How to Unrar Files and Keep Access Timestamps

This guide explains how to extract RAR archives while preserving original file access timestamps using the command-line unrar utility. By default, extracting an archive sets the access time (atime) of extracted files to the moment of extraction. Using the -ts switch allows you to override this behavior and restore the exact access timestamps saved inside the archive.

Prerequisites

For access timestamps to be restored, they must have been saved into the RAR archive at the time of compression (typically using rar a -tsa archive.rar files). If the archive does not contain access time metadata, the system defaults to the current time upon extraction.

Command Syntax

To extract files and restore their original last access timestamps, use the x (extract with full paths) command combined with the -tsa switch:

unrar x -tsa archive.rar

To extract to a specific destination folder:

unrar x -tsa archive.rar /path/to/destination/

Preserving All Timestamps

If you need to restore all original time attributes—including modification, creation, and last access times—use the -ts switch without specifying a sub-parameter:

unrar x -ts archive.rar

Switch Breakdown

  • x: Extracts files with their original directory tree intact.
  • -tsa: Restores the last access time stored in the archive.
  • -tsm: Restores the modification time (enabled by default).
  • -tsc: Restores the creation time (primarily used on Windows/NTFS).
  • -ts: Restores all available timestamps (modification, creation, and access) with maximum precision.

Verifying File Timestamps

On Linux and macOS, verify that the access time was preserved by inspecting the extracted file with the stat command:

stat filename.ext

Look for the Access: field to confirm the date and time match the archive's original metadata.