RAR to ZIP
Convert RAR to ZIP on Windows
On Windows, converting RAR to ZIP takes two built-in-friendly steps: extract with a RAR-capable tool, then compress the result with Explorer's own ZIP feature.
Get an archive tool for your computer
Download the installer and start opening RAR, ZIP and 7z archives in a few minutes.
Steps on Windows 11 or Windows 10
- 1Install a RAR-capable extractorIf you don't already have one, use 7-Zip (free) or WinRAR — see the official WinRAR download (external).
- 2Extract the RAR fileRight-click the
.rarfile and choose Extract Here or Extract to folder from your extractor's context menu. - 3Select the extracted filesOpen the extracted folder and select the files, or select the folder itself.
- 4Compress to ZIPRight-click the selection. On Windows 11, choose Compress to → ZIP file. On Windows 10, choose Send to → Compressed (zipped) folder.
- 5Verify the resultOpen the new ZIP to confirm all files are present before deleting the original RAR.
PowerShell method
PowerShell's built-in Compress-Archive cmdlet creates ZIP files but cannot extract RAR, so you still need a RAR-capable tool for the extraction step. A typical script looks like this once the RAR has already been extracted to a folder:
| Step | Command |
|---|---|
| Extract RAR (using 7-Zip's CLI, if installed) | 7z x archive.rar -oextracted |
| Compress the result to ZIP | Compress-Archive -Path .\extracted\* -DestinationPath .\archive.zip |
Troubleshooting
- RAR file won't extract: check whether it's a multi-part RAR and that all parts are in the same folder.
- Password prompt: you'll need the archive's password before extraction can complete — see password-protected RAR files.
- "Compressed folder is invalid" when creating the ZIP: this points to a problem with the extracted files, not the RAR; re-extract and try again.
Download and try it yourself
Install the archive tool and apply the steps from this guide on your own files.
Frequently asked questions
Can Windows 11 convert RAR to ZIP without any extra software?
No. Windows 11 can read the contents of a RAR file via its built-in support, but it cannot create ZIP files from a RAR without first extracting it using a RAR-capable tool.
Does Compress-Archive support RAR files directly?
No, `Compress-Archive` only creates and manages ZIP files. Extracting RAR requires a separate tool like 7-Zip or WinRAR.
Is there a one-click way to convert on Windows?
WinRAR's Convert archives feature comes close to one click for archives it can already open. See [RAR to ZIP converter](/rar-to-zip-converter) for details.
Will file timestamps survive the conversion on Windows?
Generally yes, both the extraction and Compress to ZIP steps preserve file modification dates in current versions of Windows and common extractors.
Related guides
- RAR to ZIP: How Archive Conversion WorksThere's no way to change a RAR file directly into a ZIP file byte-for-byte. Every method works the same way underneath: extract the RAR, then compress the result as a ZIP.
- How to Extract a RAR File on Windows 11Windows 11's built-in RAR support covers more than a basic double-click, from full extraction to pulling out individual files.
- Convert RAR to ZIP on MacmacOS's built-in Archive Utility can't open RAR files at all, so converting one to ZIP starts with a third-party extractor.
- How to Convert RAR to ZIPIf you just need one RAR file turned into a ZIP as quickly as possible, here is the shortest path for your platform.
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