It’s already Day 27 of TechPP Mega Christmas Giveaway. With just a few days to go for Christmas, things are getting exciting here as well. Today, we present to you, one of the best and most popular compression software – WinRAR from RarLabs. Over the last decade, we have seen so many free and premium archiving solutions, but not many have managed to stay afloat on top for a long time. And without an iota of doubt, WinRAR is one amongst the few which has evolved over the time to be amongst the best currently.
WinRAR is a powerful archiver and archive manager that cannot only open all popular compression formats but also features it’s own. RAR files can usually compress content 8 to 15 percent more than ZIP or ARJ files. WinRAR’s main features are – strong general and multimedia compression, processing of non-RAR archives (ZIP,ARJ,CAB,TAR etc.), scanning archives for viruses, long filename support, programmable self-extracting archives (SFX), damaged archive repair, NTFS and Unicode support, authenticity verification, embedded file comments, and encryption.
Personally, I have always preferred WinRAR over other similar software like WinZIP, WinArj, 7zip etc. WinRAR is able to browse and unpack contents of ISO files. It also offers an option to integrate tightly into the Windows operating system during installation.This includes a very handy Windows Explorer entry which can be used to unpack or pack files directly in Windows Explorer.
Even the user interface is uncluttered and easy to use. If you don’t like the default looks, you have an option to easily change the theme by choosing your favorite from the available list of themes.
The header contains the menu bar which has the icons for all the important functions you would need. On the left, the sidebar contains the file browser similar to Windows explorer. A right-click on any file in the file browser opens a context menu with several options ranging from viewing, renaming or deleting files to repairing archives or setting passwords.
Someone new to WinRAR will find the Wizard feature (available in the header menu bar) very useful. It helps the users in packing, unpacking, viewing, rearranging, repairing and setting the passwords for the archives.
Users will also be able to test the archive or a specific file inside an archive by clicking on the Test icon. WinRAR tries to discover installed virus scanners automatically which can then be selected from a pulldown menu. It is even possible to add comments to archives and make them self extracting if you desire. Making an archive self extracting is very useful on systems without a compression software installed.
You can even convert the archives from one format to another, like ZIP to RAR or vice versa.
Advanced users would love the options provided during creation of an archive. There are almost 6 tabs providing various functionalities which at times make you feel overwhelming. User can simply click on OK without worrying about all those options as the default options are enough to compress the files added. But for those interested, they will be able to change the compression level, split the files into multiple archives, password protect the archive and many more.
WinRAR Features
- Lets user compress files by making smaller archives, saving disk space and transmission costs
- Supports many files most of popular formats like: RAR, ZIP, CAB, ARJ, LZH, TAR, GZ, ACE, UUE, BZ2, JAR, ISO, 7Z, Z archives.
- Comes with a graphic interactive interface utilizing mouse and menus as well as the command line interface.
- The “Wizard” mode feature allows instant access to the basic archiving functions. This avoids confusion in the early stages of use.
- Offers the industry strength archive encryption using AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) with a key of 128 bits.
- Can support files and archive up to 8,589 billion gigabytes in size.
- The number of archived files is, for all practical purposes, unlimited.
- User can create self-extracting and multivolume archives.
- The recovery record and recovery volume feature allows user to reconstruct even physically damaged archives.
Supported File Formats:
RAR, ZIP, CAB, ARJ, LZH, TAR, GZ and TAR.GZ, BZ2 and TAR.BZ2, ACE, UUE, JAR (Java Archive), ISO (ISO9660 – CD image), 7Z, Z (Unix compress)
Verdict:
Overall, WINRAR provides a straightforward interface that is easy to use even for novice users, yet powerful enough to accommodate advanced users as well. This powerful archiver and archive manager is an ideal solution for creating compressed archives. Interested users can download a trial version at the WinRAR download page.
WinRAR – Free licenses Giveaway
We have ten free licenses of WinRAR 3.90 to be given away today. Please follow the below rules carefully to be eligible for a free license.
Please let us know why you use WinRAR (if you use it) or why you don’t use WinRAR (if you don’t use it). We will select the 10 best and most insightful comments irrespective of whether you use WinRAR or not.
Martin is giving away free licenses of USB Safely Remove. Make sure to check it out.
Update: This giveaway is now closed. Winners will be chosen in a day or 2.
I’ve been usinng WinRAR for quite some time now. It’s a great application. What I like about it is the compression, speed, splitting and the fact that it also runs like a charm in the background for those large projects.
I used WinRAR because:
1. Like English is a universal language, I find it rar files is a commonly used like zip archive.
3. Because rar files is like a universal language in archive files, it more better in handles rar files compare to other compatible programs.
4. Fast archiving of files.
5. I find it easy to use. Even my niece with a little knowledge of computer use it in files, not just one but in parts!
6. I like it in fast drag n’ drop operation in total uninstall programs when installing.
Currently I use IZArc to compress my files.
WinRAR is certainly one of the most popular compressing tools
Winrar is similar to Winzip but (compared to its competitor) with additional functionality
Allows to obtain a high compression ratio, higher than other programs storage
On average, the RAR format compresses the 15-30% better than the ZIP format
It has many features including:
Interface more intuitive and fast
Quick and easy to learn
it’s flexible and it has opened everything
Split Files
Make a Self Extracting archive
Signature verification and authentication
Recovery from physical damage to archives
Detail View
Explorer-like view
etc.
The new version is distinguished by support for Windows 7 64Bit
There are also huge improvements in multi-threading in addition to full compatibility with Windows 7.
Disadvantages (in my opinion) …very few:
Compression operations (RAR) are slower than compressing the same data with other compression algorithms (for example ZIP)
I do not use Winrar because it’s a proprietary format.
While there are other compression algorithms that are not proprietary formats … (see open format such as ZIP).
In the second case, these compression formats are used by many tools (free or shareware), and then these tools are better supported (always in my opinion)
Thanks for this opportunity
Regards
There is plenty of free comparable archiving programs out there. I would never pay for this kind of program no matter how good it is.
The only way I would use it is if you gave it to me free.
Love to have a full version of WinZip – been using the old free versions and the alternative e.g. 7Zip, but the daddy of them all and still the best is WinZip. Great when I want to backup and save – with ancillary comment and visual files.
i hope i get the lisence, because i very need for software is powerfull to compress any files and folders like winrar
i have used wrar for several years now. I find it one of the best software out there. I even like it better then WinZip. I would love a license for new version wrar that could run under Vista 64 edition.
I use WinRAR over Winzip, because while Winzip has faster compression/decompression rates, WinRAR:
1.provides complete support of RAR and ZIP files, unpacks 7z, ACE, ARJ, BZ2, CAB, GZ, ISO, JAR, LZH, TAR, UUE, Z (which allows you to unpack a wide variety of files no matter where they come from), and strong compression, good archiving speed, multi-volume support, encryption, self-extracting modules, and backup facilities;
2. consistently makes small archives through advanced compression technology and research (compared to WinZip or WinAce);
3. saves you wasting time looking for drivers and addons that would be necessary with other compression software as WinRAR has them all pre-loaded!;
3.guarantees that you will never have to pay for add-ons, extra features and new editions that are released – so you never have to worry about the software becoming obsolete or outdated;
4. is also extremely user friendly and can be utilized by the computer illiterate because it has a special “Wizard” mode that makes file compression and unpacking incredibly seamless and simple to use, through a question and answer procedure;
5. it is ompatible with Linux, PowerPC, Mac OS X, Solaris, Amiga, MorphOS, IRIX, Open Protium and x64 Linux;
6. it obliterates the competition in the field of file compression through its advanced research, technology, standards, licenses, versatility, compatibility and ease of use that make it the must-have file compression and archiving software for today’s computer junkies;
7. it allows extracting of multiple archives in a queue modus (reduces your CPU load), deletes archive-file(s) after extraction, deletes added files after creation of a new archive;
8. it allows one to convert archives from ZIP to RAR and vice versa and can scan your archives for viruses before you extract the files;
9. it automatically detecting the type of files you are compressing and adjusting the compression rate accordingly;and
10. it has a built in virus scanner.
I would love a pro license so please put me in the draw!
I love WinRar ever since I started using it so many years ago.
I use WinRar because its fast, reliable, extracts all standard archive formats, and it includes a number of other very useful features.
One feature I particularly like is its ability to simultaneously compress or archive multiple files or folders, each into its own archive. A few years ago I tried to find a utility to compress multiple folders to multiple corresponding archives. I found and tried several, but each suffered various drawbacks; most were difficult to use. Then I discovered that I could accomplish this using WinRar, by choosing the appropriate default compression settings and merely using the right mouse button and selecting the folders to archive — a fast and flawless operation. That was the day I started using WinRar exclusively.
I use 7zip because I don’t have the money for WinRAR. But i would like to have it since using WinRAR, you’re always a Win(RAR)ner!
I would also be happy to win this. I sometimes receive RAR files and this would be very useful
Winrar was always my favorite compression program!
There are few reasons why i don’t endorse Winrar to my friends and family… First, it is licensed. Second, the term “archive” is very confusing. Third, navigating files inside an archive is not that friendly, im having difficulties explaining what the “..” folder means. Lastly, for windows users zip or compress does the trick so there’s no need for a licensed one.
Hope you take this constructively. this is not an attack against Winrar. rather just an observation.
Nice
I have using IZArc for a long time and would like to use WinRar
send me the winning license.
I know I will win this. With your generosity, I will.
I use WinRAR at work on a daily basis; but at home i use freeware alternative like 7zip. When i compared these archiver progs, there is ONLY ONE that stay on TOP as #1 ARCHIVER for all the powerful features it has! This software is called WinRAR and is very well described in this Christmas Giveaway. Novice and advanced users can use it. What i think about WinRAR in three words: SIMPLY THE BEST.
Thanks Techpp (and Rarlabs) for opening this contest!! Hope to win one license! Merry Christmas to everybody!!!
This is the best tool according to me using it for years plz count me in this giveaway,as i want a full genuine version
Thanks
I am still using winRAR portable version. The best thing i like is making part file for compressed file. It’s awesome.
Please send license. Thank you.
We use WINRAR becoause it support general and multimedia compression, and non-RAR archives (ZIP,ARJ,CAB,TAR etc.). It also scan for viruses and support long filename , NTFS and Unicode support, authenticity verification, embedded file comments, and encryption.
I like winrar very much because it is a part of my daily life.I am using it
for personal use only.That is why I don’t like to pay for it.It is better if I get a genuine licence.Please consider my request.
Thank you
I don’t like WinRAR bcoz I get most of the required functionality free from 7-zip… but then again you may surprise me by giving a license
I use winrar it’s fast and powerful. A complete solution!
Winrar?
Simply the BEST
i need sir . pls
best . compression software . ever
whats more to say? lightweight, fast, user-friendly, multi-format, partsplitting, recovery mode.
I have been using the evaluation version since it is the best among the lot. I’d like to have this free license. Thanks.
HooRAR for WinRAR – reliable and robust..