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In this video tutorial I will how you how to easily open RAR and ZIP files without spending a dime on software!

There are two most popular formats for compacted / archived files and they are RAR and ZIP. I got a few inquiring minds asking me how to open RAR and ZIP files so I decided to create a video tutorial on it.

Now there are a myriad of programs out there to handle these popular file formats but I like to, when possible offer good free solutions of applications. Most of the File compression and extraction programs are shareware and cost a fee but we have a solution that isnt.

I love a lean program that’s not large in size and doesn’t take up so much RAM and resources. Today’s application will be no different. It is called 7-Zip! It is the best free file archive and extractor I have ever used to open RAR and ZIP files.

Follow the video and see why 7-Zip is the best tool to open RAR and ZIP files!

Downloads Needed:

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Download 7-Zip
  2. Run the install file and choose the install directory of your choice.
  3. Right-click the archive file(s) you want to extract and choose the 7-Zip option and choose how you want to extract the files.

Now watch the video as I show you how various ways to open RAR and ZIP files, such as multipart, password, in directory, created directory and etc.

VIDEO TUTORIAL [Please View Fullscreen]

More information:

Words from the 7-Zip Creator Igor Pavlov:

7-Zip Official Page

7-Zip is a open source file compactor and extractor. The main features of 7-Zip are:

  • High compression ratio in new 7z format with LZMA compression
  • Supported formats:

    Packing / unpacking: 7z, ZIP, GZIP, BZIP2 and TAR
    Unpacking only: ARJ, CAB, CHM, CPIO, DEB, DMG, HFS, ISO, LZH, LZMA, MSI, NSIS, RAR, RPM, UDF, WIM, XAR and Z.
  • For ZIP and GZIP formats, 7-Zip provides a compression ratio that is 2-10 % better than the ratio provided by PKZip and WinZip.
  • Strong AES-256 encryption in 7z and ZIP formats.
  • Self-extracting capability for 7z format.
  • Integration with Windows Shell.
  • Powerful File Manager.
  • Powerful command line version.
  • Localizations for 74 languages.
  • 7-Zip works in Windows 98/ME/NT/2000/XP/Vista. There is a port of the command line version to Linux/Unix.

What Is A RAR File?
RAR is a file format for file compression, similar to ZIP files. RAR files are compacted archives. An archive in this situation means the file may contain one or more files or folders, much like folders on your hard drive. Compacted means that files have been reduced so that the size of the archive may be much smaller than the size of the files it contains.

In simpler terms, RAR files are a space saving way of storing single files or groups of related files.

RAR files are a derivative of the Zip compression method invented by a Russian programmer Eugene Roshal (hence the name, Roshal Archive.) The RAR format compresses typically around 8 to 30 per cent smaller than Zip archives.

Improvements of the RAR file format over ZIP files include redundancy, which enables damaged archives to be repaired. RAR also supports international character sets, which allows files with non-English filenames to be stored. This gives the RAR format international appeal.

Unlike ZIP, no computer operating system has built-in support to open RAR files. The best free way to open RAR files on Windows is 7-Zip.

What Is A ZIP File?
Zip files are compacted archives. An archive in this situation means the file may contain one or more files or folders, much like folders on your hard drive. Compacted means that files have been reduced so that the size of the archive may be much smaller than the size of the files it contains. ZIP is the name given to the compression technique originally developed by Phil Katz. It is one of the most popular formats albeit not the best compacter of files out there.

In simpler terms, Zip files are a space saving way of storing single files or groups of related files.

Zip files are used because they take up less space to store, and take less time to send or download. They are also a very convenient way to package and send groups of related files. However, the files must be extracted or unzipped from the archive before they can be used. Although some Zip / Unzip applications make it look as though you can open a file directly from a Zip file, in fact they must extract a copy of the file to a temporary storage area and open this temporary copy. Windows cannot open a file or run a program directly from a Zip file.

What Is File Compression?
File compression is a way of making one or more files into a single package that is usually way smaller than the original files.

An example is that you wanted to e-mail a folder full of files to your friend. Instead of attaching the whole folder and all its files to your message as an attachment, you could compress the folder into one archive file and send it away to your friend. You’ll send the e-mail faster due to smaller file size and your friend will download it quicker.

Categories:

7-Zip, Productivity, Troubleshooting, Windows

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