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:
- Double-click or press Enter on the archive name in Windows Explorer or your Desktop. If WinRAR was associated with archives during installation (the default installation option), an archive will be opened in WinRAR otherwise it want. If WinRAR is not default RAR software then you can open it in one of few steps below. The easiest way to setup WinRAR as default is to right click on your archive file, choose “Open With” and then click on “Choose Program”. In new window locate WinRAR application, mark it and check option “Always use the selected program to open this kind of file”.
- Right click on archive name in Windows Explorer or your Desktop and choose "Extract Files" to choose location where you want to extract archive or choose "Extract here" to extract archive on location where is located your archive file. Again WinRAR have to be default RAR software in Windows.
- You can also drag-and-drop an archive to the WinRAR icon or window. Before doing this ensure that WinRAR does not already display another archive, otherwise the dropped archive will be added to the currently displayed archive
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.
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.
