For a variety of reasons, sometimes a group of files needs to be compressed into one single file. Sometimes this is for convenience, sending a large group of files or having a user download that group of files individually is not convenient. Compressing the files not only creates a single file that can be sent or downloaded, it also slightly reduces the size of the content. It can be compared to folding the pages of a letter and placing them into an envelope in order to mail the letter. Sending each page individually would not make sense, but combining the pages creates a concise document.
A compressed data file can come in a variety of formats. Arguably, one of the most common compressed data file formats is a ZIP file. This is the format that the Windows operating systems create by default when compiling a compressed data file. However, there are many other archived data formats that are equally common. Often, when a user downloads a file that is not a format that they are accustomed to, they do not know how to proceed. A RAR file may fall into this category.
RAR files are the proprietary compressed data files of a program called WinRAR, and have the same function as a ZIP file or any other compressed data archive. However, when a user downloads the RAR file and no program is associated with it, they are left wondering how to open it. While the Windows operating system cannot open a RAR file by default, simply downloading, installing and using a freeware program which can extract a variety of data archives can make opening a RAR file easy. One program that can do that for you is called WinRAR:
WinRAR
WinRAR is Windows version of the RAR archiver – It is a powerful tool that allows you to create, manage and control archive files. There are several versions of RAR, for a number of operating environments that include: Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, DOS, OS/2, MacOS X.
There are two versions of RAR for Windows:
- The Version with graphical user interface – WinRAR.exe;
- Command line console (text mode) version – Rar.exe.
I am using evaluation copy for the purpose of this illustration
The next thing to do is click “Extract” select the destination path or create a new one and extract your files into the destination folder and you’re done.
7-Zip
Another great program to use for this is called 7-Zip, 7-Zip is a freeware program that is able to open a wide variety of data archive types. Freeware means that the program is free for you to use forever. Unlike WinRAR, the program does not need to be purchased. In order to download the program, the user need only go to the 7-Zip website and locate the version that is appropriate for their operating system and has been most recently updated. After clicking on the download link, the user will be directed to SourceForge, where a dialog box will then pop up prompting them to save the file. Once the file has downloaded, the user must locate and install the downloaded file.
Another great program to use for this is called 7-Zip, 7-Zip is a freeware program that is able to open a wide variety of data archive types. Freeware means that the program is free for you to use forever. Unlike WinRAR, the program does not need to be purchased. In order to download the program, the user need only go to the 7-Zip website and locate the version that is appropriate for their operating system and has been most recently updated. After clicking on the download link, the user will be directed to SourceForge, where a dialog box will then pop up prompting them to save the file. Once the file has downloaded, the user must locate and install the downloaded file.
The windows version comes in two types
See the comparison of 7-Zip with some of the leading archivers in the world
When 7-Zip has been fully installed, a RAR file can be unpacked by loading the program. The main screen of the program features the contents of your hard drive, usually featuring folders such as Computer, Documents, Network and the like. The user must locate the file they wish to unpack and click the Extract button, indicated on the top icon bar of the program. This will prompt the user to pick a place for the file to be extracted. When the user has picked a satisfactory path, they must hit OK. A folder will then be created in the same folder in which the RAR file was placed, containing the contents of the file.