOC' for MSWord files, '.MPG' for mpeg video, '.DLL' for Windows system library files. Renaming does nothing to make the file usuable, in fact it will make it LESS usable. I'm gonna guess that since you don't know how to rename a file, you are doing it for the wrong reasons.Ī file ending in an extensions of '.RAR' is indicating that is is a Compressed file in the WinRAR format.

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