how do i open a .rar file?

[Slav2]

like i downloaded a couple files off the internet and they were all .rar files....i cant open them, and am looking for some advise as to how to open them.

[PaxBritannia]

7zip would be my recommendation, it's free, and works in both Windows and Mac OS. Just install the program and then you'll be able to open them like normal .zip files.

http://www.7-zip.org/

pax.

[Chris]

or winrar.

[Jackolantern]

While you can use WinRar forever without paying anything, it is kind of nice that 7zip is open source, and will never try to hussle you with "Your trial is up" dialogs. I do love WinRar though. I love how it adds "unzip here" options to your right-click menu. Not sure if 7zip has that, too, but if it does I will likely change over. That is the only thing still keeping me attached to WinRar and clicking to close those trial dialogs.

[SpiritWebb]

I have them both, and prefer winrar

[Slav2]

awesome guys! Thanks!