Why can’t I send RAR files and 7z archives by email?
These archives are designed to hold a lot of content. Gmail does not accept attachments over 25 MB, and Outlook does not accept attachments over about 20 MB. Even below those limits, some mailboxes hold RAR and 7z attachments for security reasons. The message may be held without notice.
Opening the archive is another issue. Windows 10 opens ZIP files without additional software. RAR and 7z need separate software. Current versions of Windows 11 can open some of them. Not every computer has that support. An email attachment does not include the software needed to open it. Neither does a link. The file is simply downloaded.
The file the recipient downloads should be the same archive you uploaded.
| Method | What happens | Suitability for RAR and 7z |
|---|---|---|
| Gmail or Outlook attachment | Size limits apply, and some mailboxes hold attachments | Not suitable |
| Convert to ZIP and attach | You handle the conversion; attachment limits still apply | Not enough for large files |
| Split across several emails | The archive will not open if one part is missing | Not suitable |
| Shared drive | The file may stay available, but the recipient may need an account | Use with care |
| SendGB link | The archive is not extracted or sent as an attachment | Suitable for delivery |
The example above is a backup package: a 7z camera archive, RAR documents, drawings, fonts, and a short note. If the recipient can only open ZIP files, see the guide to sending ZIP files. We do not convert files to ZIP.
Should I convert to ZIP or send the archive as is?
Converting can make things easier for the recipient. You do this yourself before sending. We do not convert RAR or 7z to ZIP. When you send the archive as is, the file names, folders, and the archive’s own password are preserved.
If not everyone needs to be able to open it, do not convert it. 7z often keeps the same file smaller than ZIP does. Conversion may increase the size and leave you hitting the attachment limit again.
| Copy converted to ZIP | RAR or 7z sent as is | |
|---|---|---|
| Who can open it | Many computers can open ZIP files | Password-protected and multipart files may need separate software |
| Size | Often increases | Stays the same |
| Archive password | Must be set again in the new file | Preserved |
| What we do | We do not convert it | We do not change the file |
These files cannot be opened on the download page. The recipient downloads them and opens them in their own software. We do not scan for viruses. If the archive contains an executable file, the recipient’s computer may show a warning.
How do I send a multipart archive?
The old approach is to split an archive into parts and attach them to separate emails. If one part lands in spam, the rest are useless. Missing parts have a greater impact on 7z archives. Because the files are compressed together, a missing part in the middle may prevent the rest from opening.
| File | Purpose | If missing |
|---|---|---|
Single .rar or .7z | The entire archive | The file was not sent |
.part1.rar, .part2.rar | Sequential parts of a RAR archive | It will not open if one is missing |
.7z.001, .7z.002 | Sequential parts of a 7z archive | Often none of it will open if one is missing |
.rev recovery file | Your recovery backup | We do not use it to repair the archive |
Add all parts to the same upload box. We do not combine them. The simpler option is not to split the archive. You can also send a folder. See the guide to sending folders for details. The structure stays intact when the recipient downloads the entire transfer.
The transfer password is separate from the archive’s own password. You can use both. Send the password separately from the link.
Is 5 GB enough for an archive?
5 GB is often enough for a single backup. It may not be enough for raw footage or years of backups. The limit applies to the total size, not the number of parts. We do not guarantee how many files you can send.
| What you are sending | Typical size | Which option is enough |
|---|---|---|
| Small document archive | Often tens of MB | Free, no sign-up, up to 90 days |
| Camera or drawing backup | Hundreds of MB, sometimes 1–3 GB | Free |
| Several RAR and 7z archives together | May approach 5 GB | Free if they fit |
| Large project or disk backup | May be tens of GB | SendGB Extra, 500 GB per transfer |
| Archive over 500 GB | One transfer | SendGB Exceed, up to 1 TB |
SendGB Extra starts at €29.90 per year. It includes 1 TB of storage. SendGB Extra keeps files for up to 1 year. It is suitable for frequent transfers of large packages.
SendGB Exceed does not require a membership. A 1 TB transfer costs €9.99. The code can be used once and is valid for 1 year. The link stays available for 7 days. It is enough for an occasional very large archive.
If you enter your email address, you receive one notification when downloading starts. With email delivery, you are notified once per recipient. With link delivery, you are notified once per transfer. If the same person downloads again, you do not receive another email. The notification does not confirm that the download finished.
How to send
- 1
Add your archive
Add your RAR or 7z file to the upload box on the home page. For a multipart archive, add every part to the same transfer. The free limit is 5 GB total.
- 2
Send the link
Email the link to the recipient or copy and paste it into a message. If you add a password, send the password separately from the link. If you enter your email address, you receive one notification when downloading starts.
- 3
The recipient downloads the archive
The recipient downloads from the link and does not create an account. RAR and 7z archives cannot be opened on the download page. The recipient downloads the file and opens it in their own software. Free transfers over 250 MB stay available for 7 days. Free transfers up to 250 MB stay available for up to 90 days. SendGB Extra keeps files for up to 1 year.
What happens to your file?
- RAR and 7z archives are not extracted or converted to ZIP. The archive’s own password is preserved.
- Each part is sent as a separate file. We do not replace missing parts.
- If you add a folder, you do not have to archive it. Its structure stays intact when the recipient downloads everything.
- If you enter your email address, you receive one notification when someone starts downloading.
What we don’t do
- We do not repair archives. We do not scan for viruses or combine archive parts.
- RAR and 7z archives cannot be opened on the download page. The recipient needs software on their computer to open them.
- A download notification does not confirm that the entire file was downloaded. If the same person downloads again, you do not receive a second email.
- There is no Gmail or Outlook add-on. You paste the link yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Are RAR or 7z archives extracted during transfer?
No. SendGB does not inspect the archive’s contents, convert it to ZIP, or repack it. The file is downloaded exactly as you uploaded it.
Can the recipient open the archive on Windows?
Windows 10 opens ZIP files. It needs separate software for RAR and 7z. Current versions of Windows 11 can open some RAR and 7z files. Older Windows versions, many work computers, and some Macs still need 7-Zip, WinRAR, or similar software. We do not provide that software. Password-protected, multipart, or unusual archives may not open. If everyone needs to be able to open your files, [sending a ZIP file](/send-large-files/send-large-zip-files) may be easier. We do not convert files to ZIP.
How do I get around Gmail’s 25 MB limit?
Do not attach the archive to an email. RAR and 7z archives quickly exceed this limit. Some mailboxes also hold archive attachments for security reasons. Create a transfer and paste the short link. The file is not included in the message.
Can I share multipart RAR archives?
Yes. Upload the parts as separate files to send them all. These include `.part1.rar`, `.part2.rar`, `.r00`, or `.7z.001`, `.7z.002`. We do not combine them. If one part is missing, the recipient cannot open the archive. Send a single file or folder instead of splitting it.
Why can one missing part make an entire 7z archive unusable?
7z often compresses files together so they depend on one another. If a part in the middle is missing, the rest may not open either. This is how the archive itself is structured. We do not replace missing parts. All parts must be in the same transfer.
Do you repair damaged archives?
No. If you also upload a recovery file, it is downloaded as a separate file. We do not repair the archive. Open and test your working copy before sending it.
Is the archive password the same as the transfer password?
No. A RAR or 7z archive has its own password. We do not know it or remove it. You can also add a password to the transfer. Send the password separately from the link.
Do you scan for viruses?
No. We do not inspect the archive’s contents. If it contains an executable file, the recipient’s computer may still show a warning. We do not remove that warning.
Will I be notified when the recipient starts downloading?
Yes, if you enter your email address. With email delivery, you are notified once per recipient. With link delivery, you are notified once per transfer. The notification tells you that downloading has started. It does not confirm that the entire file was downloaded. If the same person downloads again, you do not receive another email. If you use link delivery without entering an email address, you receive no notification.
Which option should I choose if 5 GB is not enough?
A single backup often fits within 5 GB. Free transfers over 250 MB stay available for 7 days. Free transfers up to 250 MB stay available for up to 90 days. A larger package needs SendGB Extra: 500 GB per transfer, 1 TB of storage, starting at €29.90 per year, with files kept for up to 1 year. For a single archive over 500 GB, SendGB Exceed is enough: no membership, €9.99 for a 1 TB transfer, and a single-use code valid for 1 year. The link stays available for 7 days.
Send a download link instead of attaching a RAR or 7z file to an email
A single archive may fit within 5 GB. For larger packages, SendGB Extra supports up to 500 GB, and SendGB Exceed supports up to 1 TB in a single transfer.
Start sending