Windows 11 · Windows
Install and use WinRAR on Windows
Source-checked About 10 minutes
Answer
Download the current 64-bit Windows installer from WinRAR’s official Download page, run it, then use Open with WinRAR > Extract To to unpack an archive or Add files to archive to create a RAR or ZIP file. Extraction does not make an untrusted file safe, and WinRAR cannot recover an unknown archive password.
Download the official Windows installer
Open the official WinRAR Download page and select the current Windows 64-bit build in the needed language. Before opening it, confirm the site is win-rar.com and the download is for Windows.
Install WinRAR
Open Downloads, double-click the installer, approve the Windows prompt only when its source is expected, and click Install. Review archive associations and shell integration, click Done, then open WinRAR to confirm its window appears.
Extract a trusted archive
Right-click the archive, select Show more options if Windows 11 hides the classic entries, then choose Open with WinRAR. Select the needed items, click Extract To, choose a new destination folder, and click OK.
Create an archive
In WinRAR, browse to the source folder, select the files or folders, and click Add or Commands > Add files to archive. Enter a destination name, choose RAR or ZIP, and click OK while keeping the originals.
Test the result before deleting originals
Confirm extracted files appear in the chosen folder without a WinRAR diagnostic error. Reopen a newly created archive and, before deleting the originals, extract it to a temporary folder to confirm the expected files are intact.
Video walkthrough
If it does not work
- If the WinRAR context-menu entry is missing, open the archive from inside WinRAR and check WinRAR’s Integration settings before reinstalling.
- A CRC failed or corrupt-data message means the archive data does not verify. Obtain a clean copy from its source; WinRAR’s repair feature cannot guarantee recovery.
- If the archive requests an unknown password, ask its sender or publisher. WinRAR cannot recover a forgotten archive password.
- If Windows says a file is in use, close the app using that file and retry instead of forcing an overwrite.
- For a multi-volume archive, keep every part in one folder and begin extraction from the first volume.
Sources and verification
Checked against official documentation on . Scope: Windows.
Follow the linked first-party guidance if labels differ after a platform or app update.