How does WinRAR work?

[Kumagoro]

Okay, I downloaded a computer game, and it was a .rar file. I downloaded WinRAR so I could open it, but I don't know how it works or what it does. I'm so computer illiterate! @_@

[Mr. SmartyPants]

its basically like a zip extension, only with a higher compression rate.

To unrar it, go to http://www.rarlabs.com and download winrar.

[Slater]

for any game to work, you have to extract it to it's own directory.

[everdred12a]

Okay, I'm going to assume that you downloaded the *whole* game, right?

Well, first thing's first. Find a folder you want to install it in. Best bet might be somewhere in Program Files, or maybe My Documents, or even the Desktop. Move the .rar file to the directory you want to instal it in (I'll use the deskotp). So, have your .rar on the desktop, then right click it. Now, you can choose 'Extract Files Here', 'Extract To (name of .rar file)', or Extract Files To...'. Extract Here unrars all the files on teh desktop. I don't recommend doing this unless the .rar is in its own folder on the desktop. 'Extract To (name of rar file)' makes a new folder that has the same name as the .rar file and extracts the files into it. 'Extract Files To...' basically opens a browser (like when you choose 'Save As' in Word or something) and lets you pick a directory to install it to. Your best bet is with 'Extract To (name of rar file).

I hope that helps, and if it doesn't I'll do my best to clear it up!

[Kumagoro]

Thanks, everdred, that really helped! I think I understand it pretty good now.

[everdred12a]

Not a problem xD I don't know everything about Winrar, that's for sure. But if you have problems with it again, let me know and I'll do my best to help you out.