So, just imagine you've received an important RAR file from a colleague or client, but you can't access it because it's password-protected. Frustrating, isn't it? Fortunately, there are several methods to help you open a password-protected RAR file without the actual password.
Whether you're dealing with a forgotten password or trying to access a locked file, this comprehensive guide will walk you through various techniques for how to open locked RAR file without password without a hitch.
In this article, we'll explore different approaches, from using specialized software to leveraging online tools and even employing command-line utilities.
With step-by-step instructions and expert insights, you'll be well-equipped to learn how to open locked RAR files without a password.
So, let's dive in and unlock those files with ease!
In this article
How To Open Winrar Files Without Password?
If you find yourself in a situation where you need to open a password-protected RAR file but don't have the password, here's a quick reference table to help you choose the right method:
| Scenario | Recommended Method |
| You have access to the RAR file and want a reliable solution | Method 1: Open password-protected RAR Files with software |
| You prefer an online approach and don't mind sharing the file | Method 2: Open WinRAR files without password Via LostPass |
| You have basic technical skills and prefer a free solution | Method 3: Unlock Password Protected RAR Files with Notepad |
| You're comfortable with command-line tools | Method 4: Extract encrypted rar files with CMD |
So, now that you have a brief idea about how to open a RAR file without a password in different scenarios, let's discuss each method in detail.
Method 1: Open password-protected RAR Files with software
Using specialized software is one of the most reliable and effective ways to open encrypted RAR files without password. These tools are designed specifically for this purpose and offer a wide range of features and capabilities.
In this section, we'll explore three popular software options: PassFab for RAR, Passper for RAR, and KRyLack RAR Password Recovery. Here is a quick comparison table:
| Feature | PassFab for RAR | Passper for RAR | KRyLack RAR Password Recovery |
| Attack Modes | Brute-force, Dictionary, Mask | Brute-force, Dictionary, Mask | Brute-force, Dictionary, Mask |
| GPU Acceleration | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Batch Processing | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| User Interface | Intuitive GUI | Intuitive GUI | Basic GUI and CLI |
| Pricing | Paid | Paid | Free (Open-Source) |
#1 PassFab for RAR
PassFab for RAR is a powerful and user-friendly tool that can recover lost or forgotten passwords for RAR files.
Here's how to open a RAR file without password using PassFab:
Step 1: Install PassFab for RAR on your computer from the official website. Launch PassFab RAr recovery tool on your PC. Click "Add" to browse and select the password-protected RAR file(s) you want to unlock.
Step 2: Wait for the password recovery process to be finished. Once the password is found, PassFab for RAR will display it, allowing you to access the RAR file.
Simple, right? PassFab for RAR offers several advanced features, such as GPU acceleration for faster recovery, support for batch processing, and the ability to pause and resume the recovery process.
It's a comprehensive solution for unlocking password-protected RAR files, regardless of the complexity of the password.
#2 Passper for RAR
Passper for RAR is another powerful tool that can help you open password protected rar files.
It employs various attack modes, including brute force, dictionary, and mask attacks, to crack the password efficiently.
Here are some key features of Passper for RAR:
- Supports recovery of RAR, WinRAR, and 7-Zip passwords
- Offers multiple attack modes for different password complexity levels
- Supports batch processing for multiple RAR files
- Provides GPU acceleration for faster recovery
- Offers a user-friendly interface with detailed progress reports
#3 KRyLack RAR Password Recovery
KRyLack RAR Password Recovery is a free and open-source tool that can open encrypted RAR files without password. While it may not be as feature-rich as the paid options, it's a reliable solution for those on a budget or looking for a free alternative.
Key Features:
- Offers various attack modes, including brute-force, dictionary, and mask attacks, to recover passwords of different complexity levels.
- Supports batch processing, allowing users to recover passwords for multiple RAR files simultaneously.
Method 2: Open WinRAR files without Password Via LostMyPass
LostMyPass is an online service that can help you recover lost or forgotten passwords for various types of files, including WinRAR archives. It uses advanced techniques like dictionary attacks, mask attacks, and brute-force attacks to crack the password and unlock the file.
Here's how to open a RAR file without a password using LostPass:
Step 1: Visit the LostMyPass website. Upload the password-protected WinRAR file.
Step 2: Monitor the progress of the recovery process. LostMyPass will notify you via email or through the website interface when the password is successfully cracked.
Step 3: If the recovery is successful, LostMyPass will provide you with the password, allowing you to open and access the contents of the WinRAR file.
Method 3: Unlock Password Protected RAR Files with Notepad
Notepad is a common text editor that almost everyone is familiar with. You can use it to try and recover the password for a RAR file, but this method will only work if the password consists of numbers only.
While it's not guaranteed to work, it's still worth a try if you don't have any other information about the forgotten password.
Here's how to open a RAR file without a password using Notepad:
Step 1: Locate the encrypted RAR file in your file explorer. Right-click on the file, then select "Open with" and choose "Notepad" from the list of applications.
Step 2: Once the file opens in Notepad, use the "Edit" menu and select "Replace." In the "Find" field, enter "Ûtà" (without quotes), and in the "Replace with" field, enter "⁵³tà'" (without quotes). Click "Replace All."
Step 3: Next, repeat the process by entering "IžCO" in the "Find what" field and "IžCO" (without quotes) in the "Replace with" field. Click "Replace All" again.
Step 4: After making the replacements, save the modified file by going to "File" > "Save As." In the "Save as type" dropdown, select "All Files" and give the file a name with the ".bat" extension. For example, "unlock_rar.bat."
Using Notepad to decode passwords can be an effective method, especially if the password consists of only numbers. However, it's important to note that this technique may not work for all encrypted RAR files, particularly those with more complex passwords or advanced encryption algorithms.
Method 4: Extract encrypted rar files with CMD
If you're comfortable working with the command prompt (CMD) on Windows, you can use a command-line tool called cRARK to extract password-protected RAR files. cRARK uses brute force to crack open a RAR file with password.
Here's how to use it:
Step 1: Download the cRARk program from the official website.
Step 2: After downloading, extract the files to a folder on your computer. Find the Image named "password.def" and open it with Notepad.
Step 3: In Notepad, look for lines with ## at the start. Remove the ## from lines that match what you know about the password (like if it has numbers or lowercase letters). If you know part of the password, change a line to include that part. Save the changes to "password.def".
Step 4: Put the locked RAR file in the same folder as the Crack program files.
Step 5: Open the Command Prompt window for that folder. In the Command Prompt, type:
crark filenameyouwant.rar
(Replace "filenameyouwant.rar" with your actual RAR Image name.)
The program will now try to guess the password based on the rules you set. Keep in mind, it may take a long time if the password is very complex.
How to Recover Accidentally Deleted RAR Files?
In addition to opening password-protected RAR files, you may also find yourself in a situation where you've accidentally deleted an important RAR file.
Attempting to unlock RAR files using methods like the command prompt (CMD) or Notepad can be risky for computer novices, as improper usage may lead to data loss or corruption.
In such cases, a reliable data recovery solution like Wondershare Recoverit can be a lifesaver. Recoverit is a powerful and user-friendly data recovery tool that can help you recover various types of files, including RAR archives, from different storage devices and scenarios, such as accidental deletion, formatting, virus attacks, and even system crashes.
- Recover RAR files from over 500 data loss situations, such as deletion, formatting, and disk corruption.
- The user-friendly interface allows you to recover data in just a few clicks.
For computer novices or those who want to avoid the risks associated with manual methods, using Recoverit is a safer and more efficient approach to recover deleted RAR files.
Here's how to use Recoverit to recover deleted RAR files:
Step 1: Install Recoverit on your computer. Launch the program and select the location where the deleted RAR file(s) were stored (e.g., hard drive, external drive, or removable media).
Step 2: Once the scan is complete, Recoverit will display a list of recoverable files. You can even filter the search results based on file size, file type and so on.
Step 3: Preview the recovered RAR files to ensure they are the ones you want to restore.
Step 4: Select the desired RAR files and click "Recover" to save them to a safe location.
Recoverit offers several advanced features, such as deep scanning for better recovery chances, support for various file systems (NTFS, FAT, HFS+, and more), and the ability to recover data from various scenarios like formatted drives, system crashes, and partition loss.
Bonus Video Tutorial: How to Open Zip file cannot be Opened?
Conclusion
Dealing with password-protected RAR files can be frustrating, but with the methods outlined in this article, you now have multiple ways to unlock those files without the actual password.
Whether you prefer using specialized software, online services, command-line tools, or even a simple text editor, there's a solution to suit your needs and skill level.
When attempting to open password-protected files, always prioritize security and exercise caution, especially when using online services or modifying file headers. Additionally, it's essential to have a reliable data recovery solution, like Recoverit, in case you accidentally delete important RAR files.
Try Wondershare Recoverit to Recover Lost RAR Files
Security Verified. Over 7,302,189 people have downloaded it.
FAQ
-
Is it legal to open password-protected RAR files without the password?
The legality of opening password-protected RAR files without the password can be a gray area. It may be legal if you own the file or have permission from the owner. However, attempting to access files without authorization can be considered illegal in some cases. -
Can these methods recover the original password?
While some methods, like using specialized software or online hash cracking services, may reveal the original password, others, such as modifying the file header or using command-line tools, will simply remove the password protection without recovering the actual password. -
Are these methods guaranteed to work for all RAR files?
No, there is no guaranteed method that works for all password-protected RAR files. The success rate depends on various factors, such as the encryption algorithm used, the complexity of the password, and the specific version of the RAR file format.
