Windows 11/10 users can now enjoy native support for RAR files and various other archive file formats, thanks to a recent announcement by Microsoft. However, the process of converting files to the RAR format requires the use of external tools.
In this guide, we will walk you through the various ways to convert files to RAR format in Windows 11/10. So, get ready to unlock the full potential of RAR in your Windows operating system.
Converting Files to RAR Format in Windows 11/10
Let’s explore two methods for converting files to RAR format in Windows 11/10:
Method #1: Using WinRAR to Convert Files to RAR
- Launch File Explorer and navigate to the archive you want to convert. Right-click on the file and select “Open with” > “WinRAR archiver.”
- WinRAR will open the file. If you are using the evaluation copy, click on the “Close” button in the prompt asking you to purchase a WinRAR license. You can continue using WinRAR for free with limited features.
- Click on the “Tools” menu at the top and select “Convert archives.” Alternatively, you can use the Alt+Q hotkey.
- In the “Convert archive” window, click on the “Compression” button.
- In the “Set default compression options” window, select “RAR” under “Archive format” and click on the “OK” button.
- Click on “OK” in the “Convert archive” window to initiate the conversion process.
- Once the conversion is complete, click on the “Close” button to exit the file conversion window.
By default, the converted archive will be saved in the same folder as the source file. However, you can change this location by clicking on the “Browse” button next to the “Folder for converted archives” option in the “Convert archives” window.
WinRAR is free to use. After 40 days, it may display a notification to upgrade to the Pro version, but you can continue using it for free with limited features. You can download WinRAR from their official website.
Method #2: Using Free Online File Converters to Convert Files to RAR
There are several online file conversion tools available that allow you to convert archives to RAR format for free. Here are two such tools you can use on your Windows 11/10 PC:
A. ConvertFiles
ConvertFiles is an ad-supported online file conversion tool that allows you to quickly convert archives up to 250 MB in size. You can convert as many files as you want per day, as long as the archives are not password-protected or multi-volume archives. To convert files to RAR using ConvertFiles, follow these steps:
- Navigate to the ConvertFiles website.
- Click on the “Browse” button next to the “Choose a local file” option and select the archive file from your PC.
- ConvertFiles will automatically detect the input file format. Select “RAR” from the “Output format” dropdown.
- Next, click on the “Convert” button. The file will begin uploading and take a few minutes to convert to the RAR format
- After conversion, click on the “Click here to go to the download page” link to access the download page. Then click on the ‘.rar’ file link to download the converted archive.
By default, the converted archive remains on the ConvertFiles servers for 1 hour. However, you have the option to manually delete the file using the “Delete output file” link on the download page.
B. Convertio
Convertio is another online tool that allows you to convert files to RAR format, although it provides limited features for free conversion of archived files. The maximum file size allowed is 100 MB, and you can convert up to 10 files per 24 hours. To convert files to RAR using Convertio, follow the steps below:
- Navigate to the Convertio website.
- Click on the “Choose Files” button to browse and select the files you want to convert from your computer. You can also upload files from Dropbox or Google Drive.
- From the dropdown menu labeled “to,” select “RAR” as the desired output format.
- Click on the “Convert” button located in the bottom right corner of the page.
- Allow Convertio to upload and convert your files. Once the conversion is complete, click on the “Download” button to obtain your converted archive.
The converted files will be available for download on Convertio for 24 hours. However, you can manually delete them from the “My Files” section if needed.
Final Words
There you have it on how to convert files to RAR format in Windows 11/10. Whether you choose to use WinRAR or online tools like ConvertFiles or Convertio, you now have the means to convert your files efficiently. We hope you find this guide helpful for your file conversion needs.
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