Multimedia files
In addition to supporting common file formats such as ZIP and LZH, it also enables compression in the “RAR” format (WinRAR’s proprietary format), which boasts a higher compression rate than ZIP. This proves particularly effective for compressing multimedia files.
RAR Compression
Optimises RAR’s standard compression algorithm to utilise multiple processor cores more efficiently.
To prioritise minimal data size over speed, this can be specified via the ‘Advanced Compression Parameters’ dialogue.
Additionally, the compression state can be selected as the default setting via the ‘Default Compression Profile’.
ZIP Compression
New support for multi-core processors significantly improves performance in multi-core environments.
The memory required for ZIP compression has increased to 15 MB, resulting in faster processing speeds.
Creating Self-Extracting Archives
Using WinRAR, you can create archives in self-extracting format.
This allows the archive to be extracted even on computers without compression/decompression software installed.
—Self-Extracting Archive Options—
- Specify extraction destination
- Specify files to run before/after extraction
- Specify dialogue title and text
- Specify icon and logo
- Display licence text
- Add shortcuts to desktop, Start menu, and startup
Recovery Record
When compressing in RAR format, adding a recovery record to the archive enables repair even if part of the archive becomes corrupted.
The size can be specified as 1–10% of the archive file; a larger value increases the repair success rate.
—Key Features—
- Multi-volume archives
- Integration with anti-virus software
- Command line execution
- Estimation of compression ratio and time
- Password addition
- Solid compression (RAR format only)
- Archive locking (RAR format only)
- Unicode filename support
WinRAR has received numerous international awards
