How to open RAR and 7z files (Mac, Windows, Linux) and make a password-protected ZIP

Extract RAR, 7z, ZIP, TAR and ISO files and create password-protected ZIP or 7z archives — or just ask Claude to do it.

Free · no account · 3 free uses of every tool · also for Mac (Intel), Windows, Linux

macOS can’t open RAR or 7z files on its own, Windows’ built-in zip can’t add a password, and online “unzippers” want you to upload your files. These steps do it on your own computer.

Open a RAR, 7z or ZIP file

1. Download GUI Hub Essentials and open Zip & Unzip.
2. On Extract, pick the archive and a folder to unpack into.
3. If it has a password, type it in, then press Extract.

Existing files are never overwritten — new copies get a number unless you choose otherwise.

Make a ZIP with a password

1. Choose Create ZIP / 7z, add files or a folder.
2. Type a password. For ZIP you can pick AES-256 (strong) or Classic (weaker, but Windows Explorer opens it without extra software).
3. Press Create.

Peek inside first

See what’s inside lists the files without extracting; Check for damage tests a download or backup.

Ask your AI

With GUI Hub connected to Claude or Cursor: “Unzip the RAR in Downloads into a new folder” or “Zip my Tax 2025 folder with a password and save it on the Desktop.”

What powers it

7-Zip by Igor Pavlov (LGPL; RAR extraction under the unRAR licence), downloaded from its official GitHub release and verified before use.