Forgetting the password to anything can be devastating, especially your RAR files. If you have been in the unfortunate predicament of forgetting the password to your RAR files before, you know to reset or unlocking that password is not only challenging but nearly impossible and the countless hacks available sometimes aren’t that helpful. Nevertheless, knowing how to unlock your WinRAR password will prove vital if you ever realize you forgot the password to one of these zipped files.
Where Can I Find My WinRAR Password?
According to the company that develops the file keeping software, there are no backdoors for lost or forgotten passwords, nor does the company have any way to retrieve your password if you forgot it, so in that regard, you are on your own.
The company has also advised that they have no affiliation with any password-cracking software and therefore cannot recommend any.
So, unless you wrote your WinRAR passwords down, saved them to another document, or had a sudden epiphany about what it could be –– maybe your date of birth? then you’re out of luck and hopefully can use one of the ways highlighted below on how to unlock WinRAR Passwords.
How To Unlock WinRAR Password: 3 Ways
Start with your saved passwords, the file’s owner and accessible backups. These options do not guarantee recovery, but they avoid the false promise of removing encryption with a simple file edit.
Method #1: Test Frequently Used Passwords
The easiest way to get into your WinRAR folder is to test a number of your most frequently used passwords.
Step 1: Extract the File and Save to a Different Location
Open the WinRAR you’re attempting to extract. Go to “Extract to” on the left side of the screen and select a new location you would like to store the password-free file.
Step 2: Test One Frequently Used Passwords at a Time
Write down a few (six to nine) of your most frequently used passwords and begin testing each of them. Be sure you write them down, as you can track which ones you have tested and which one is a success if any.
Step 3: Check Extracted Location
After each try, check the location where you saved the non-password protected WinRAR. If you succeed in using one password, you can try using the same password on other WinRAR files if you have forgotten the password.
Method #2: Try a Third-Party Password Cracking App
This is a risky option as the company that develops WinRAR doesn’t recommend or endorse any third-party password cracking software. However, if you are willing to take the risk to access your files, follow the steps below.
Step 1: Visit The Website of One a Reputable Third-Party RAR Password Unlocker
There aren’t that many reputable third-party RAR password unlockers, but you can start by searching some online or asking for recommendations on various forums, ensuring that the ones you use do not require any fee to download or use.
Some recovery tools test candidate passwords using dictionaries, guessed patterns or brute-force combinations. These methods are not guaranteed to succeed, and a strong password may be impractical to recover.
Step 2: Download The Software
If you are satisfied that the software is safe to download, you can proceed to download it.
Step 3: Select The File You Want to Unlock
Try Extracting your WinRAR file using the software you’ve downloaded. You may need to try a few RAR password unlockers before you have any success.
Why Notepad Cannot Remove a WinRAR Password
Editing an encrypted RAR file in Notepad does not remove its password and may damage the archive. WinRAR’s encryption has no password-reset backdoor. The safe steps below can help you preserve the file while looking for the correct password.
Step 1: Keep the Original Archive
Keep an unchanged copy of your RAR file before trying any recovery or troubleshooting steps.
Step 2: Check Saved Passwords
Look in your password manager, saved notes or the original message that supplied the archive for the correct password.
If someone sent you the file, ask them for the password or an accessible copy.
Step 3: Use a Valid Password or Backup
Extract the archive with the correct password, or restore an accessible backup. Changing a few characters in the archive cannot decrypt its contents.
Bonus Method: Ask The Original File Owner
If the WinRAR file you’re trying to open isn’t yours. Contact the owner of the file and ask them what the password is or if they could send the extracted version that is password-free. This will save you the headache of trying to guess, download software, or use brute force attacks to access the information zipped away.
Never Forget Your RAR Password Again with This #1 Tip
The reason you forget your password is the reason most people do: it’s not supposed to be easy to crack or guess, which means if you haven’t opened your WinRAR file in some time, you probably won’t be able to remember the password you’ve used.
Use a Unique Password and Save It
Create a long, unique password and save it in a trusted password manager. This makes it easier to find the password later without relying on personal details or a predictable formula.
Avoid names, birthdays, family dates and other information that someone could guess.
Keep a backup of important files and store recovery information securely. A backup is useful only if you can still access it.
If you forget a password, check your saved records first. WinRAR cannot reset the password or retrieve the contents of a properly encrypted archive for you.
Although several hacks are floating around on the internet about how to unlock WinRAR passwords, the best hack would be not to forget your password in the first place. This approach saves you the headache of guessing and hoping you will be able to get into your WinRAR file.