How to Use WinRAR

Use Winrar to extract or archive files.

WinRAR is an archiving program that allows user to extract or compress data into a single .zip or.rar file. WinRAR allows users to so compress rarely accessed files to save space or save time when emailing multiple files by compressing the files into one. Users can create file systems within the .zip or .rar files to further organize data. This article will give you the basics needed to operate WinRAR.

Things You'll Need

• copy of WinRAR

Instructions

Creating a RAR File

1. Begin by creating a new folder and place the files that will be compressed into the folder. You may choose to rename this folder or to leave the way it is; you can rename the file at any time.

2. 

   Right click on the folder that will be archived and from the pop-up menu choose the option "Add to Archive." In the window that appears there are several tabs appear. The "Advanced" tab offers security and compression parameters, the "Files" tab offers and opportunity to include or exclude files, the "Backup" tab gives you options for backing up the original files and the "Time" tab lets you set the archive time or sort the files by time. The "Comment" lets you add text to the archive to document passwords, create a table of contents or to list a set of instructions.

3. After you are done tweaking the parameters of the files, return to the "General" tab. Choose the format from the middle of the menu. Select .rar or .zip and then click "OK." Because of tougher encryption capablitiies, many user opt to create a .rar file instead of a .zip file. After the compression process is complete your your zip or .rar file will appear in the destination folder.

Extracting a RAR File

1. Right click on the file. To extract the file to the containing folder click "Extract Here" from the pop-up menu. To choose a different location.click "Extract Files."

2. 

   If you choose the "Extract Files" option from the pop-up menu, choose a destination in the right side of the menu by using the file explorer. Use the expandable and collapsible menus of the explorer to find a location for the extracted files to go.

3. After locating the destination through the file explorer click "OK." The files will be extracted to this location.

Tips & Warnings

• Download and install a copy of WinRAR from http://www.win-rar.com/download.html.