Convert ISO to RAR

Converting ISO to RAR

Converting an ISO (commonly used as disk image format; something like a copy of a CD or DVD disk) file to an RAR compressed archive is quite easy. Both are quite similar formats and contain other files inside.

There are two options; just compressing the .iso file to the .rar archive or extracting the contents of the .iso file and then compressing it to the .rar archive. Both are easy.

Extract or compress the .iso file using WinRAR

WinRAR is one of the most popular file compression software. It is not a conversion between file formats, just using WinRar to compress the .iso file. Download and install WinRAR. Locate the ISO file on your computer and use the command in the top menu - Add to the archive to compress the file or Open the .iso file to extract the contents of ISO disk image file and then use WinRAR to compress it back to the .rar archive. Both ways can WinRAR do.

Extracting the .iso file to a folder and then creating a .rar arhive from it

AnyToISO

AnytoISO is software that can convert ISO files to numerous other formats, including RAR. It is quite easy to use and supports batch conversion.

1. Download and install AnyToISO.
2. Open the program and click on the Open image.
3. Select RAR as the output format.
4. Click on Convert to start the conversion process.
5. This will create a RAR archive with the contents of .iso disk image file.

PowerISO

PowerISO is also a great tool for converting ISO files to RAR format. 

1. Download, install, and run PowerISO.
2. Click on the Open button and open your .iso file.
3. Click on the Convert and select RAR as the output format.

There are several ways you can convert ISO disk images to RAR archives, with the most obvious choice being to repack an pack it with WinRAR/WinZip. 

Mounting the .iso file as another disk in your computer

If you just want the content from ISO and do not need the .iso file itself, you can mount it (Windows from version 8 can mount easily .iso file as an external drive) as an external drive copy. Then you can pack all files to the RAR archive using WinRar as if you want to compress any files in your computer.