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Softonic review

Swati Mishra
Swati MishraUpdated 9 days ago

Free decompression and compression software

WinRAR for Windows is a free trialware program that lets you zip and unzip files into and from folders. The cross-platform utility is compatible with Android, iOS, Linux, and Microsoft Windows devices on 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems. WinRAR can function on Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 9, Windows 10, Windows XP, and Windows Vista systems.

Is WinRAR for free?

The popular file compression and decompression platform is available as a free 40-day trial. If you do not want to receive constant notifications that explain the benefits of the paid version, then you'll have to forgo the WinRar free trial and purchase the tool. WinRAR offers specified services to both individuals and businesses.

Is WinRAR safe?

To have the safest version of WinRAR, you should download the most recent release. While the WinRAR application is completely safe, you can get viruses by accidentally downloading malicious content from the internet or messages. But this can be avoided in most cases with comprehensive knowledge of the program's features. 

The utility lets you determine a password for archived files. While archiving a file, you can click on the ‘Set password…’ option in the lower right corner of the window. In the app's user interface, you can select the ‘VirusScan’ and ‘Protect’ icons from the command line to increase your security.

What is the use of WinRAR?

WinRAR is a staple application that lets you pack and unpack files on your computer, laptop, and mobile device. The compression tool supports ARJ, BZIP2, CAB, GZip, ISO, LZH, RAR, TAR, UUE, Z, ZIP, and 7-Zip file formats. You can easily access the application by clicking on the icon and by right-clicking on files and folders.

When you right-click on a piece of content, the actions associated with that media will appear in the context menu next to the WinRAR icon: archive, compress, etc. If you click on ‘Add to archive…’, then a window will appear with a myriad of options. In the ‘General’ tab, there is detailed information that you can use to create the archive.

In the upper portion of the window, you can name the archive. Beneath the ‘Archive name’ section is the ‘Archive format’ segment. You can choose to format the file as either a RAR or ZIP file. Also, the dropdown menu will give you different compression methods. There are ‘Archiving options’ within the window that let you delete, lock, and test the archive files.

Next to ‘General’ are the ‘Advanced’, ‘Options’, ‘Files’, ‘Backup’, ‘Time’, and ‘Comment’ tabs. You can access these functions directly through the app or context menu.

An easy-to-use platform

WinRAR has an intuitive user interface that presents the primary capabilities in the command bar: ‘Add’, ‘Extract to’, ‘Test’, ‘View’, ‘Delete’, ‘Find’, ‘Wizard’, ‘Info’, ‘VirusScan’, ‘Comment’, ‘Protect’, and ‘SFX’. These core actions can be alternatively accessed through the context menu by right-clicking on files and folders. Above the command line is a menu bar: ‘File’, ‘Commands’, ‘Tools’, ‘Favorites’, ‘Options’, and ‘Help’.

To compress files together, you can click on the ‘Add’ icon. If you prefer to decompress files from a folder, then you can select the ‘Extract to’ icon. Beneath the options in the icon bar is the area where the files and folders being manipulated will be listed. You can highlight the content that you want to edit.

WinRAR is capable of packing and unpacking multimedia packages. Information of each piece of media will be listed in the horizontal line next to the title: size, type, modification date, etc. Along with the ability to add and extract files, WinRAR offers additional features that let you test, view, and delete the highlighted content.

While the UI is easy to navigate, WinRAR has integrated a ‘Wizard’ feature into the software. This assistive addition guides people through the compression and decompression processes in the file manager. The user-friendly manual can be useful for beginners.

How do I install WinRAR for free?

You can download WinRAR on 32-bit and 64-bit Windows PC devices. Along with saving space on devices by compressing files into folders, the program is lightweight and does not require much storage space. You can install WinRAR by proceeding through the prompts. By pressing ‘Install’, you will be agreeing to the company's license agreement.

In the WinRAR setup, you'll have to choose the file types that you want associated with WinRAR by selecting all or only some of the formats. There are options to add the WinRAR icon to the desktop, ‘Start Menu’, and program group for easy accessibility. Beneath the ‘Interface’ section, you can decide the ‘Shell integration’ information.

Once the preferred information is selected, you will be directed to the next page which lets you know where WinRAR was installed to. From there, you can open the app and begin using the utility.

Alternative packing programs

PeaZip, WinZip, and 7-Zip downloads are similar applications that can zip and unzip files. Along with WinRAR, all of the apps are cross-platform. If you are looking for a completely free platform to compress and decompress data, then 7-Zip and PeaZip are excellent choices. WinRAR and WinZip offer trials that are free for a limited period of time.

While all of the aforementioned programs are popular decompression and compression tools, WinRAR and 7-Zip have gained the reputation of delivering the best possible experience to users. They have similar user interfaces that are easy to use. While 7-Zip has quicker compression times, WinRAR offers more features: Wizard.

A staple archiver utility

Created by RARLAB, WinRAR has been around since 1995, and is still a staple utility to have installed on computers, laptops, and mobile phones. The trialware is cross-platform and available in over 50 languages: English, Chinese, Spanish, etc. You can easily unpack documents from the internet or pack items together to send cohesively.

What’s new?

RARLAB consistently updates WinRAR to optimally perform. You can visit their official website to view the most recent update, cookie info, privacy policy, etc.

PROS

  • Lightweight
  • User-friendly
  • Cross-platform
  • Works well with many file formats

CONS

  • Unappealing UI
  • Ambiguous trial period

Program available in other languages


WinRAR for PC

  • Trial version

  • In English
  • V 7.00
  • 3.9

    (4315)

User reviews about WinRAR

  • Pritam Kumar Paul

    by Pritam Kumar Paul

    Helps to Open File Easily and after all free trail helps to get the service.

  • Chhedagad Municipality

    by Chhedagad Municipality

    not work good why this problem i don't know so this is to short relation

  • Paritosh Dube

    by Paritosh Dube

    it is good as it allows user to download large files in short time sacving data and then see them in extended form when they are working offline. very More

  • Kennedy Chadzuka

    by Kennedy Chadzuka

    thank you its awesome i like your product. i wish you can make more

  • Даниела Петрова

    by Даниела Петрова

    best choice ,for archiver i strongly recommend to all of my friends

  • احمد سليمان

    by احمد سليمان

    the best zipping ever.
    simple, easy, strong usually renew.
    more and more. sorry my English is little.


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