Recover .RAR Files from an SD Card: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Have files been deleted due to a user’s error or software error? Have you formatted a disk by accident and need to know how to recover the files? Read our .RAR file recovery guide for Windows, MacOS, Android and IOS in 2025.

Recover .RAR Files from an SD Card: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
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What is a .RAR file?

A RAR file is an archive that contains one or more files compressed with RAR compression. It uses a higher compression ratio than typical ZIP compression and incorporates a proprietary compression algorithm that is now used by other compressors, including 7-Zip for its .7Z files. RAR files may be extracted using a variety of programs.

What Are Common Causes of ".RAR" Files Lost or Failure?

There are several common causes of ".RAR" files being lost or failing:

  1. Accidental deletion: Users may accidentally delete ".RAR" files while organizing or cleaning up their computer's storage.
  2. Virus or malware attacks: RAR files can be corrupted or deleted if they become infected by viruses or malware.
  3. Power failure: If a computer shuts down abruptly due to a power outage or other issues, it can result in the loss or corruption of ".RAR" files.
  4. Hardware failure: A malfunctioning hard drive or other hardware components can lead to the loss or corruption of ".RAR" files.
  5. Software conflicts: Incompatibility or conflicts with software programs can cause ".RAR" files to become inaccessible or fail to open.
  6. File system errors: Errors in the file system, such as disk errors or bad sectors, can result in the loss or corruption of ".RAR" files.
  7. Improper compression or extraction: If a ".RAR" file is not compressed or extracted properly, it may become corrupted and fail to open.
  8. Interruption during file transfer: If there is an interruption or error during the transfer of a ".RAR" file, it may become incomplete or corrupted.
  9. Operating system issues: Problems with the operating system, such as crashes or errors, can lead to the loss or corruption of ".RAR" files.
  10. Human error: Mistakes made by users, such as accidentally formatting a storage device or overwriting ".RAR" files, can result in their loss or failure.

How to recover lost ".RAR" files?

Sometimes while working with a computer, laptop or other stationary or mobile devices, you may encounter various bugs, freezes, hardware or software failures, even in spite of regular updates and junk cleaning. As a result, an important ".RAR" file may be deleted.

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🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

By no means should you think that the only way to recover a ".RAR" file is always to create it once more.

Use programs for recovering ".RAR" files if a file was lost after accidental or deliberate deleting, formatting the memory card or the internal storage, cleaning the storage device, after a virus attack or a system failure.

Programs to recover ".RAR" files

Looking for a way to get files back? In cases when files were deleted and they cannot be restored by using standard operating system tools, use Hetman Partition Recovery.

Partition Recovery™ 5.0
The tool recovers data from any devices, regardless of the cause of data loss.
Download

Follow the directions below:

  1. Download Hetman Partition Recovery, install and start the program.

  2. The program will automatically scan the computer and display all hard disks and removable drives connected to it, as well as physical and local disks.

    File Recovery Software

  3. Double-click on the disk from which you need to recover ".RAR" files, and select analysis type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Analysis Type

  4. When the scanning is over, you will be shown the files for recovery.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Files that Can be Restored

  5. To find a file you need, use the program’s interface to open the folder it was deleted from, or go to the folder "Content-Aware Analysis" and select the required file type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Deep Scan

  6. Select the files you have been looking for and click "Recovery".

    File Recovery Software - Files List for Recovery

  7. Choose one of the methods for saving the files and recover them.

    Saving recovered files in Hetman Partition Recovery

How to open file with ".RAR" extension?

Looking for how to open a stereo winRAR Compressed Archive image file file?

Programs that open ".RAR" files

Windows
File Viewer Plus File Viewer Plus
WinRAR 5 WinRAR 5
Corel WinZip 23 Corel WinZip 23
Smith Micro StuffIt Deluxe for Windows Smith Micro StuffIt Deluxe for Windows
7-Zip 7-Zip
Zipeg Zipeg
PeaZip PeaZip
B1 Free Archiver B1 Free Archiver
WinMount International WinMount WinMount International WinMount
Whirling Dervishes Alpha ZIP Whirling Dervishes Alpha ZIP
Free RAR Extract Frog Free RAR Extract Frog
Mac
Corel WinZip Mac 7 Corel WinZip Mac 7
Smith Micro StuffIt Deluxe 16 Smith Micro StuffIt Deluxe 16
Incredible Bee Archiver Incredible Bee Archiver
The Unarchiver The Unarchiver
B1 Free Archiver B1 Free Archiver
UnRarX UnRarX
Zipeg Zipeg
Linux
B1 Free Archiver B1 Free Archiver
PeaZip PeaZip
Android
ES File Explorer File Manager ES File Explorer File Manager
RARLAB RAR RARLAB RAR
ZDevs ZArchiver ZDevs ZArchiver

Additional Information

  • File type: WinRAR Compressed Archive

  • File extension: .RAR

  • Developer: Eugene Roshal

  • Category: Compressed Files

  • Format: Binary

  • Mime-type: application/x-rar-compressed

  • HEX: 52 61 72 21 1A

  • ASCII: Rar!

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Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 13:52 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .RAR files after deleting, cleaning or formatting!
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Vladimir Artiukh

Author: Vladimir Artiukh, Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Oleg Afonin

Editor: Oleg Afonin, Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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Questions and answers

  • What are some common reasons for encountering problems when trying to open .RAR files?

    There can be several common reasons for encountering problems when trying to open .RAR files:

    1. Incompatible software: If you do not have a program that supports .RAR files installed on your computer, you won't be able to open them. Ensure that you have a suitable software such as WinRAR, 7-Zip, or WinZip installed.
    2. Corrupted or incomplete file: If the .RAR file is corrupted or not downloaded properly, you might face issues while opening it. Try re-downloading the file and ensure that the download is complete.
    3. Incorrect file extension: Sometimes, the file extension may be incorrect or missing. Make sure the file extension is .RAR and not something else like .RAR.txt. You can rename the file to add the correct extension.
    4. Password-protected file: If the .RAR file is password-protected, you will need to enter the correct password to open it. Check if you have the required password and enter it correctly.
    5. Outdated software: If you are using an outdated version of the software that supports .RAR files, it may cause compatibility issues. Update your software to the latest version and try opening the file again.
    6. File compression errors: If the .RAR file was not compressed properly, it may result in errors when trying to open it. In such cases, you may need to obtain a new or properly compressed file.
    7. System or hardware issues: Sometimes, problems with your computer's system or hardware can cause issues with opening .RAR files. Ensure that your system is functioning properly and try opening the file on a different device to rule out any hardware-related problems.

    If you continue to experience problems with opening .RAR files, it's recommended to contact the file sender or seek further assistance from technical support.

  • What are some troubleshooting steps to fix issues with opening .RAR files?

    Here are some troubleshooting steps to fix issues with opening .RAR files:

    1. Update your file archiver software: Ensure that you have the latest version of the software you are using to open .RAR files. Outdated software may have compatibility issues with newer .RAR file formats.
    2. Check file integrity: Verify that the .RAR file you are trying to open is not corrupted or incomplete. Try downloading the file again or obtaining it from a different source.
    3. Use a different file archiver: If your current software fails to open the .RAR file, try using an alternative file archiver such as WinRAR, 7-Zip, or WinZip. Different archivers may have varying levels of compatibility with .RAR files.
    4. Repair the .RAR file: Some file archivers provide options to repair damaged or corrupted archives. Look for such options in your archiver software and attempt to repair the .RAR file.
    5. Extract individual files: Instead of opening the entire .RAR file, try extracting individual files from it. Sometimes, specific files within the archive may be corrupt, causing issues with opening the entire archive.
    6. Check for password protection: If the .RAR file is password-protected, ensure that you have the correct password. Double-check with the source of the file if necessary.
    7. Disable antivirus software: Temporarily disable your antivirus software as it might interfere with opening .RAR files. Some antivirus programs may mistakenly flag .RAR files as malicious and prevent them from being opened.
    8. Scan for malware: Run a thorough scan of your system using reliable antivirus software to check for any malware that might be causing issues with opening .RAR files.
    9. Contact the file sender: If you received the .RAR file from someone else, contact them to confirm if the file is intact and compatible with your archiver software. They might be able to provide a different version of the file or assist you in troubleshooting the issue.
    10. Seek help from technical support: If none of the above steps resolve the issue, reach out to the technical support team of your file archiver software for further assistance. They may be able to provide specific guidance or troubleshooting steps tailored to your software version.
  • Are there any specific software or tools that can help resolve problems with opening .RAR files?

    Yes, there are several software and tools available that can help resolve problems with opening .RAR files. Some popular options include:

    1. WinRAR: It is a widely used file compression and extraction software that supports the .RAR file format. It can handle various archive formats and offers features like encryption, password protection, and repair capabilities.
    2. 7-Zip: This is a free and open-source file archiver that supports multiple formats, including .RAR files. It has a user-friendly interface and provides high compression ratios.
    3. PeaZip: It is another free file archiver that supports the extraction of .RAR files. It offers a simple and intuitive interface and supports various archive formats.
    4. UnRAR: This is a command-line utility specifically designed for extracting .RAR files. It is available for multiple operating systems and can be used in conjunction with other tools or scripts.
    5. B1 Free Archiver: It is a free multi-platform file archiver that supports various formats, including .RAR files. It offers a simple and easy-to-use interface and provides options for encryption and password protection.

    These tools can help you extract and open .RAR files, and some of them also offer features for repairing corrupted archives.
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