TL;DR: Download winrar-x64-720.exe → run installer → click Install → click OK. Done. Full step-by-step guide with screenshots below.
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WinRAR archive icon — install WinRAR on Windows

How to Download and Install WinRAR on Windows

Free WinRAR Download from the Official Website — Windows 10 & 11

This complete WinRAR installation guide walks you through every step — from choosing the right version to opening your first RAR file. All download links go directly to the official win-rar.com servers. No bundled software, no redirects, no viruses.

WinRAR 7.20 is the latest version, fully compatible with Windows 11 and Windows 10 (both 32-bit and 64-bit). The installer is under 3.5 MB and the entire process takes under two minutes.

Whether you're a first-time user looking for a beginner guide to installing WinRAR, or an IT professional setting up a silent enterprise deployment — this page covers everything. See all download versions →

How to Install WinRAR on Windows 11 Step by Step

Follow these steps to download WinRAR free and install it correctly on any Windows PC. The process is identical for Windows 10 and Windows 11.

1

Choose the Right Version

For most users: select WinRAR 64-bit for Windows. To confirm: open Settings → System → About and check "System type". If it says "64-bit operating system" (it almost certainly does on any PC bought after 2010), the 64-bit version is correct.

Step 1 — Choosing the correct WinRAR version for Windows 10 or Windows 11 download

Select the 64-bit version for any modern Windows PC

⬇ Download WinRAR 64-bit (Windows 10/11)

2

Run the Installer

Locate the downloaded file winrar-x64-720.exe in your Downloads folder and double-click it. Windows will display a User Account Control dialog asking "Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?" — click Yes. This is normal for any legitimate software installer. The WinRAR Setup window will open immediately.

Step 2 — Running the WinRAR installer on Windows, UAC permission dialog

Double-click the .exe and allow administrator access when prompted

3

Select Installation Folder & Click Install

The WinRAR Setup window shows the destination folder (default: C:\Program Files\WinRAR\). You can leave this as-is unless you have a specific reason to change it. Click the Install button. The installation takes 2–5 seconds and requires no further input.

Step 3 — WinRAR Setup window showing installation folder and Install button

Click Install — the default path works for almost all users

4

Configure File Associations & Shell Integration

A configuration window appears with two sections. The top section lists archive formats — check the ones you want WinRAR to open by default (RAR and ZIP are recommended at minimum). The bottom section has options like "Add WinRAR to Desktop", "Add WinRAR to Start Menu", and "Integrate WinRAR into shell" — keep this checked to enable right-click menu access. Click OK.

Step 4 — WinRAR configuration window showing file associations and shell integration options

Check "Integrate WinRAR into shell" to enable right-click menu

5

WinRAR Is Ready — How to Use It After Installation

Installation is complete. Here is how to use WinRAR after installation:

  • Open a RAR or ZIP file: double-click it — WinRAR launches and shows the contents.
  • Extract files: click the Extract To button, choose a folder, click OK.
  • Quick extract: right-click any archive → Extract here (extracts to current folder).
  • Compress files: select files/folders → right-click → Add to archive → choose RAR or ZIP → click OK.
  • Password-protect: in the Add to Archive dialog, click Set password and enter your password.
Step 5 — WinRAR open archive window showing how to extract files after installation

WinRAR main window after installation — ready to compress and extract

💡 Enterprise tip: For silent deployment across multiple machines, run winrar-x64-720.exe /S from the command line. Place a pre-configured winrar.ini in the same directory to standardise settings. Deploy rarreg.key to C:\Program Files\WinRAR\ on each machine to activate the commercial licence automatically.

WinRAR Installation Screenshots

Visual reference for each stage of the WinRAR installation process on Windows 10 and Windows 11.

WinRAR Setup window — installation folder selection screen on Windows 11

WinRAR Setup — choose installation path

WinRAR configuration window — file associations and shell integration settings

WinRAR — configure file types and shell integration

WinRAR main window after installation — file extractor software for PC ready to use

WinRAR main window — ready to use

RAR archive icon in Windows Explorer — WinRAR installed and file association set

RAR icon in Windows Explorer

WinRAR Extract dialog — how to extract files after installing WinRAR on Windows

WinRAR extraction dialog

WinRAR Download for Windows 10 & Windows 11 — Quick Reference

Supported Windows Versions

Windows VersionCompatibleRecommended Build
Windows 11 (all editions)✔64-bit 7.20
Windows 10 (all editions)✔64-bit 7.20
Windows 8 / 8.1✔32-bit or 64-bit 7.20
Windows 7 SP1✔32-bit or 64-bit 7.20

Quick Download Links

PlatformDownload
Windows 64-bit (recommended)⬇ Download
Windows 32-bit⬇ Download
macOS⬇ Download
Linux 64-bit⬇ Download

Frequently Asked Questions — WinRAR Installation

Why is WinRAR paid if I can use it for free?
WinRAR operates on a trialware model: it is fully functional for 40 days at no cost. After the trial, a licence costs around $29 USD (one-time, no subscription). However, WinRAR continues to work after the trial with only a reminder window — it is never disabled. Purchasing a licence removes the reminder and supports the developers who have maintained WinRAR since 1993.
Is it safe to download WinRAR for free?
Yes — as long as you download from the official source. All download links on win-rar-app.com point directly to win-rar.com servers operated by win.rar GmbH. The installer is digitally signed, so Windows will display a verified publisher dialog before it runs. Never download WinRAR from third-party sites that offer 'cracked' or 'full' versions — these often contain malware.
How do I know if I need 32-bit or 64-bit WinRAR?
Go to Windows Settings → System → About. Under 'Device specifications', look at 'System type'. If it says '64-bit operating system', download the 64-bit version (winrar-x64-720.exe). Almost every PC bought in the last 10 years is 64-bit. The 64-bit version is faster and handles larger archives more efficiently.
Does installing WinRAR change my file associations?
Only the ones you approve. During installation, WinRAR shows a configuration window listing file types (RAR, ZIP, 7Z, etc.). You can check or uncheck each format. Only the formats you tick will open in WinRAR by default. You can change these associations at any time through WinRAR's Options → Settings → Integration menu.
Can I install WinRAR without administrator rights?
No — a full installation with shell integration requires administrator rights. However, you can run rar.exe and unrar.exe directly from any folder without installation. Just place the executables in your desired directory and run them from the command line. This is useful in restricted enterprise environments.
How do I uninstall WinRAR completely?
Open Windows Settings → Apps → Installed apps, search for WinRAR, click the three dots → Uninstall. Alternatively, run uninstall.exe from the WinRAR installation folder (usually C:\Program Files\WinRAR\). The uninstaller removes all files, registry entries, and shell integration cleanly.
After installing WinRAR, how do I open a RAR file?
Simply double-click any .rar file — WinRAR opens it automatically. You will see the archive contents listed. To extract all files, click the Extract To button in the toolbar and choose a destination folder, then click OK. Alternatively, right-click any .rar file in Windows Explorer and choose 'Extract here' to unpack into the current folder immediately.
Why does WinRAR ask for administrator permission during installation?
WinRAR installs to C:\Program Files\WinRAR\ and writes entries to the Windows registry for shell integration (right-click menu). Both of these operations require administrator privileges on Windows — this is standard for any legitimate software installer. If you see this prompt, it is expected and normal.

How to Configure WinRAR File Associations & Fix Common Issues

To install WinRAR and configure file associations, tick the formats you need (RAR, ZIP, 7Z) in the configuration window during setup. To change them later: open WinRAR → Options → Settings → Integration → select or deselect any format.

Not sure how to use WinRAR after installation as a beginner? It's simple: to open a RAR file on Windows 11, double-click it — WinRAR opens automatically. Click Extract To, choose a folder, click OK. To compress: select files → right-click → Add to archive → pick RAR or ZIP → OK.

If WinRAR won't install on your PC, try these fixes: (1) right-click the installer → Run as administrator; (2) temporarily disable antivirus — it may be blocking the installer incorrectly; (3) download a fresh copy directly from this page in case the file was corrupted during the previous download. To reinstall WinRAR without errors: uninstall it first via Settings → Apps, reboot, then run the installer again.

WinRAR Troubleshooting — Common Installation & Extraction Problems

RAR files not opening after installing WinRAR? File associations were likely skipped. Fix: open WinRAR → Options → Settings → Integration → check RAR and ZIP → OK. Windows will now open those formats in WinRAR automatically.

WinRAR installation error on Windows 10? Insufficient permissions is the most common cause. Right-click the installer → Run as administrator → try again. If blocked by antivirus, temporarily disable it during installation — some engines incorrectly flag archivers. Re-enable immediately after.

WinRAR won't launch after installation? Restart Windows to refresh shell integration. Access denied error? Your account lacks write permission for C:\Program Files\ — run as administrator or choose a different install path. WinRAR not extracting archives? The archive may be damaged. Use Tools → Repair Archive. For multi-part sets, place all volumes in the same folder before extracting.

Download WinRAR Free for Windows 10 & 11 — No Viruses, Official Source

Many users search for a way to download WinRAR free for Windows 11 without viruses. The only safe method is to use the official win-rar.com servers — which is exactly what every link on this page does. No third-party wrappers, no adware, no modified installers. The file you receive is the same digitally-signed binary that win.rar GmbH publishes.

Need a step-by-step WinRAR installation guide for beginners? Scroll up — the five-step walkthrough above covers every screen you will see. For installing WinRAR on Windows 10 from the official website, the process is identical to Windows 11: download → run → Install → OK.

To correctly install WinRAR 64-bit on your PC, confirm your system is 64-bit (Settings → System → About → System type), then download winrar-x64-720.exe. For users who need WinRAR in Russian language for Windows 10: after installation open WinRAR → Options → Settings → Language → select Русский. The Russian interface language is built in — no separate download required.

Install WinRAR Free — WinRAR Setup Tutorial & Download Guide

Looking for a clear WinRAR setup tutorial? This WinRAR installation guide makes it simple to install WinRAR on any Windows 10 or 11 PC. The whole WinRAR download and install process takes under two minutes: pick the 64-bit build, run winrar-x64-720.exe, click Install, then OK. Still unsure how to install WinRAR safely? Every link on this page points to the official win-rar.com servers — no viruses, no bundled software. Follow this free, step-by-step guide and you'll be compressing and extracting RAR and ZIP files in minutes.

Install WinRAR on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android & iOS — Getting Started

Need to install WinRAR on Windows, Mac, or Linux? Each platform has its own package — the Windows .exe plus the Mac and Linux command-line builds — all linked above directly from official win-rar.com servers. Wondering how to install WinRAR on Android or iOS? On Android, get the official RAR app from Google Play; on iOS there is no native build, so open RAR files through a compatible Files-app extractor. Our step by step WinRAR installation guide covers every screen you'll see. For WinRAR setup after installation, tick the formats you want associated (RAR, ZIP) and keep shell integration enabled. Not sure how to start using WinRAR? Right-click any file and choose Add to archive to compress, or double-click any archive to extract. That's all it takes.

Install WinRAR on Windows 11, Mac, Linux — Portable & No-Admin Methods

Need platform-specific steps? Here is how to install WinRAR on Windows 11 step by step: download winrar-x64-720.exe, run it, allow administrator access, click Install, then OK. To install WinRAR on Mac without App Store, download the official rarosx tar.gz from win-rar.com, unpack it, and run the bundled installer in Terminal — it never touches the App Store. For how to install WinRAR on Linux Ubuntu terminal, download the rarlinux tar.gz, run tar -xzf rarlinux-x64-700.tar.gz, then cd rar and sudo cp rar unrar /usr/local/bin. Want a WinRAR install portable version Windows users can run from a USB stick? Use the standalone rar.exe and unrar.exe command-line tools — no setup needed. That same method also shows how to install WinRAR without admin rights Windows usually requires: drop rar.exe and unrar.exe into your user folder and run them directly, since only the full GUI installer needs administrator permission.

Ready? Download WinRAR Free Now

Official installer · 40-day free trial · No registration · Windows 10 & 11 compatible

⬇ Download WinRAR 64-bit — Free

Also available: Windows 32-bit  ·  macOS  ·  Linux