How can I split files into Multivolume RAR Archives?

 

WinRAR can create an archive consisting of several files.

These archives are called multivolume archives and the individual files inside these archives are known as volumes. Generally, volumes are used to store large amounts of data on removable disks, or to transfer data by email.

If you want to compress and split your file(s), you can select the desired volume size in the "Split to volumes" field in the archive name and parameters dialog under the general tab.

 

split to multivolume rar archive

By default, the size of the split volumes is entered in bytes, but if you add a lowercase letter 'k' at the end of the volume size, the entered value will be considered as kilobytes (multiplied by 1024).

Use an uppercase 'K' to denote thousands of bytes (multiply by 1000), 'm' means megabytes and 'M' - millions of bytes.

It is also possible to select the volume size from the list associated with this item. Note that if you are archiving to a removable disk, you may select "Autodetect" from the list and WinRAR will choose the volume size automatically for each new volume.

For multiple CD's you can enter for example "700m" for 700MB CD's. WinRAR creates a multi-volume archive (volname.part001.rar, volname.part002.rar, etc.) All volumes are 700MB but the last volume may be smaller.

After this, you can burn the volumes on CD or DVD or save it on a USB stick.

Some burning programs have a special test mode with which you can determine the maximum capacity of CD blanks, so you can enter the maximum size for the volumes.

To unpack these volumes, you should start the extraction from the first volume. Select "Process all files in all volumes from the current" in the menu that appears.

If volumes are stored on non-removable media like a hard disk, you need to put all volumes into the same folder before starting the extraction.

unpack extract multivolume rar archive part

To repack a single RAR or ZIP archive into multivolume archives, please use the convert function in the WinRAR tools menu.

It is impossible to add, update or delete files in already existing volumes. You can only create a new volume set.

Starting from version 3.40, WinRAR stores the volume number inside the RAR files. You can see this number at the top of the "Show information" dialog if you apply the Show information command to the volume. This number may be useful if the original volume names are lost and you need to restore the correct names manually.

 

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