

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.Īnother instance might be if you need to send a contract or a document that isn’t for public eyes to a colleague. 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. 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. WinRAR is an essential app anyone in need of a powerful tool for managing compressed files, or who simply wants to add an extra layer of security to their information.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. It's not only compatible with popular file extensions such as ZIP or RAR but also the majority of file formats, including ARJ, BZIP2, CAB, GZ, ISO, JAR, LHA, TAR, UUE, XZ, Z, ZIP, ZIPX, and 7z, among others.īut WinRAR can do more than just compress or extract files: it can also protect your information with AES encryption, and support files of up to an impressive 8.589 billion gigabytes. WinRAR stands out for its speed and perfect Mac integration, which makes it an essential tool for working with compressed files.

With this app, you can manage all the files on your computer, as it's capable of compressing all kinds of files. It's a great app for managing file types that many other apps can't open, such as ZIP and RAR. WinRAR is an app that can extract compressed files, as well as compress files so they take up less space on your Mac computer.
