WinRAR 5.70 Review

[jasonX]

WinRAR version 5.70 Review

It's been years now since I started using WinRAR as my main compression archiver application. I remember way back I only knew two (2) archivers, WinZIP and later WinRAR (version 3) because my former employer, a semiconductor manufacturing company used both but by 2004 stuck it out with WinRAR which was included in a total software security package (included in a deal with Symantec's Endpoint Security). From then on I always had WinRAR and along the course of work (via interfacing with other manufacturing representatives) have experienced using alternatives like 7Zip, BandiZIP and PeaZip (mostly to open encrypted archive files sent via email etc.). Forum work made me delve with more intricacies of WinRAR and with it opened my eyes to more alternatives as the forum world is flooded with a great number of software fighting to gain supremacy for that one loyal user. It has been a while since the release of WinRAR 5.70 thus it is high time that we update our WinRAR Review here at Geeks For Your Information Forum. 

The following is a review of WinRAR version 5.70 involving basic usage features and functions as well as some differences from previous WinRAR versions. This review will also show comparisons to other popular alternatives to WinRAR. Additional information from WinRAR developers will also be included with regards to this version. Let's get started!



WinRAR is the Windows version of RAR archiver -- a powerful compression tool allowing the user to create, manage and control archive files. This compression software offers a full list of quality ZIP features and supports a host of extraction formats. The user can compress files into RAR 5, RAR 4, and ZIP archive formats and can extract a number of different archives. WinRAR supports the extraction of several archive formats which in addition to RAR and ZIP, includes RAR, ZIP, 7Z,  ARJ, BZ2, CAB, GZ, ISO, JAR, LZ, LZH, TAR, UUE, XZ, Z, ZIPX and 001. WinRAR's most user-friendly aspects are the drag-and-drop feature and the Archive Wizard. WinRAR automatically detects the type of files you are compressing and adjusts the compression rate accordingly. WinRAR uses a traditional display involving menu trees that lets you go to your archive folder and drag the files or folder into WinRAR. WinRAR is officially distributed by win.rar GmbH. 

About win.rar GmbH

win.rar  GmbH  is and has  been  the  official  distributor  of  WinRAR  and  RARLAB  products since February 2002 and handles all support, marketing and sales functions related to  WinRAR  &  RARLAB.COM.  win.rar GmbH is registered in  Germany,  and  is represented worldwide by local partners in more than 70 countries on six continents. win.rar’s declared objective is to provide first-class quality support and to optimize its software to meet customer’s requirements in accordance with their valued feedback. For more information about WinRAR and win.rar GmbH please visit their website at http://www.win-rar.com 


There are several versions of RAR, for a number of operating environments: Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, Mac OS X.

There are two (2) versions of RAR for Windows: 

(1) Version with graphical user interface - WinRAR.exe; 
This is the RAR archiver version for Windows with full graphical interface. See "The WinRAR Interface below". 
 
(2) Command line console (text mode) version - Rar.exe.
This is also RAR version for Windows, but it only supports the command line text mode interface. This console RAR version is convenient, when the user needs to call RAR from BAT and CMD files or to use it at the command prompt. The console RAR version supports a larger number of command line switches and commands comparing to WinRAR. 

Note: WinRAR and WinRAR self-extracting modules require Windows XP SP3 or later.

WinRAR features

• Complete support of RAR and ZIP 2.0 archives; 
  
• Highly sophisticated, original compression algorithm; 
  
• Shell interface including drag-and-drop facility and wizard; 
  
• Command line interface; 
  
• Non RAR archives (7Z, ARJ, BZ2, CAB, GZ, ISO, JAR, LZ, LZH, TAR, UUE, XZ, Z, 001 and several ZIPX types) management; 
  
• Solid archiving, which can raise compression ratio by 10% - 50% over more common methods, particularly when packing a large number of small, similar files; 
  
• Multi-volume archives; 
  
• Creation of self-extracting archives (also multi-volume) using the default or optional SFX modules; 
  
• Recovering physically damaged archives; 
  
• Recovery volumes allowing to reconstruct missing parts of multi-volume archives. 
  
• Unicode support in file names; 
  
• Other service functions, such as encryption, archive comments, error logging, etc. 
  

The WinRAR Interface

The WinRAR interface shows full graphical display of all elements of RAR archiver and also allows users to customize some features for more ease of use. 

WinRAR has the following menus (Main Menus): (1) File, (2) Commands, (3) Tools, (4) Favorites, (5) Options, and (6) Help. 

The next interface item just below the "Main Menu" is the "Toolbar". Toolbar buttons duplicate items of the "Commands" menu. In "archive management mode" some buttons may be disabled (if functions are not applicable to the archive). WinRAR allows the user to customize the buttons (choose buttons to display, remove buttons text or reduce buttons size) via the "General settings dialog or clicking by the right mouse button on the toolbar. See images below. 

Just below the toolbar buttons the "Up" button and the Disks List. "Up" button changes the "current folder" to the "parent folder". "Disks List" offers ease of selection change from current disk to another (alternatively the F4 key may also open the "Disk List"). See "interface images" again above. 




The WinRAR Shell

The WinRAR shell may be in one of two basic states (Modes). There are similarities and differences among this basic states and the user should (and must) be capable to understand what or where he is working (whichever basic states) in order to maximize efficiency and obtain best performance of WinRAR. 

User also needs to be careful on the usage of the "Delete" command which differs in both states. This will be further shown / explained in "DELETING CONTENTS OF AN ARCHIVE".


1. File Management Mode
In the file management mode, a list of files and folders from the current working folder is displayed. This current working folder is where you intend to make/derive an archive. To enter into "file management mode" the user has to launch WinRAR and go to the desired folder to be used as working folder. The user can use the "Folder Tree" (or select the location desired via the "Disk List"). From the identified working folder, user can select the files/folders to perform WinRAR functions such as archiving and deleting. Also in this mode it is possible to perform test and extract operations with groups of archives. The "Commands" (functions) available for file management mode is reflected in the Toolbar buttons. See image below. 

2. Archive Management Mode
In the archive management mode, the list of archived files and folders from the currently opened archive is displayed. It is the mode when a user opens an archive to be viewed in WinRAR. User may also select files/folders and perform archive specific operations such as extracting, testing or commenting. The "Commands" (functions) available for archive management mode is reflected in the Toolbar buttons. See image below. 

When I started to do a review for WinRAR (version 5.50) I myself got confused with both "file management mode" and "archive management mode". So I'd like to share some tip/info on how I differentiated both modes. 

I am mentioning this so the first time user / non-regular user, may, (at the very least) not be confused. This especially if "Options > Folder tree" are left unchecked (Options > Folder tree > Show disk folders -- unchecked and Options > Folder tree > Show archive folders -- unchecked)  because the both "file management mode" and "archive management mode" look "similar". 

See image below especially the "Unchecked". 

If the first time user prefers to not use "Folder Tree" view, then the only differentiation is the "Title bar" and the "Disk List". Where in "archive management mode" (meaning an archive is open in WinRAR) the "Title bar" will show a file extension of the open archive. In this case, the open archive (in archive management mode) is "Manufacturing.rar", thus the "Title bar" will show "Manufacturing.rar". 

Also in "archive management mode" the Disk List will show the open archive name, in this case, "Manufacturing.rar" along with the type of archive and size. See image below. 

In "file management mode" ("Options > Folder tree" left unchecked) the "Title bar" will show the name of the current working folder open. The "Disk list" will show the complete file path of the current working folder that is open in WinRAR. See images below.  

One benefit of using the "Folder tree" (Options > Folder tree > Show disk folders -- checked and Options > Folder tree > Show archive folders -- checked) is that "if" there are comments relating to a created archive it will be shown in the WinRAR shell as a third column. 



Main Menu
When the user runs WinRAR for the first time he will see "Main menu" along with the icons that you will need to get you started. The Main menu are: (1) File (2) Commands, (3) Tools, (4) Favorites, (5) Options and the (6) Help menu (refer to The WinRAR interface for visualization). The drop-down list per menu is shown below. 

Options Menu
WinRAR general configuration can be set via Main Menu > Options > Settings. This further displays the following WinRAR settings: General, Compression, Paths, File list, Viewer, Security and Integration. User can set configuration/settings to his preference here. 

Among other functions the "Options" menu also allows the user better viewing/ease of use (according to his preference) such as (a) "File list" where the user can set whether he wants to view all "details" of files in the "File List pane" or not (see image of The WinRAR interface for visualization), (b) Folder tree - where user can set the "Folder tree" of archive or disk or not. Traditional users who want to see all in one interface is favored to use this feature. See images below. 

WinRAR allows the user to export and later import configuration/settings of via Options > Import and Export. Here you can either:

(a) Export settings to file
Selecting this will give a file "Settings.reg" for the user to save. Note that the user can save the ".reg" in whatever file name he desires. The default location is C:\Users\xxxx\AppData\Roaming\WinRAR but user can also select a location of his preference. In this case the default location is "C:\Users\JB_W101709\AppData\Roaming\WinRAR". See images below. 

(b) Import settings from file
This allows the user to load saved settings from the default settings location ("C:\Users\xxxx\AppData\Roaming\WinRAR" folder) or a location you previously had set. (In this case the saved settings file is "WinRAR570_Settings_040319.reg"). 

By default WinRAR first searches the Registry but if "Settings.reg” file is present in ("C:\Users\xxxx\AppData\Roaming\WinRAR" folder or in this case "C:\Users\JB_W101709\AppData\Roaming\WinRAR" folder), it will be imported automatically. A restart of WinRAR is needed to apply some of imported settings. See images below. 

© Create a WinRAR.ini file.
This allows the user to create a new "WinRAR.ini file" and copies existing WinRAR settings from Registry to this file. (User can also select a location of his preference). To apply the ".ini file", user needs to copy the file created with this command either to WinRAR's own folder ("C:\Users\xxxxx\AppData\Roaming\WinRAR" folder) or a user-specified location. In this case, the WinRAR.ini file is saved in "C:\Users\JB_W101709\Desktop\WinRAR570_ini file_040319" folder so to apply he needs to copy it to the WinRAR default folder to make it active. See image below. 

Note:

• A user exports the "Settings.reg" if he wishes to move his settings to another computer. 
  
• A user creates "Winrar.ini" file if he wishes to have a portable WinRAR version, such as on USB flash drive, which stores most of settings in an ".ini file" and not in Registry.
  

The "Toolbar" (below the Main Menu) has buttons that are classified as "File / Archive management Command tools". The displayed buttons depends upon what WinRAR shell (Mode -- file management or archive management) the user is in. User can also set/select further toolbar buttons via Options > Settings > General > Buttons.

See images below for available toolbar buttons in both modes. 

ARCHIVING FILES

Archiving file/s in Windows Explorer 
The fastest way to archive files/folders in Windows Explorer is via WinRAR shell integration. User can enable this function via "Options > Settings > Integration > Shell Integration -- (check) "Integrate WinRAR into shell". With this enabled user just needs to select whatever he needs to archive and right-click. The context menu items will show the WinRAR shell integration. Items given are: (a) "Add to archive…” (2) "Add to <archive name>, (3) Compress and Email..., and (4) Compress to <archive name> and email. The context menu items can be added to or removed via "Options > Settings > Integration > Shell Integration -- (click) "Context menu items...” See images below. 

Sample archiving via Windows Explorer is shown below with the contents of folder "QC Tools" archived with archive name, "QC Tools.rar". 

As mentioned previously, archiving via Windows Explorer is the most fastest way to archive files/folders but if the user needs to be more meticulous (set additional parameters) about the archive he will create, say for example, "password protect", or place "comments" in the archive, then it cannot be done there. The image of "QC Tools.rar INFO" below shows "Main Comment / Encryption -- absent” in "Info tab" and "blank" in the "Comment" tab. 

WinRAR shell integration does not permit additional parameters to be set because when the user selects the context menu item, say, "Add to QC Tools.rar", archiving automatically executes and archive is automatically created. 

If the user needs "additional" parameters set for an archive, it is recommended to archive files/folders via the WinRAR shell mode. In this case, "QC Tools folder contents", user needs to archive the said folder in "file management mode". Archiving via WinRAR shell mode will be discussed later in Archive file in WinRAR shell mode" (an example using the same QC Tools folder will also be presented).  





Archive file in WinRAR shell mode
Archiving via the WinRAR shell mode is also easy and as mentioned previously in "Archiving file/s in Windows Explorer" the user is permitted to set "additional" parameters to a target archive. In this example, the same folder QC Tools folder is used. (This is also done to let some difference be seen with regards to "Archiving file/s in Windows Explorer" and "Archive file in WinRAR shell mode" via the main toolbar "Info" button).

User needs to select the "working folder" for the target archive (QC Tools folder/contents), select the files/folders to be added into the target archive and either click the main toolbar button "Add" or right-click in the file list pane and select "Add files to archive". 

The "Archive name and parameters" dialog box will appear and this is where the user can set additional parameters concerning his target archive. Shown are seven (7) tabs namely, (i) General, (ii) Advanced, (iii) Options. (iv) Files, (v) Backup, (vi) Time, and lastly, (vii) Comment. Each tab has settings that can be altered by the user according to his preference/needs. For this example we will just use, tab (i) General, and set (i) "archive name" / destination of the archive, (ii) password, and (iii) comment. 

The main toolbar > Info of "QC Tools.rar" created via WinRAR shell mode is below. Please see the "Info" tab now showing "Main Comment/Encryption -- present" as the archive is "password protected" and "has" existing archive comments. The "Comment" tab shows the archive comment set. 

See image below and compare with "QC Tools.rar INFO (created via Windows Explorer)" image in "Archiving file/s in Windows Explorer". 

Below is the "Archive name and parameters / Archiving with password" dialog box showing all seven (7) tabs. 

Note: 
By default WinRAR will create the archive in the current working folder but if user needs to specify a different destination, he should click "Browse" and from there locate his preferred destination and type the archive name in the "Find archive > File Name" dialog box. See image below.

The example below is for the "EXE files folder" which contains installer executables (size is 800mb). Same procedure is applied. User needs to select the "working folder" for the target archive (EXE files folder/contents), select the files/folders to be added into the target archive and either click the main toolbar button "Add" or right-click in the file list pane and select "Add files to archive". 

Same as with the "QC Tools files/folder", this ( for EXE files folder/contents) example we will just use, tab (i) General, and set (i) "archive name" / destination of the archive, (ii) password, and (iii) comment. Note that if the user prefers he can set "additional" parameters using all seven (7) tabs. 

See images below. 

Below is the "Archive name and parameters / Archiving with password" dialog box showing all seven (7) tabs for "EXE files / folder" archiving sample. 

Please see the "Info" tab of "EXE files.rar" below showing "Main Comment/Encryption -- present" meaning the archive is "password protected" and "has" existing archive comments. The "Comment" tab shows the archive comment set. 

Add files to an existing archive
The above example showed archiving of selected files/folders -- creating a new archive (in file management mode). User can add files to an existing archive as easy as creating a new archive. 


To add files/folders to an existing archive (QC Tools.rar) the user needs open the archive in WinRAR via "archive management mode". 

Note that when the user adds files/folders to an existing archive (no additional parameters set other than archive name -- using default settings -- without password/comment), the new archive with the files/folder added will inherit the default parameters. It is plainly like the user added what he wants to add. 

The image below will show the "Info" of QC Tools.rar (Main comment / Encryption --Absent) before and after adding text file "Add New Text Document so QC Tools_rar.txt". 

See example below.

When user adds files/folders to an existing archive (existing archive with password and with comment), the new archive created will just add the target files/folders and will just inherit the comment of the archive -- not the password of the existing contents. 

In this example the existing archive will be "QC Tools.rar" (this time password protected -- "jasonx" and with comments) and the target file to be added is "GFYI_Undelete 11 PRO Valentines 2019 Giveaway.pdf". 

The images below will show the "existing" contents of (existing) archive "QC Tools.rar" (with password and with comment). All are with (*) asterisk symbol at the end of the file name symbolizing it is password protected (encrypted). Further images will also show that if the user does not specify a password "for" the file to be added, that file will not inherit the encryption of the archive itself. Thus "GFYI_Undelete 11 PRO Valentines 2019 Giveaway.pdf" does not show an (*) asterisk symbol. The "Info" of the new archive QC Tools.rar will show (Main comment / Encryption --Present) even though the file that was added does not have encryption. 

See images below. 

The images below will show a comparison when a password protected file (with encryption) is triggered to open versus a non-encrypted (no password protection) file. The file "Control Plan.pdf *" is password protected thus when triggered to open, an "Enter password" dialog box appears for the user to enter the correct password. In contrast, "GFYI_Undelete 11 PRO Valentines 2019 Giveaway.pdf" (no password protection) automatically opened. 

So if a user wants to add files/folders to an existing archive that is password protected (with encryption), he needs to manually add a password to the target files/folders (files/folders to be added to existing archive) in the "Archive name and parameters" dialog box (Archive name and parameters > General > Set password...). 

User can adopt the same password of the existing archive contents or apply a different password to the files/folders to be added. In this case the old password for the existing archive contents is "jasonx". If user wants to adopt "jasonx" as the password for the files to be added, he has to set "jasonx" in "Set Password > Enter password" dialog box (Archive name and parameters > General > Set password...). Alternatively user can set a "new / different password" to the added files/folder (thus resulting "new" archive contents will have 2 different passwords).  

The images below will show that a different password is set for "GFYI_Undelete 11 PRO Valentines 2019 Giveaway.pdf" alongside adding a "new comment" for the resulting archive. 

See images below. 

Subsequent images below will show pdf file "Control Plan.pdf * " opened using "jasonx" -- original password). The new file added to QC Tools.rar --"GFYI_Undelete 11 PRO Valentines 2019 Giveaway.pdf* "opened using set password -- "GFYI".  

Drag and drop support

Note: "Drag and Drop" function is only applicable "if" "Integrate WinRAR into shell" is enabled (checked). Dropping files is available only into RAR and ZIP archives.

Add files using drag-and-drop, to an existing RAR archive can be achieved by selecting the desired archive to open it in the WinRAR shell (archive management mode). Select the files to the archive by simply dragging them from another program (in this case Windows Explorer) and dropping to WinRAR shell. See images below. 

Drag and Drop file/s to an archive within Windows Explorer / Desktop
File/s can also simply be added to an existing archive within Windows Explorer by selecting the desired file to be added (in this case "Add New Text Document so QC Tools_rar.txt"), drag and drop it to existing archive "QC Tools_Image.rar". User will see a "Copy" shadow signifying the drop. Desired file will be added to the existing archive automatically. 

See images below. 

If the target "existing archive" contents is password protected (encrypted), the added file will not inherit the content encryption (added file will be without encryption). If user prefers that the added file be encrypted (with the same password as of the existing archive or with a different password) then he needs to add desired file/s via WinRAR shell "archive management mode" then set his desired password using the "Set Password > Enter password" dialog box (Archive name and parameters > General > Set password..).

See images below of added/dropped file "Add New Tex Document so QC Tools_rar.txt" without encryption. 

The user may also drop files to RAR or ZIP archive icons (and shortcuts) on the Desktop to add files to an archive.

See image below. 

Drag and drop a single archive into "file management mode" 
When a single archive is dropped to WinRAR shell (file management mode) the archive contents is displayed and WinRAR will enter "archive management mode". This "drag and drop" action triggers WinRAR to "recognize" the dropped single archive and "displays/opens" it. WinRAR shell mode changes from "file management mode" to "archive management mode" in lieu of the archive dropped.  

See images below. 

Drag and drop a non-archive into "file management mode" 
When one non-archive file (or more) are dropped to WinRAR shell (file management mode), WinRAR will show a dialog box for the user to enter an "archive name" (and set additional parameters) for the new the archive. From there WinRAR will create that "new" archive from the "non-archive" files dropped to WinRAR shell (file management mode). 

If the user prefers, he can set desired "archive name" and "destination/location" for the archive to be created otherwise WinRAR will adapt the "file name" of the "dropped" non-archive file (if a single file is dragged/dropped) and use it as the new archive name (adding the “.rar" file extension). 

When more than one "non-archive files" are dropped (and user will not enter "archive name") WinRAR will adapt the name of the "source folder" (of the dropped files) as file name (adding the “.rar" file extension).

See images below. 

Any single archive that is dropped to the WinRAR toolbar (or disk list / address bar, file list*) whether it be in either WinRAR shell state (file management mode or archive management mode*) WinRAR opens that "dropped" archive and contents in archive management mode. 

Note: If an archive is dropped into the file list of an "open archive" that "dropped archive" will be added to the "open archive" contents (an "Archive name and parameters" prompt will appear). Thus in "archive management mode" drag and drop is limited to the (i) WinRAR desktop icon, (ii) WinRAR toolbar, (iii) disk list / address bar.

The example below shows "Manufacturing.rar" archive "dragged" from Windows Explorer and "dropped" to WinRAR shell mode. 

See images below. 

One or more non-archive files dropped to the WinRAR desktop icon, WinRAR toolbar (or disk list / address bar, file list) in file management mode opens the prompt to enter "archive name" (and set additional parameters). Unless user specifies an (1) "archive name" and (2) "new" location/destination for the new archive (to be created) WinRAR will create the "new" archive inside the folder of the displayed contents in the "file list". WinRAR by default will use the "source folder name" as file name and create the "new" archive inside the folder of the displayed contents in the "file list". 

The example below shows PDF files (i) "Failure Mode Effect Analysis in a Precision Sheet Metal", and (ii) "ToolDiesMouldsReport" "dragged" from Windows Explorer (file path is T:\WinRAR570_Files for Test\Docs\Manufacturing) and "dropped" to WinRAR shell "file management mode". WinRAR by default will use the "source folder name" (Y:\WinRAR570_Files for Test\Docs\Manufacturing) as file name (creating new archive "Manufacturing.rar") in "Y:\WinRAR570_Files for Test\Docs". 

See images below. 

Drag and Drop using right mouse button
A user can "drag" an existing archive using the right-mouse button and drop it to a "new location/destination" (folder) to "extract" the contents of the archive. When the user drags the archive to the new location/destination a "Move to (folder name)" will appear (during dragging). After the archive has been "dropped" to the new location/destination, an "extract" context menu will appear ("Extract Here"). User needs to select that to extract all contents of the archive to new location/destination. 
 
In the example below the archive is "QC Tools_Images_PWORD.rar" (encrypted) and the new location/destination folder is "Y:\WinRAR570_Files for Test\EXTRACT HERE". 

See images below. 

A user can "drag" a non-archive file/s using the right-mouse button and drop it to a "new location/destination" to create a new archive. The user needs to select all files and drag it to the new location/destination. A "Move to (folder name)" will appear (during dragging) and once files have are "dropped", an "archive" context menu will appear ("Add to archive..." and "Add to <archive name>")  for him to use to create a new archive. 

In the example below the non-archive for "drag and drop" is "Extrude Taper Faces.pdf" and the new location/destination folder is "Y:\WinRAR570_Files for Test\ARCHIVE HERE". 

See images below.