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WinRAR 3.62
Price: $29 (around £15)

Features
Performance
Ease of use
Value for money
Overall

Reviewed By: Mark Wilson

This review updated: 15/02/2007
Featured in magazine:
Issue 155
Manufacturer Contacts:
Supplier: Rarlab
Web Address: www.rarlab.com


With support for a wide range of compression formats, including the ubiquitous ZIP as well as RAR, ISO and CAB, WinRAR doesn't leave you short of options (for a guide to different formats, visit www.webuser.co.uk/compression). The program encourages you to make use of its native RAR format, and not without good reason. Although it depends largely on the types of file which are being compressed, RARs tend to be significantly smaller than ZIPs containing the same files. On the security front, files can also be password protected and encrypted.

A couple of years ago it would have been hard to recommend using the RAR format to send files as few people had the tools necessary to decompress the archive. But WinRAR has increased in popularity thanks to its excellent format support and wide range of options. The program may appear to be initially daunting, but the inclusion of a wizard makes it accessible to everyone.

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