How to Open or Extract a ZIP or RAR File
ZIP files open natively in Windows. RAR files need a free tool. This guide covers both, including password-protected archives.
On this page
Compressed archives are a convenient way to bundle multiple files together. Here is how to handle the two most common types.
ZIP files — built into Windows
Windows 10 and 11 handle ZIP files without any extra software.
- Preview contents: Double-click the ZIP file to open it like a folder and see what is inside.
- Extract all files: Right-click the ZIP file and choose 'Extract All'. Choose a destination folder and click 'Extract'. A new folder will appear with all the files inside.
- Extract individual files: Open the ZIP by double-clicking, then drag the files you need to any folder.
Windows 11 (version 23H2 and later) also natively supports TAR, 7z, and some other formats directly in File Explorer.
RAR files — need a free tool
RAR is a proprietary format not built into Windows. You need a third-party application. Two popular, safe, and free options are 7-Zip (completely free and open-source, available from 7-zip.org) and WinRAR (free to use indefinitely — the trial reminder can be dismissed).
After installing either tool, right-click the RAR file and you will see new options in the context menu, such as 'Extract Here' (extracts to the same folder) or 'Extract to [folder name]' (creates a new subfolder).
Password-protected archives
If an archive is password-protected, you will be prompted to enter the password when extracting. The password must come from the person or website that provided the archive — there is no way to bypass it legitimately if you do not have the password.
Archive is corrupt or won't open
A corrupted download is the most common cause of extraction errors. Try downloading the file again. If you received it by email and it is still corrupted, ask the sender to resend it.
Questions about a specific file format? Ask us.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to open a ZIP file sent to me by email?
Only if you were expecting it and trust the sender. Malicious ZIP files are a common way to deliver malware, since the actual harmful file is hidden inside. Your antivirus should scan the contents, but always be cautious about opening executable (.exe) files inside an archive from an unknown sender.
I extracted a ZIP file but the program inside still won't install. Why?
The ZIP may contain another compressed archive inside it, requiring a second extraction step. Also check that you are running the installer from the extracted location, not from inside the still-open ZIP viewer — some installers fail when run directly from within a compressed folder.
Comments & Questions (0)
No comments yet — be the first to ask. Comments appear after review.
Leave a comment
Your comment appears after our team approves it. Or sign in to post faster.