WinRAR
WinRAR is paid software: you can try it for free for a limited time, after which a license is required. See free alternatives ↓
WinRAR is a proprietary file archiver and data compression utility for Windows. Developed by win.rar GmbH, it allows users to create archives in RAR and ZIP formats, unpack numerous third-party archive formats, and protect archives using AES encryption.
www.win-rar.com · Official website
- ✓ Official source (winget)
- ✓ SHA256 taken from the official repository
- ✓ Last checked: Nov. 4, 2026
- This is not a virus scan. Check on VirusTotal
- Version
- 7.23.0
- License
- Proprietary
- Installer type
- exe
How do I use this?
Type Terminal in the Start menu and open it, paste the command (Ctrl+V or right-click) and press Enter. It uses winget, Windows' own package manager, to install the program from its official source.
winget install --id RARLab.WinRAR -eSHA256 (file verification)
8ff0daf3ed564cc743c0e23ff2e253997ffc74460f9673f0b6dd037b2db4ce7bWe couldn't find a macOS version of WinRAR in the official repositories; check the publisher's website.
We couldn't find a Linux version of WinRAR in the official repositories; check the publisher's website.
You can try these instead:
We couldn't find a Android version of WinRAR in the official repositories; check the publisher's website.
Security update: according to the publisher's release notes, WinRAR 7.23.0 fixes security vulnerabilities. If you use an older version, update.
Official release notes →
The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has confirmed that these vulnerabilities in older versions of WinRAR were used in real attacks. Keep the program up to date:
- CVE-2025-6218 – RARLAB WinRAR Path Traversal Vulnerability (Dec. 9, 2025)
- CVE-2025-8088 – RARLAB WinRAR Path Traversal Vulnerability (Aug. 12, 2025)
WinRAR 7.23.0: what's new?
- Fixed a heap overflow vulnerability in the RAR5 recovery volume data reconstruction code.
- Fixed a security issue where a specially crafted RAR archive could create a symbolic link pointing outside the destination folder.
- Updated the 7z extraction library (7zxa.dll) to version 26.02 with bug and vulnerability fixes.
- The command-line switch -iver now displays the RAR version even if -idc is specified.
Summarized from the publisher's release notes.
Highlights
- Creation of RAR and ZIP archives
- Decompression of formats including 7Z, ISO, TAR, GZ, and CAB
- AES 256-bit password encryption and header protection
- Splitting large archives into multi-volume volumes
- Recovery records to repair physically damaged archives
- Seamless integration with Windows Explorer context menus
Who is it for?
WinRAR is intended for computer users, system administrators, and office workers who need to compress files for storage, bundle documents for email transfers, or password-protect sensitive data.
Good to know before installing
- It is commercial software; continuing to use it past the 40-day evaluation period requires purchasing a license.
- Archive creation is restricted to RAR and ZIP formats.
- Provided with a full graphical interface exclusively for Windows.
How to install
Windows
- Click the official download button on this page to get the installer, or run 'winget install --id RARLab.WinRAR -e' in your terminal.
- Run the downloaded installer executable.
- Choose the installation directory and click 'Install' to accept the license agreement.
- Select your preferred file associations and interface integrations, then click 'Done'.
Free alternatives
Frequently asked questions
Is WinRAR free to use?
No, WinRAR is proprietary commercial software distributed with a 40-day free trial. Continued use requires purchasing a license.
Can WinRAR create archives in 7Z format?
No, WinRAR can only pack files into RAR and ZIP formats. It can unpack 7Z files, but cannot create them.
What happens when the 40-day trial expires?
A reminder notification prompts you to purchase a license whenever you open the program, though the application remains functional.