Unrar as standalone extraction utility

[0v3rload]

Hello,

Can unrar.exe (part of WinRAR) be used to extract files on a system that may not have WinRAR installed (and registered)?

I am aware this has been asked before, at least one time in this forum, however the replies the OPs got did not convince me. Since I have to create a compressed install package and send it out still today without testing it properly, I'd like to know if someone out there knows for sure if unrar.exe can be safely used as a standalone extraction utility.

Best Regards,

- Mike

[jaclaz]

Sorry if I seem not to reply to you properly, but the point, as I see it, is WHY the need to use unrar.exe at all?

I mean, if you own a License for WinRar, you can well create a self-extracting .exe, thus no need to use unrar.exe at all.

On the other hand, why using WinRar at all?

7-zip has very similar compression capabilities as compared to WinRar (much better than good ol' .zip format) and is Freeware, and has as well very good self-extracting modules, included the modified (and bettered) ones here:

http://www.msfn.org/board/7z-SFX-Modified-...ls-t101552.html

However, I can confirm that the unrar.exe Freeware contained in Self-extracting archive unrarw32.exe:

http://www.rarlab.com/rar/unrarw32.exe

works perfectly on 32 bit XP and Windows 2K

More versions for 64 bit are here:

http://www.rarlab.com/rar_add.htm

where you can find also provisions for including the program in VB, Delphi, etc. projects.

jaclaz

Edited March 14, 2008 by jaclaz

[0v3rload]

You're absolutely right. Went with 7z and even managed to further reduce the final packaged file!

Thanks mucho!

[jaclaz]

Happy to hear a report of success!

jaclaz

[j7n]

DOS UnRAR could prove useful in some cases. I recently used RAR format to transfer an operating system to another computer using diskettes.

Of course UnRar is free. It can be downloaded for various operating systems from Rar homepage.