How to unrar a rar package in Linux Mint 19.1

Understanding RAR Files: A Concise Overview

Before diving into how to unrar (extract) RAR files on Linux Mint 19.1, it’s essential to understand what these files are and why they are commonly used. RAR (Roshal Archive) is a proprietary archive file format that supports data compression, error recovery, and file spanning. Developed by Eugene Roshal, RAR files are widely recognized for their efficiency in compressing large files into a more manageable size. This makes them popular for distributing large software packages, multimedia content, and more.

While Linux has a reputation for being less user-friendly than some operating systems, handling RAR files is quite straightforward with the right tools and knowledge.

Installing Necessary Tools

To manage RAR files on Linux Mint 19.1, you will need to install unrar, the command-line utility that allows you to extract RAR archives. Here’s how you can do it:

Using the Terminal

1. Open Terminal: You can quickly access the terminal by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T.

2. Update Package List: Before installing new software, it’s good practice to update your package list. Type the following command:
   bash
   sudo apt update

   You may be prompted to enter your password.

3. Install Unrar: Execute the following command to install the unrar package:
   bash
   sudo apt install unrar

4. Verify Installation: To check if unrar has been installed correctly, run:
   bash
   unrar

   This should display the unrar help documentation if the installation was successful.

Alternative: Installing RAR

In some cases, it may be beneficial to install the RAR utility alongside unrar. This allows you to create RAR files as well. To install RAR, use:
bash
sudo apt install rar

Extracting RAR Files

Once unrar is installed, you can easily extract RAR files using the command line or a graphical user interface (GUI).

Method 1: Using the Command Line

1. Navigate to the Directory: Use the cd command to change the directory to where your RAR file is located. For instance:
   bash
   cd ~/Downloads

2. Extract the RAR File: Run the following command:
   bash
   unrar x yourfile.rar

   Replace yourfile.rar with the actual name of your RAR file. The x command extracts files with full paths.

3. Check Extracted Files: Once the extraction is complete, you can use the ls command to list the files in your directory and verify that your files have been successfully extracted:
   bash
   ls

Method 2: Using a Graphical User Interface (GUI)

If you prefer not to use the terminal, you can opt for a GUI-based file manager. Here is a simple method using the default file manager in Linux Mint.

1. Open File Manager: Navigate to the folder containing your RAR file.

2. Install Archive Manager (if not already available): Most Linux Mint installations come with Archive Manager pre-installed. If not, you can install it via:
   bash
   sudo apt install file-roller

3. Extract Files:

   • Right-click on the RAR file.
   • Select Extract Here or open the RAR file, and you will see an option to extract.
   • The extracted files will appear in the same folder or a specified location.

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

Corrupted RAR Files

If you encounter issues extracting the RAR file, it’s possible that the file may be corrupted. Here are some steps to troubleshoot:

1. Check the file size: If the size of the RAR file is significantly smaller than expected, it might not have downloaded correctly. Try downloading it again.

2. Use the test Command: Unrar also allows you to test a RAR file for integrity before extraction:
   bash
   unrar t yourfile.rar

Password-Protected RAR Files

If the RAR file is password-protected, you will need to enter the password during extraction. After running the extraction command, you will be prompted to enter the password before proceeding.

Handling Multi-Volume RAR Files

Multi-volume RAR files (those split into several parts) require all parts to be in the same directory and properly named for extraction. The file names usually follow a pattern like file.part1.rar, file.part2.rar, etc.

To extract, simply run the unrar command on the first part:
bash
unrar x file.part1.rar

The utility automatically links the parts together for extraction.

Best Practices for Handling Archives

• Keep Your Tools Updated: Regularly update your installed tools and software to ensure compatibility with newer RAR formats.
• Maintain a Backup: Always keep an original copy of important archives to avoid data loss.
• Use Regularly Updated Sources: Only download RAR files from reputable sources to minimize the risk of malware.

Conclusion

Handling RAR files in Linux Mint 19.1 is a straightforward process with the unrar command-line tool or graphical options available. By following the instructions outlined in this article, you should be well-equipped to extract RAR files efficiently while also addressing common issues that may arise. With a combination of graphical tools and terminal commands, managing your files has never been easier.

FAQ

1. Can I extract RAR files without installing unrar?

Yes, some file managers or archive utilities installed on your system already support RAR files and can extract them without requiring unrar specifically.

2. Is there a way to create RAR files on Linux Mint?

Yes, by installing the rar package using the command sudo apt install rar, you can create RAR files directly from the command line.

3. Why does my extracted file show as corrupted?

This might happen if the original RAR file was corrupted or incomplete. Ensure you are working with a complete and verified RAR file.

4. Are there alternatives to RAR for compression?

Yes, alternatives include ZIP, 7z, and TAR.GZ. Tools like zip, 7zip, and tar are commonly available on Linux systems for these formats.

5. How can I view the contents of a RAR file without extracting it?

You can use unrar l yourfile.rar to list the contents of the RAR file without extracting it.

6. Can I extract RAR files on any linux distribution?

Yes, the unrar tool is compatible with most Linux distributions, and a similar command-line approach can be adopted across various systems.