Windows 11 Update Unleashes Native File Format Support e.g RAR, 7-Zip

 Windows users are well-acquainted with the RAR and 7-Zip file formats, which enable file compression to reduce their sizes. Most Windows users typically have third-party applications like WinRar installed to access RAR files. However, this necessity is now changing. Earlier this year, Microsoft announced new features for Windows 11, including built-in RAR support, and they are now rolling out this feature as part of a Windows update.

In October, Microsoft released an optional KB5031455 Preview Cumulative Update Preview for Windows 11 Version 22H2. According to reports, this update introduces support for 11 additional file archive formats, such as .rar, .7z, .tar, .tar.gz, .tar.bz2, .tar.zst, .tar.xz, .tgz, .tbz2, .tzst, and .txz.

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With native support for archive file formats like RAR and 7-Zip, Windows users will no longer require third-party apps like WinRAR to manage compressed files. To install this optional update, users can navigate to Windows 11 Settings and click on the 'Windows Update' button in the Home or System menu. If your system hasn't received the update yet, you'll see a message that reads: "2023-10 Cumulative Update Preview for Windows 11 Version 22H2 for x64-based Systems (KB5031455) is now available."

Click "Download & install" to obtain the update, which adds support for archive file formats, including RAR. Once Windows is updated, users will be able to open, extract, and modify archive files without relying on third-party tools.

Back in May, Microsoft initially disclosed that Windows would gain native RAR support along with a host of new features. Windows 11 was slated to offer support for various archive formats, including TAR (Tape Archive), 7-zip, RAR (Roshal Archive), GZ (Gzip), and more.

Microsoft also revealed that Windows 11 would feature support for accessing app instances in the taskbar with a simple click, the ability to hide the date and time, and the option to shut down apps directly from the taskbar, eliminating the need for the Windows Task Manager.

In September, Microsoft updated Windows to include its AI-powered Copilot assistant, enhancing Bing Chat with capabilities like generating web page summaries, toggling system controls, and providing text and image-based responses to user queries.

Furthermore, recent information suggests that Microsoft might be preparing to launch Windows 12 in the coming year. According to a transcript from a fireside chat at the Citi 2023 Global Technology Conference, Intel CFO David Zinsner quoted 2024 as the potential release year for Windows 12, indicating that 2024 could be a significant year for client technology due to the Windows refresh.

Windows 11 was introduced in 2021 and currently runs on over 400 million monthly active devices, with expectations of reaching 500 million active devices by 2024.