WinRAR
5.71
Size: 1.9 MB
Downloads: 197007
Platform: Windows (All Versions)
It was back in 1995 that the file archiver and data compression tool WinRAR was released to the public. Many years have passed and the tool has become better and better and built up a reputation for a properly good software application, a must have for any computer user. It is quite simple to explain what sort of functionality WinRAR offers: you can use the application to create archives and you can use it to extract data from archives. This comes in handy when you want to save space (archive data so it takes up less space) and when you download archives from the web (data is archived so it takes less time for the download to complete).
Speaking about that, it will take very little time to download the WinRAR installation file as it’s only 1.4MB large. Going through the steps presented by the setup wizard will also take little of your time. The aforementioned 1.4MB installation file is the 32-bit Windows edition of WinRAR; there’s a 64-bit edition as well, many localized versions, and there are versions for Mac OS X and Linux as well. While the size of these installation files varies, they are all smaller than 2MB.
On the WinRAR's interface you will find nice large buttons at the top for all the application’s main functions: Add (create archive), Extract to (select where you want to extract the contents of an archive), Test (test an archive), and several other buttons. The one that novices will like the most is the Wizard button – it launches a wizard that lets you do three tasks efficiently and rapidly: unpack an existing archive, create a new archive, or add files to an existing archive.
Support for a lot of compression formats is provided by WinRAR: RAR, ZIP, CAB, ARJ, LZH, ACE, TAR, GZip, UUE, ISO, BZIP2, JAR, Z and 7-Zip. During the installation process, you will be asked if you want to associate WinRAR with these formats; associating WinRAR with them means that when you access a CAB archive, for example, it will be opened with WinRAR.
As mentioned above, you can create an archive using the user friendly WinRAR Wizard. It must be mentioned that WinRAR integrates with Windows Explorer, meaning that you can create an archive just by right clicking a file or folder. You will see several WinRAR options in the right click context menu when you select a file or folder.
If someone sends you an archive, or if you download an archive from the web, you can easily extract it with WinRAR. The application takes a no-nonsense approach to archiving data and to extracting archived data.
Putting the spotlight on the visual side of things, some of you may not like the default look. If this is the case, then you will be glad to know that WinRAR supports themes and that there are various themes available for download (go to Options -> Themes -> Get more themes).
And putting the spotlight on security now, it must be mentioned that you can password protect archives and it must also be mentioned that WinRAR integrates with virus scanners.
Please note that WinRAR is shareware, which means you can use the data compression tool free of charge for a trial period of 40 days.
Its long list of features, its ease of use, and its data compression capabilities, all these make WinRAR a must have for any computer user.
Pros
The user friendly interface that can be customized with themes is accompanied by a handy Wizard. Easily extract data from archives and create archives. Create self extracting archives, password protect archives. Provides support for a long list of compression formats. It integrates with Windows Explorer. There’s an option to turn the PC off when WinRAR is done. WinRAR is available for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux.
Cons
Free to use only for an evaluation period of 40 days.
WinRAR
5.71
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WinRAR Awards
WinRAR Editor’s Review Rating
WinRAR has been reviewed by George Norman on 09 May 2012. Based on the user interface, features and complexity, Findmysoft has rated WinRAR 5 out of 5 stars, naming it Essential