.rar File — RAR Archive

RAR (Roshal Archive) is a proprietary archive format created by Eugene Roshal in 1993. RAR typically achieves better compression ratios than ZIP, particularly for large files and specific data types, through its use of a dictionary-based algorithm with solid compression mode that treats multiple files as a continuous data stream. RAR5, the current version, uses AES-256 encryption with key strengthening, supports archive volumes for splitting across multiple files, includes recovery records for repairing damaged archives, and provides BLAKE2 checksums for data integrity verification. RAR has historically been the dominant archive format in file-sharing communities, scene releases, and Usenet due to its superior compression, split archive support, and recovery capabilities. WinRAR, the primary RAR creation tool, is shareware with an infamously lenient trial policy. While RAR creation requires WinRAR or the rar command-line tool, extraction is supported by many free tools including 7-Zip, PeaZip, and The Unarchiver. RAR's market share has declined as 7z and Zstandard offer competitive or better compression without proprietary licensing.