Looking for a free RAR installer

I'm looking for a free rar file unzipper that works and doesn't take over my computer.

I DL'd one the other day to unzip an rar file and it unzipped the file just fine. I stored it in a folder for unloading to my DAW later. Next day, I turned on the computer and this RAR-unzipper had taken over the computer....changed my homepage, installed new tool bars, and the worse thing was.... it would not allow me to log on to this forum.

So I tried a viral scan, that wouldn't run.....I'm thinking Oh &^#*! anyway, I did a system restore before the DL and everything is back to normal..... BUT... the DLL file in the rar-unzip folder is gone..... SO... I need to unzip it again BUT I damn sure don't want to use that same unzipper.

Any recommendations ?

jZip for me.

Which one had the problem, so we can avoid it?

I bought WinRAR years ago and haven't had to pay for an update since. It's very unobtrusive, but handy in that it installs the useful "extract" or "add to archive" items in the pop-up menu. It also handles lots of other file types like zip, 7z, iso, and so forth.

I've also used 7-Zip which is free and good, but I'm just very comfortable with WinRAR.

I've used 7zip for quite awhile and I believe it can handle RAR's, Herb.

Om@S


+1 for 7zip too. Great freeware.

ditto


Tap - yep it does also unzip rar

I've been using WinRar for years. No issues. It's say it's a trial, but it works forever.

The WinRar version I use is 3.90, but the newer (free) version must be just as good.

7-zip is free, works with 32 and 64 bit, and is great with zip and rar.

Been using it for a few years now, and it's never failed to open a file (that I can remember).

One of the few apps I have absolutely no reservations about  recommending. 

With all due respect to those recommending WINRAR... OP asked for a free rar installer.

Winrar is not free (unless you happen to get it with some special promotion). 

And since there are many excellent free apps that do the same thing, there's no need to go down the road of using "trials that continue to work past their expiration" or some equivalent. 

SeveredVesper


@JonD

WinRAR IS free.
Even when your license expries, the only thing that will happen is you get a nag screen that you can easily cancel, still with the full features of WinRAR.

I think you're mistaking "works with a nag screen" for "free".

Here's what it says on the WINRAR site:

"WinRAR is shareware, meaning you have the chance to thoroughly test it. The program can be used absolutely free of charge for 40 days!"

Maybe I'm interpreting this the wrong way, but it really doesn't seem ambiguous to me.  

(Just to give you another example of a dev using the "honor system"... Reaper has a fully functioning demo - never expires - but it's not free.  And guess what?  They have to keep explaining this over and over again, because some folks assume that if the program doesn't lock or expire, that means it's free.  It isn't, and that's just one example).

Back to Winrar -- I think the fact that they charge $29 for it in their shop - and the word "donation" is nowhere to be found, means they expect you to pay that sum after 40 days.

Honestly, it seems simple to me.  And since I don't want this to turn into a "Warez" kind of argument, I'll leave it at that.

Guitarhacker


I'm looking for a free rar file unzipper that works and doesn't take over my computer.

I DL'd one the other day to unzip an rar file and it unzipped the file just fine. I stored it in a folder for unloading to my DAW later. Next day, I turned on the computer and this RAR-unzipper had taken over the computer....changed my homepage, installed new tool bars, and the worse thing was.... it would not allow me to log on to this forum.

So I tried a viral scan, that wouldn't run.....I'm thinking Oh &^#*! anyway, I did a system restore before the DL and everything is back to normal..... BUT... the DLL file in the rar-unzip folder is gone..... SO... I need to unzip it again BUT I damn sure don't want to use that same unzipper.

Any recommendations ?

hey did you have anti virus running and it just didnt catch it?..and is it possible you post which one it was so i dont get it? i need one too.
thanks man.   :)

I assume your problem is not actual anymore but I can't stop myself from recommending B1 Free Archiver - you may download it here http://b1.org. It's 100% free, unzips .zip, .rar files and is clean from viruses or any crapware which might come along. Try it, you might like it.

http://www.filehippo.com/software/archiving/

I use either 7zip or tugzip

RAR installer is power tool to zip or compress any file, folder or some other document.its compress the size of file as its original file.its very useful tool.