RARLAB's RAR is an all-in-one, original, free, simple, easy and quick compression program, archiver, backup tool, extractor and even a basic file manager.
RAR (Roshal Archive) is a popular file compression format used to compress and archive files into a single, smaller file for easier storage or sharing. Developed by Eugene Roshal, the RAR format is known for its high compression ratio and ability to handle large files.
Key Features of RAR:
1. High Compression Ratio:
RAR files typically offer better compression than ZIP files, reducing file sizes more efficiently while preserving file quality.
2. Multi-Volume Archives:
RAR supports multi-volume archives, allowing large files to be split into smaller parts for easier transfer or storage.
3. Error Recovery:
RAR archives can include error recovery records, helping to repair damaged archives and recover files from corrupted archives.
4. Password Protection and Encryption:
RAR files can be password-protected and encrypted for secure file storage and sharing, preventing unauthorized access to sensitive information.
5. Support for Various File Types:
RAR files can store a wide variety of file types, including text documents, images, videos, software, and more.
6. File Spanning:
RAR can span archives across multiple disks or storage devices, making it convenient for transferring large amounts of data.
Tools to Open RAR Files:
WinRAR: The official software to create and open RAR files.
7-Zip: A free alternative that can extract RAR files.
PeaZip: Another free tool that supports RAR files.
RAR is widely used for compressing files for storage or sharing, providing a compact and secure way to manage large files.