WinRAR
WinRAR on Windows 10
Windows 10's File Explorer has no built-in ability to open RAR files, so a program like WinRAR is required to extract them.
Get an archive tool for your computer
Download the installer and start opening RAR, ZIP and 7z archives in a few minutes.
Windows 10 does not open RAR natively
Unlike Windows 11, which gained built-in archive support in a later update, Windows 10's File Explorer cannot open, browse, or extract RAR files on its own. Double-clicking a RAR file on Windows 10 without any archiver installed will not work as expected. WinRAR — or a free alternative like 7-Zip, covered on WinRAR alternatives — is required.
Installing WinRAR on Windows 10
The process is the same installer-driven setup used on any Windows version. Step-by-step instructions are on how to install WinRAR on Windows 10, and general download and verification guidance is on the WinRAR download guide.
32-bit or 64-bit on Windows 10
Most Windows 10 PCs sold in recent years are 64-bit, but older machines may run the 32-bit edition of Windows 10. Check your system type before downloading — see 64-bit WinRAR and 32-bit WinRAR for how to find out.
Extracting your first RAR file
- 1Install WinRARDownload and run the correct installer for your Windows 10 architecture.
- 2Right-click the RAR fileChoose Extract Here or Extract to [folder name] from the context menu WinRAR adds.
- 3Open the extracted folderThe uncompressed files appear in the location you chose, separate from the original archive.
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 10 open RAR files without any software?
No. Unlike Windows 11's later updates, Windows 10's File Explorer has no built-in RAR support. You need WinRAR or another archiver.
Will WinRAR ever get built-in Windows 10 support like Windows 11?
That native support was added to Windows itself, not to WinRAR, and Microsoft has not extended it to Windows 10. A dedicated archiver remains necessary there.
Is WinRAR the only option for Windows 10?
No. Free alternatives such as 7-Zip also open RAR files on Windows 10. See [WinRAR alternatives](/winrar-alternatives) for a comparison.
Related guides
- How to Install WinRAR on Windows 10Installing WinRAR on Windows 10 follows the same basic process as Windows 11, with a few differences worth knowing beforehand.
- WinRAR on Windows 11Windows 11 can open RAR files without any extra software, but WinRAR still adds features that Windows' built-in support doesn't cover.
- WinRAR Download Guide for WindowsWinRAR is only distributed as a program you install; getting it safely means downloading from RARLAB's official site and confirming the installer is genuine before you run it.
- Why Won't My RAR File Open?Work through these causes in order, from most to least common. Most RAR files that "won't open" are fixed at the first or second step.
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