Windows will get native support for RAR files and controls for RGB lighting

If you are a user of Windows, you probably know the hassle of dealing with RAR files. Unlike ZIP archives, which are natively supported by Windows, RAR archives require a with from third parties to extract or create them. This can be inconvenient and time-consuming, especially if you work with many compressed files.

But that's about to change soon. Microsoft has announced that Windows will get native support for RAR files in an upcoming update. This means that you will be able to open, extract and create RAR files directly from Windows Explorer, without the need for any additional software. You will also be able to use Windows' built-in compression tool to create RAR files with various options such as encryption, password protection, and volume splitting.

This is a welcome feature for many Windows users, who have been requesting native RAR support for a long time. It will also make Windows more compatible with other platforms, such as Linux and macOS, which already have native RAR support.

Another feature that Microsoft has announced is the ability to control the RGB lighting of your PC and peripherals from Windows settings. RGB lighting is a popular trend among PC enthusiasts, who like to customize the colors and effects of their hardware components and accessories. However, until now, RGB lighting required separate software from different manufacturers, which could be confusing and inconsistent.

Microsoft wants to simplify this process by integrating RGB lighting controls into Windows settings. You'll be able to adjust the brightness, color and pattern of your RGB lighting from one place and sync them between your devices. You'll also be able to create profiles and presets for different scenarios, such as gaming, work, or entertainment.

This feature will work with any PC or peripheral that supports RGB lighting, regardless of brand or model. Microsoft says it has partnered with several hardware manufacturers to ensure compatibility and performance. You'll also be able to use voice commands or keyboard shortcuts to change the RGB lighting on the fly.

These features are expected to roll out in the next major Windows update, scheduled for early next year. Microsoft says it is listening to user feedback and wants to make Windows easier to use and customizable. We look forward to trying these new features and seeing how they improve our Windows experience.

Windows 11 will soon offer native support for compressed files and RGB lighting controls, according to Panos Panay, Microsoft's chief product officer. In a blog post summarizing the Build conference announcements, Panay revealed some of the new features that will improve the Windows 11 user experience.

One of them is the ability to open and compress various archive formats, such as tar, 7-zip, rar, gz and others, without the need for third-party applications such as WinRAR. Panay said this feature is based on the open source libarchive project and will provide improved performance of the archive functionality on Windows. Microsoft told The Verge that this feature will be available in a preview version of Windows later this week.

Another feature Panay mentioned is the Dynamic Lighting app, which will allow users to easily configure and customize the RGB lighting on their PC accessories from Windows Settings. Panay said that currently many of these accessories rely on third-party apps and integrations that are not consistent. With Dynamic Lighting, Windows users will have a unified and simple way to control the RGB lights on their devices. Panay did not specify when this feature will be released, but it was previously spotted in a Windows Insider Preview in February.