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Open or decompress a wide range of files including rar and zip formats

Open or decompress a wide range of files including rar and zip formats

Vote: (199 votes)

Program license: Trial version

Developer: Rarlab

Version: 6.22

Works under: Windows

Vote:

Program license

(199 votes)

Trial version

Developer

Version

Rarlab

6.22

Works under:

Windows

Pros

  • Compression rate is quite swift
  • Supports 15 of the most popular file formats
  • Integrates with a variety of other programs
  • Great encryption protocol for sensitive files

Cons

  • The interface is pretty bare bones
  • Advertsements for the paid version appear regularly

WinRAR is an application that allows you to interact with compressed files. You can open up, decompress, and even create .zip files. As the name implies, WinRAR can also be used to handle files with the .rar extension. Many publishers compress their files to save space and reduce download times. WinRAR is the perfect solution for easily opening up these files whenever you download one.

The Benefits of WinRAR

A majority of files you download online will be compressed. Keeping your files condensed allows you to make the most of your hard drive space. It is also common courtesy to compress any files you upload for others. WinRAR allows you to easily compress and unzip any file you choose. For more secure files, you can set up a password using the built-in 256-bit AES encryption algorithm. This ensures that only those with the password will be able to view and interact with that file.

It even has support for the newer RAR5 format. RAR5 is a huge improvement over RAR as the compression rate is even faster. WinRAR has some of the widest compatibility of any compression software. It supports RAR, ZIP, 7-Zip, ACE, BZ2, ARJ, LHZ, GZip, UHE, JAR, CAB, TAR, ISO, XZ, and Z file formats. If any additional file extensions become popular, then you can rest assured that WinRAR will update their program to include it.

Easy and Responsive

With WinRAR on your side, opening compressed files is a breeze. There is a bar at the top of the window that lists all of the basic functions. You can open the configuration wizard, scan for viruses, add files, or create a self-extracting file with a single click. To decompress any file, you need only right-click on it. From there, you can click on the extract file option on the dropdown list. The cool part is that you don't even need WinRAR actively running to take advantage of this feature. If WinRAR is open, you will see all of your recent files. Just double-click on the file and it will automatically decompress.

Compressing files of your own is just as easy. You can right-click anywhere on the screen and select a new WinRAR archive. Then, click on the file in question and select add to the archive. If you want the file to decompress on its own, you just have to select that option from the bar at the top of the window. If you are browsing the web with internet explorer, you can use the handy integration to compress or decompress files with one click. It also has integration with many antivirus programs. This helps keep your computer safe from malicious files.

THe Bottom Line

WinRAR is an incredibly simple way to handle file compression. With the vast array of compressed files on the web, it is vital to have a way to open these files without hassle. The good news is that the free version of WinRAR is all you will need to access your downloaded files. You can safely avoid the paid version of this app and be just fine.

Pros

  • Compression rate is quite swift
  • Supports 15 of the most popular file formats
  • Integrates with a variety of other programs
  • Great encryption protocol for sensitive files

Cons

  • The interface is pretty bare bones
  • Advertsements for the paid version appear regularly

Pros

  • Major Format Support
  • Great Compression Ratio
  • Antivirus Integration
  • File Password Protection

Cons

  • Old UI
  • RAR5 Files Require WinRAR

WinRAR is a piece of software designed to compress and expand files from certain archival formats, and this version is made with 64-bit architecture. That means it's fully compatible with 64-bit Windows systems. WinRAR has gone through a number of updates during its time, and this newest update includes support for a brand new archiving algorithm that creates RAR5 files.

As your computer gets older, it will invariably collect files that take up space on the system hard drive. WinRAR takes these files and uses digital compression to make them smaller, thus freeing up valuable hard drive space. The software can compress files into one of three formats, including ZIP, RAR, and RAR5. RAR5 is the newest archival format, and it provides an improved compression rate over both RAR and ZIP.

If you need to keep any compressed files protected from intrusion, you can use the integrated password protection feature to provide 256-bit AES encryption to the file. If you want to make files that can be expanded without the need for WinRAR to unzip them, the software can be used to produce self-extracting files. To decompress this sort of file, you only need to double-click the file icon.

WinRAR can also decompress archival files from 15 available formats, including 7-Zip, ZIP, RAR, CAB, ISO, JAR, TAT, XZ, ARJ, and ACE. Using the options menu, you can customization just about any facet of the software.

Near the top of the WinRAR app interface is a function bar that links you to all the main functions of the software. These include Virus Scan, Wizard, Self-Extracting File Creation, and Archive File Editing.

If you have a compressed file you want to open, all you have to do is right-click on it and select Extract File from the menu. The software will ask you for a destination for the content. You can also decompress files directly through the WinRAR software by double-clicking the file to be expanded.

Creating a new archival file is a bit more difficult, however. From inside the app window, right-click the mouse to reveal an action menu. Find the option that says New/WinRAR Archive, right-click the file to be compressed, then choose Add To Archive. If you want the final archival file to be able to extract itself, find the Self-Extracting option in the UI and select it before you hit OK.

From the context menu of Windows Explorer, you can use WinRAR to perform single-click file compression and expansion. Unfortunately, the app's overall aesthetic design is a bit outdated, and it hasn't received an update in quite some time.

This version of the software is compatible with Windows XP, Vista, 7, and 8. It works with both 64-bit and 32-bit platforms, and it takes advantage of antivirus integration for optimal protection.

Pros

  • Major Format Support
  • Great Compression Ratio
  • Antivirus Integration
  • File Password Protection

Cons

  • Old UI
  • RAR5 Files Require WinRAR