Can you turn a RAR file into a ZIP file?
What are RAR and ZIP files?
RAR and ZIP are two popular compressed file formats used for archiving and compressing data. RAR stands for Roshal Archive while ZIP refers to the zipping algorithm used to compress files in the ZIP file format.
The RAR file format was first introduced in 1993 by Eugene Roshal as an alternative to the ZIP format. RAR files use a higher compression ratio and can be split into multipart archives, making it useful for compressing large files and archives. RAR files require WinRAR or other specialized software to decompress. The ZIP file format was created in 1989 by Phil Katz and is the most common compressed archive format used today. ZIP files use standardized compression techniques and can be opened by most modern operating systems without requiring additional software.1
RAR is commonly used for its stronger encryption and compression for storing and transferring large volumes of data efficiently. ZIP is generally preferred as a universal compressed file format as modern operating systems can extract ZIP archives without additional software.2 Both formats allow grouping multiple files together in a compressed archive to save disk space.
Why Convert RAR to ZIP?
The main reason to convert a RAR file to a ZIP file is that the ZIP format is more universally supported and accessible across devices and platforms. Though RAR offers better compression ratios in many cases, the ZIP format is compatible with far more operating systems, software and services by default.
ZIP is natively supported across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS and other systems without needing to install additional software. RAR on the other hand requires proprietary software like WinRAR to be installed for decompressing and accessing files. Many websites, email providers and cloud storage services also recognize and support ZIP archives but not RAR.
This wider support makes it easier to share, transfer and access ZIP archives across devices, platforms and over the internet. When sharing with others who may not have RAR software installed, converting to ZIP avoids headaches and ensures compatibility.
According to Diffen.com, “The ZIP archive file format is more accessible than RAR, but RAR is generally better at data compression than the default support for ZIP is.” (Source). For maximum compatibility, converting RAR to ZIP makes sense despite slightly larger file sizes.
How to convert RAR to ZIP
There are a few different ways to convert a RAR file to ZIP format. Here are some options:
Use free file conversion tools: There are many free online converters that allow you to upload a RAR file and download it as a ZIP archive. Some examples include Converter, Zamzar, and EzyZip. These tools are quick and easy to use.
UnRAR utility: You can use the free UnRAR command line utility to extract the contents of a RAR file, then compress the extracted files into a new ZIP archive. This works on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Command line options: On Windows, you can use the “compact” command to convert RAR to ZIP. For example: compact /c folder.rar folder.zip. On Mac or Linux, you can use UnRAR with flags like: unrar e file.rar; zip -r9 file.zip extracted_files/. This uncompresses then re-compresses.
Overall, the simplest option is to use an online file conversion tool. But power users may prefer using UnRAR or command line options which don’t require uploading files.
Step-by-Step Guide
Converting RAR files to ZIP is straightforward using desktop software designed for this purpose. Here are the key steps:
1. Download conversion software like 7-Zip or WinZip.
2. Add RAR files you want to convert by dragging and dropping them into the software.
3. Select ZIP as the output format.
4. Configure any settings like compression level or password protection.
5. Start the conversion process. The software will compress and convert the RAR files to ZIP format.
6. When finished, locate the ZIP files in the destination folder. They are ready to use!
Important Considerations When Converting RAR to ZIP
When converting RAR files to ZIP, there are some key factors to keep in mind:
File compression – RAR files use a proprietary compression algorithm that often achieves better compression ratios than the DEFLATE algorithm used in ZIP files. Converting to ZIP may result in larger file sizes.
Password protection – RAR files support AES-256 bit encryption for password protection. ZIP files use weaker encryption. Passwords may be lost when converting RAR to ZIP.
Preserving metadata – RAR files can store metadata like file dates, attributes and original path. This metadata may not be preserved when converting to ZIP.
Handling large files – RAR is better suited for compressing and splitting large files across multiple volumes. ZIP may struggle with very large file conversions.
Overall, RAR offers more advanced compression and security features than ZIP. Some functionality and metadata may be lost when converting RAR archives to ZIP format.
Pros of ZIP format
The ZIP format has several advantages that make it a popular choice for compression and archiving files:
Supported on all platforms – ZIP is compatible across Windows, Mac, Linux and other operating systems, so zip files can be opened and extracted by users on any device. This cross-platform support makes it a versatile format.
Smaller file sizes – Files compressed in ZIP format are typically smaller than uncompressed files and other archive formats like RAR. ZIP uses effective compression algorithms to reduce file sizes.
Open specification – ZIP is based on an open, published specification that anyone can implement. This openness has led to broad adoption and support across platforms and software.
According to KLS Mail Backup, key advantages of ZIP include high speed, good compression ratio, and wide operating system support.
Cons of ZIP format
One drawback of zip format compared to other archive files formats like RAR is that zip files offer less efficient compression. According to Rakuten-Drive, zip compression is generally 30-50% weaker than RAR compression. This means zip files will be significantly larger in size.
Another disadvantage of zip is the lack of recovery records. Recovery records allow damaged or corrupt archive files to be repaired or recovered more easily. Without these, data in a corrupt zip file can be difficult or even impossible to recover.
ZIP files also tend to have weaker encryption compared to other formats. The standard ZIP encryption is relatively easy to crack. While more advanced encryption like AES 256-bit is available, support varies across platforms and can lead to compatibility issues.
Alternatives to Conversion
There are a few alternatives to converting RAR files to ZIP you may want to consider:
Online File Conversion Services
Some websites like ezyZip offer free online conversion of RAR files to ZIP without needing to install any software. These online converters are quick and easy to use, although there may be file size or other limitations.
Cloud Storage Without Compression
Many cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive support RAR files without needing extraction or conversion. Storing the RAR files “as is” preserves compression while still making the files accessible across devices.
RAR Software Add-ons
Some software tools like 7-Zip allow working with RAR files without fully converting them. These tools can open, extract, or compress RAR while keeping the core .rar extension intact.
When conversion fails
Sometimes, you may run into some issues when trying to convert your RAR file to a ZIP file, such as:
Damaged RAR files
If your RAR file is broken or damaged, the conversion utility may not be able to properly interpret and unpack the files contained within it. This can lead to corrupted or unusable ZIP files after conversion.
Password protected RARs
If you set a password on your RAR file, most conversion tools will not be able to bypass this password protection in order to extract and convert the contents. You will need to provide or remove the password first before being able to create a ZIP version.
Insufficient permissions
The conversion process needs read access to the source RAR file and write access to the destination folder in order to function properly. If you receive errors related to access denied, check the permissions on the locations involved to resolve the problem.
Summary
To recap, RAR and ZIP are two popular compressed file formats. While RAR files usually have better compression and provide more features, ZIP is more universally supported across different devices and platforms.
In most cases, converting a RAR file to ZIP format is straightforward using free tools like 7-Zip, WinRAR, or Zamzar online conversion. The conversion process involves opening the RAR file, selecting the contents, and then choosing the save or export to ZIP option. The ZIP file size will usually be larger than the original RAR.
Some key factors to consider when deciding if converting RAR to ZIP is beneficial include compatibility, file size, integrity, and supported features. In situations where wide device support is needed or storage space is limited, saving as ZIP may make sense. Otherwise, keeping archived files in RAR format takes full advantage of its smaller size and additional capabilities.
In conclusion, while the ZIP file format has wider device and app support as a standard, RAR files provide better compression and more advanced tools. Converting RAR archives to ZIP is simple when compatibility is a priority. However, if file size and format-specific features are more essential then retaining the RAR format may be preferable.