Windows
How to Set the Default RAR File Opener in Windows
You can change which app opens RAR files automatically using either the right-click Open with menu or Windows Settings.
If double-clicking a RAR file opens the wrong app, or you've just installed a new archive tool and want it to take over, you can set the default opener in a couple of clicks. This guide covers the quick task itself; for a deeper look at how Windows file associations work and how to fix them when they break, see RAR file associations in Windows.
Method 1: Open with
- 1Right-click any .rar fileSelect "Open with" from the context menu.
- 2Choose "Choose another app"This shows the full list of installed apps that can handle the file.
- 3Select your preferred appPick the archive tool you want to use, such as 7-Zip or WinRAR.
- 4Check "Always use this app to open .rar files"This makes the change permanent instead of one-time.
- 5Click OKThe selected app is now the default for RAR files.
Method 2: Settings > Default apps
- 1Open SettingsGo to Apps, then Default apps.
- 2Search for .rar in "Set defaults for file types"Or search by app name if you prefer setting all its file types at once.
- 3Select your preferred app for .rarWindows updates the association immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How do I change the default app for RAR files in Windows?
Right-click a .rar file, choose Open with > Choose another app, select your preferred app, and check "Always use this app." Or use Settings > Apps > Default apps.
Why isn't my archive tool showing up as an option?
It may not have registered as a RAR handler during installation. Reinstalling or repairing it usually fixes this.
Does setting a default RAR opener affect ZIP files too?
No, file type associations are set per extension, so RAR and ZIP defaults are independent.
Do I need admin rights to change the default RAR opener?
Usually no, since this sets a per-user preference, not a system-wide setting.
Related guides
- RAR File Associations in Windows: How to Change ThemA file association tells Windows which app to launch when you double-click a given file type; RAR associations can break after uninstalling an archive tool.
- How to Open RAR Files in Windows 11Windows 11 added native RAR extraction to File Explorer, so most `.rar` files open without installing anything.
- WinRAR AlternativesIf you want to stop paying for or evaluating WinRAR, several free and paid programs can open and create archives instead. Here is what each one does and does not do.
- How to Open a RAR FileOpening a RAR file usually means extracting its contents first. Here is the fastest way to do that on each major platform.
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