WinRAR

Popular programs in File Compression

What is WinRAR

WinRAR by Rarlab is a software utility used to compress and encrypt files for efficient and secure file transfer and faster e-mail transmission. With more than 500 million users worldwide, WinRAR has been a favorite of IT professionals and general users everywhere. It is available in more than 50 languages and for both 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems.

Since 1993, WinRAR has been used to safely encapsulate, compress and encrypt, as well as password protect files for individual users and companies alike. With its current list of functions and features, it is easy to see why it continues to be a leader in security and compression technologies.

Although WinRAR is a shareware, it includes a 40-day trial. Still, the product is well worth its cost, which goes without saying. Several products available on the market today perform some of the same functions that WinRAR does, but they differ in many respects. Listed below are the pros and cons for this outstanding product.

Pros

• Very simple interface, clean and uncluttered

• Drag-and-Drop functionality

• The ability to create multiple compressed files from larger files, and these files can be created to be self-extracting

• Encryption using AES with a 256-bit key

• The ability to read and unpack the following archived types: RAR, ZIP, ARJ, LZH, TAR, GZ, ACE, UUE, BZ2, JAR, ISO, EXE, 7z, Z and xz

• Data redundancy using recovery records and recovery volumes for reconstruction of damaged archives

• Robust command line options

Cons

• Only possible to create RAR or ZIP archives

• Cost - not free

I have personally used WinRAR for over a decade, from compressing my personal files at home to securing highly sensitive files in my work as a systems administrator, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. It is simple and easy to use, and it performs the job as promised. The command line functionality is invaluable for creating scripted processes that require repeatable encrypted archive creation.

Download a copy today and see if you do not find it as valuable a tool as I have. There are other products available, but WinRAR has served me well in any situation that requires security and peace of mind, and I am certain it will perform as well for you as it has for me.