Opening .rar files

[Rupert49]

I've been sent a disc that contains several files with the extension .rar which Windows cannot open. Having Googled for help I've come across a piece of free software which is recommended by Tech-Pro (http://www.tech-pro.net/about.html) called Bitzipper.

Has anyone any experience of opening .rar files and how safe is this sort of software likely to be if I choose to download it?

[Norman]

Give 7-Zip a try. It will 'unzip' RAR files and is open source (free).

[ermintrude]

I just use Stuffit Expander, its free, Im on a Mac but you can get it for PC too.

Can't say anything about the safety of the .rar file, like anything else it whether you can trust who gave you it and where they get it from in turn ad infinitum...

[Rupert49]

Give 7-Zip a try. It will 'unzip' RAR files and is open source (free).

Thanks for this Norman. Once installed, do I click open .rar files just like any other and the programme detects it's this sort of compressed file and automatically opens it for me, or will I need to right click the .rar file and do an 'open as' procedure?

I take it that this software is safe and does only what you want it to do, i.e. it doesn't take over all your files and your web browser and your home page? I read a review that implied it might want to do this, which rather put me off. Your assurance will help!

[Fen]

.rar is just another compression format, similar to .zip

It won't suddenly take over your computer and then the world... unless you do it on the second Tuesday of a month with an 'r' in the name during a solar eclipse

If you don't like Normans programme, do a google for "un-RAR". I've used that in the past without any problems.

[Rupert49]

Give 7-Zip a try. It will 'unzip' RAR files and is open source (free).

Further to my previous acknowledgement of your help Norman, please advise which version of 7-Zip I should download. Your link opens to a page where there are two sets of info .. one says 'Download 7-Zip 4.65 (2009-02-03) for Windows' and the other says 'Download 7-Zip 9.10 beta (2009-12-22) for Windows'. Also, once selected, should I download the one with .exe or .msi? (OS is Vista Home Premium)

[Norman]

Unless you want to use the 'beta' version of the software I would stick with version 4.65. The .exe is an installer for the 32 bit version and the .msi is the Microsoft Installer for the 64 bit version. Use whichever suits your operating system. I would imagine you would know if you had installed the 64 bit version of Vista so use the .exe

[plasticflower]

I use WinRAR with no problems. It's free to download from rarlabs. It will nag you to buy it but cancel the request, if you so wish, and carry on using it!

RARlabs for explanation on how to extract rar files.

Download here at the very top of the page download either of the 32 or 64 bit 'Trial' versions. Remember you do not need to pay to continue using it!

[Rupert49]

I use WinRAR with no problems. It's free to download from rarlabs. It will nag you to buy it but cancel the request, if you so wish, and carry on using it!

RARlabs for explanation on how to extract rar files.

Download here at the very top of the page download either of the 32 or 64 bit 'Trial' versions. Remember you do not need to pay to continue using it!

Thank you!