What is wrong with opening .rar files using 23h2 file explorer?! (Build 22631.2861)

I think the recorded file is self-explanatory enough. I try to open a .rar file including a docx file. However, file explorer just shows a bunch of irrelevant files. I used extract all too, but it gives me the same result. Any thoughts?

Screen recorder file

Windows explorer does not open *.rar or *.docx files.
How exactly did you open them with windows explorer?

zebal said:

Windows explorer does not open *.rar or *.docx files.
How exactly did you open them with windows explorer?

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Since 23h2 it supports rar files. But it is limited in features. I didn't open docx with file explorer, I just archived a docx file and tried to extract it, but it just extracts bunch of useless files. I don't have any problem with other file types.

Interesting, didn't know it's possible to open rar files with windows explorer.
I just tested opening one of my rar files but win. explorer is having issues, I see it start something but it doesn't open them.

I suppose MS didn't test their implementation well enough.

On the latest Canary version just tested extract all on a .rar file and it worked.

That's interesting. docx files are just fancy zip files, and what Explorer is showing you, when you open the rar, is the contents of the docx as if it were a zip file. As a test, make a copy of the original docx file, and change the extension to zip. Open that zip, and you'll see the same thing that is in your screen recording.

Explorer's built-in functionality for rar, 7z, etc. definitely leaves a lot to be desired. It lets me down on 7z files all the time.

And the score is...
Microsoft, zero... 7-Zip, 89453674267067045679058769457621907869

Ghot said:

And the score is...
Microsoft, zero... 7-Zip, 89453674267067045679058769457621907869

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LOL.
I have always questioned what reasons could there be for MS to overthrow 3rd party programs by making their own "built-in" equivalent.
Why do they strive to reinvent the wheel instead of focusing on Windows which always has room to improve and to fix bugs.

I'm only speculating but I suspect there are several criteria's involved, all of which are security related.
Things like:
1. Does it lack digital certificate and a lot of users use it?
2. Does it require elevation and a lot of users use it?
3. Is it in our PUP database and a lot of users use it?
etc..

If to one or multiple of these questions the answer is yes then MS will reinvent the wheel in the name of reducing attack surface on their system.
Just my observation...

All I know is that 7zip can open anything.
It can even open jelly jars with tight lids.

pseymour said:

That's interesting. docx files are just fancy zip files, and what Explorer is showing you, when you open the rar, is the contents of the docx as if it were a zip file. As a test, make a copy of the original docx file, and change the extension to zip. Open that zip, and you'll see the same thing that is in your screen recording.

Explorer's built-in functionality for rar, 7z, etc. definitely leaves a lot to be desired. It lets me down on 7z files all the time.

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Yes, it is a nice practice. I didn't know docx is a zipped file. What i did is that i extract all the contents using file explorer then i zipped them all and changed .zip to .docx Finally it got me the original file without any changes.

Fabler2 said:

On the latest Canary version just tested extract all on a .rar file and it worked.

Click to expand...

So at least Microsoft is aware of this issue.

Which version of WinRar are you using? I tried raring a .docx file with both versions 6.23 and a very old version I had (for test purposes), and I got the same behaviour as you with the older version (where it showed all the components of the .docx file), whilst with the one rared with 6.23, I got the expected behaviour (where it showed just the .docx file).

das10 said:

Which version of WinRar are you using? I tried raring a .docx file with both versions 6.23 and a very old version I had (for test purposes), and I got the same behaviour as you with the older version (where it showed all the components of the .docx file), whilst with the one rared with 6.23, I got the expected behaviour (where it showed just the .docx file).

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That's interesting . I have the latest version (6.24).

Personally use winrar, Just had plenty of mods for games that 7 zip cant do, Winrar does all as far as im concerned, I've used the windows built in one a good few times over the past few months or so but found it similar in capabilities to 7 zip if not worse. lemme know where the file is if possible and il try it on my end

winrar is not free.

zebal said:

winrar is not free.

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Have a look at this article,

Fabler2 said:

Have a look at this article

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That's something new, I haven't use winrar since long time ago, usually licence key was needed to unlock it.
thanks for sharing!

WinRAR’s EULA makes no distinction about commercial use.

“The software is distributed as try before you buy. This means that anyone may use the software during a test period of a maximum of 40 days at no charge. Following this test period, the user must purchase a license to continue using the software.”

pseymour said:

WinRAR’s EULA makes no distinction about commercial use.

“The software is distributed as try before you buy. This means that anyone may use the software during a test period of a maximum of 40 days at no charge. Following this test period, the user must purchase a license to continue using the software.”

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Even tho for about 10 plus years it tells you that, click close and continue to use in a personal environment Worst paywall i've ever seen, There isn't one but it says there is lol

ShamrockRig said:

click close

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Ah so you have to dismiss annoying window every time?
Are there ads if you use it as free user? or anything annoying specific to free user in the program?