WinRAR Complete Guide

For those who never use WinRAR here are little information’s what kind of software is this. WinRAR allows you to create, manage and control archive files. WinRAR can work under several operating systems: Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, DOS, OS/2, Mac OS X, and in this WinRAR guide I cover only Windows version.

There are two versions of RAR for Windows:

Version with graphical user interface - WinRAR.exe;

Command line console (text mode) version - Rar.exe.

In this guide I use graphical user interface version (v3.80). If you use older or newer version then 3.80 you can still use this guide because there are no big differences within options and interface. Now after you know some information’s about WinRAR let’s start with our guide. Steps to fallow:

Instructions

Level: All

Step 1: How to extract files with WinRAR

In order to extract files using WinRAR you must first open the required archive in WinRAR window. You can do that in one of several ways explained below:

After your archive is opened in WinRAR, its contents are displayed. Now you have to select all files and folders which you want to extract. To select those files and folders use “CTRL + Left mouse click” to select all of them, and after you have selected all click the Extract To button at the top of the window or press Al t+ E on your keyboard.

Step 2: How to archive files with WinRAR

Now after you know how to extract your archives, sometimes you may need to archive some of your documents and files, large freeware programs, etc… There are few reasons why you may wanted to archive those files, for example to send them in one package and not as whole bunch of files which will take you too much time to attach every single one of them is you are sending them over email.

When WinRAR is open it displays a list of files and folders in the current folder. You need to go to the folder, which contains files to archive. When you have entered the folder with the desired files, select the files and folders, which you are going to archive, again you can do it by using CTRL + left mouse click.

Learn more about WinRAR by reading our WINRAR Complete Guide

After you have selected all files which you want to archive click on the Add button at the top of the window or you can choose CTRL+A on your keyboard. New window will open offering you to setup few details about your archive.

In Archive Name filed enter the name of your archive file for example as you can see on above image, I added name softwaretipspalace.rar.
Click on Browser button and specify location where you want to add your archive after it’s done
In Archive Format area choose which in which format you want to archive your files/documents, there are two choices RAR or ZIP. The main advantage of ZIP format is its popularity and speed. ZIP archives are usually created faster than RAR. RAR format is able to handle files of practically unlimited size; it also has a few important features missing in ZIP, such as the recovery record allowing reconstructing damaged data and locking of important archives to prevent their accidental modification.
You can also choose Compression method from drop down menu
If you archive is for example larger the 750 MB you may want to split it into two parts so you can store it on normal CD media which have 750 MB of free space.

Step 3: Additional steps

Now you know how to archive and extract your files/documents what is basically main purpose of this software, but if you found above steps confusing and hard to fallow you can use WinRAR Wizard which will guide you through step by step process and help you to either archive or extract your files/documents.

To use this Wizard open WinRAR and click Wizard icon which is located at the top of the WinRAR window. Small window will show up, all you have left now is to choose what you want to do and fallow steps which are offered by wizard.

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