How to extract RAR, 7z, GZ files on Windows 11

On Windows 11, you can open and extract archive formats, such as RAR, 7z, and GZ, and in this guide, you will learn two ways to complete this task. Files with “.rar,” “.7z,” “.gz,” “.tar.gz.” extensions are containers created using Unix-based archival applications, which you may find on Linux and macOS systems. Usually, they are used for backups and archival, including distributing applications over the internet.

Windows 11 includes native support to extract “.gz” and “.tar.gz” files but support “.rar,” “.7z,” and other formats won’t arrive until later in 2023. However, you can use third-party tools like 7zip to open and extract these files.

7zip is a free and open-source file manager available on Windows, macOS, and Linux that you can use to open and extract virtually any kind of archival format, including “.rar,” “.7z,” “.gz,” “.tar.gz.,” “.iso,” “.img,” “.vhdx,” “.dmg,” “.cab,” “.zip,” and many others. You can even open files protected with a password (as long as you have the password to unlock it). Of course, you can always use WinRAR, but even though you can use it for free, you must pay to access additional features.

This guide will teach you the steps to open and extract RAR, 7z, and GZ files on Windows 11.

Extract RAR, 7z, GZ files using 7zip

Since Windows 11 doesn’t include native support to manage archival containers, such as RAR, 7z, and GZ, you will have to rely on free third-party tools, such as 7zip.

Install 7zip

To install the 7zip app on Windows 11, use these steps:

Open Start.
Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and choose the Run as administrator option.
Type the following command to install the 7zip app on Windows 11 and press Enter:

winget install --id 7zip.7zip

Once you complete the steps, you can use the app to open and extract virtually any kind of archival file format.

Extract RAR, 7z, GZ files

To open and extract a RAR, 7z, or GZ file format on Windows 11, use these steps:

Open Start.
Search for 7zip File Manager and click the top result to open the app.
Click the down-arrow button on the right of the address bar and choose the drive where your files are stored.
Open the folder with the RAR, 7z, or GZ to open.
Double-click the RAR, 7z, or GZ file to open it.

Quick note: If the file is large, uncompressing and opening may take a while. If you close the app without extracting the contents, you will have to uncompress the file again.
Select the files to extract from the container.
Click the Extract button.
Specify the folder location.
Click the OK button.

After you complete the steps, the contents of the archival container will extract to the destination folder.

Extract RAR, 7z, GZ files using WSL

Alternatively, if you use the Windows Subsystem for Linux, you can install the P7Zip app to open and extract RAR, 7z, and GZ files using commands.

Install P7Zip

To install P7Zip on WSL, use these steps:

Open Start.
Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and choose the Run as administrator option.
Type the following command to spin the WSL (Ubuntu) distro and press Enter:

wsl
Type the following command to check that the local package index is up to date and press Enter:

sudo apt update
Type the following command to install P7Zip in the WSL distro and press Enter:

sudo apt install p7zip-full p7zip-rar
Type “Y” and press Enter to continue with the installation.
(Optional) Type the following command to confirm the app has been installed and press Enter:

7z

Once you complete the steps, you can use the Ubuntu terminal to extract RAR, 7z, and GZ files on Windows 11.

In the case you are dealing with a RAR or Zip folder with a password, the app will prompt you to enter the authentication information during the extraction process or when trying to open a specific file.

If you have a RAR file divided into multiple files, you only need to open the first one, and during the extraction process, 7Zip will reassemble and extract the files accordingly.

Extract RAR, 7z, GZ files

To open and extract a RAR, 7z, or GZ file format on Windows 11, use these steps:

Open Start.
Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and choose the Run as administrator option.
Type the following command to spin the WSL (Ubuntu) distro and press Enter:

wsl
Type the following command to move to the folder containing the RAR, 7z, and GZ files and press Enter:

cd Users/USER/Downloads/extract

Quick note: On Linux, when specifying a path, you have to use “/” not “\” like on Windows. Also, in the command, update the path with the location where your archival files are located.
(Optional) Type the following command to view details about the archival container before extracting it, and press Enter:

7z l FILE-NAME.rar

In the command, replace “FILE-NAME.rar” with the actual name of your file.
Type the following command to unrar a file and press Enter:

7z e FILE-NAME.rar

In the command, replace “FILE-NAME.rar” with the actual name of the file to extract.
(Optional) Type the following command to extract the file to a specific folder and press Enter:

7z e FILE-NAME.rar -oc:/mnt/c/PATH/EXTRACTION/

In the command, replace “FILE-NAME.rar” with the actual name of the file and update the path to the folder you want to extract the contents.