WinRAR
How to Use WinRAR
Once WinRAR is installed, its core tasks — extracting, compressing, protecting, and testing archives — all take just a few clicks.
Get an archive tool for your computer
Download the installer and start opening RAR, ZIP and 7z archives in a few minutes.
The interface at a glance
Opening WinRAR directly shows a simple file browser with toolbar buttons for common actions: Add, Extract To, Test, View, Delete, and Info. Most day-to-day work, though, happens through the right-click context menu that WinRAR adds during installation, without ever opening this window.
Extracting an archive
- 1Right-click the archiveRight-click any
.raror.zipfile in File Explorer. - 2Choose an extract optionSelect Extract Here to place files in the current folder, or Extract to [folder name] to create a new subfolder automatically.
- 3Confirm password if promptedIf the archive is protected, WinRAR asks for a password before extracting — see password-protected RAR files if you don't have one.
Creating a new archive
- 1Select the files or folderHighlight what you want to compress in File Explorer.
- 2Right-click and choose Add to archiveThis opens WinRAR's archive-creation dialog.
- 3Choose the archive formatPick RAR or ZIP, name the file, and choose a destination.
- 4Click OKWinRAR compresses the selected files into the new archive.
Adding a password
In the Add to archive dialog, click Set password, enter a password, and optionally enable Encrypt file names so the file list itself is also hidden until the password is entered. See password-protected RAR files for more on how RAR encryption behaves.
Splitting into multiple volumes
In the same Add to archive dialog, set a size under Split to volumes, size, choosing a preset or a custom size. WinRAR creates a sequence of numbered .part1.rar, .part2.rar files (or .r00, .r01 for older naming). Details on reassembling these are on multi-part RAR files.
Testing an archive
Right-click an archive and choose Test archive to verify its contents aren't corrupted, without extracting anything. This is useful before deleting an original file you compressed, or before transferring an archive over an unreliable connection. If a test fails, see corrupted RAR file.
| Task | Where to find it |
|---|---|
| Extract files | Right-click archive > Extract Here / Extract to... |
| Create an archive | Right-click files > Add to archive... |
| Add a password | Add to archive dialog > Set password |
| Split into volumes | Add to archive dialog > Split to volumes, size |
| Test for errors | Right-click archive > Test archive |
Download and try it yourself
Install the archive tool and apply the steps from this guide on your own files.
Frequently asked questions
Can I extract only some files from an archive, not all of them?
Yes. Double-click the archive to open it in WinRAR's window, select the specific files, and choose Extract from the toolbar.
What's the difference between RAR and ZIP when creating an archive in WinRAR?
Only WinRAR and other RARLAB tools can create RAR archives, while ZIP is universally readable. See [ZIP vs. RAR](/zip-vs-rar) for a full comparison.
Why does WinRAR ask for a password I never set?
That means the archive itself was encrypted by whoever created it. WinRAR can't bypass a password it doesn't know; see [password-protected RAR files](/password-protected-rar-files).
How do I know an archive I created isn't corrupted?
Right-click it and choose Test archive immediately after creating it, especially for anything you plan to send or archive long-term.
Related guides
- Password-Protected and Encrypted RAR ArchivesA password-protected RAR archive uses encryption to keep its contents unreadable without the correct password — there is no legitimate shortcut around one you don't know.
- Multi-Part (Split) RAR Files ExplainedA multi-part RAR archive splits one large compressed file into several smaller pieces that must all be present in one folder to extract correctly.
- How to Create a RAR FileOnly RARLAB's own tools can create a genuine RAR archive. Here's how to do it in WinRAR, and what to consider if you'd rather not use it.
- How to Fix a Corrupted RAR ArchiveA corrupted RAR archive can sometimes be repaired, and sometimes can't. Here's how to test one, what recovery tools actually do, and when re-downloading is the real fix.
WinRAR is a trademark of its respective owner. RareExplorer is an independent resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by RARLAB or win.rar GmbH. Read our editorial policy to see how this page was researched.