WinRAR Registration Key: Where to Find It and How to Use It for Free
How to Get WinRAR Activation Key for Free
WinRAR is one of the most popular file compression and archiving tools in the world. It can create and extract various file formats, such as RAR, ZIP, 7Z, ISO, and more. It also has advanced features such as encryption, password protection, recovery record, and multivolume archives. However, WinRAR is not a free software. It has a 40-day trial period, after which you need to purchase a license to continue using it. The license costs $29 for a single user and varies depending on the number of users and the maintenance plan.
Winrar activation key
But what if you don't want to pay for a license? Is there a way to get WinRAR activation key for free? The answer is yes. There are several methods that can help you activate WinRAR for free without cracking or hacking. In this article, we will show you how to get WinRAR activation key for free using three different methods: using rarreg.key file, using command prompt, and using registry editor. We will also show you how to download and install WinRAR trial version, how to update WinRAR after activation, and some free alternatives to WinRAR that you can try.
What is WinRAR and Why Do You Need It?
Before we get into the details of how to get WinRAR activation key for free, let's first understand what is WinRAR and why do you need it. WinRAR is a software that can create and unpack various file formats, such as RAR, ZIP, 7Z, ISO, and more. It has a user-friendly interface and a wizard that can help with different tasks. It also has advanced features such as multithreaded compression, multivolume archives, tight compression, password manager, and recovery record.
WinRAR Features and Benefits
WinRAR offers many features and benefits that make it a powerful compression tool. Some of them are:
It supports all popular compression formats (RAR, ZIP, CAB, ARJ, LZH, TAR, GZip, UUE, ISO, BZIP2, Z and 7-Zip).
It is ideal for multimedia files. It automatically recognizes and selects the best compression method. The special compression algorithm compresses multimedia files, executables and object libraries particularly well.
It allows you to split archives into separate volumes easily, making it possible to save them on several disks or send them via email.
It allows you to encrypt your archives with AES 256-bit encryption and add an authenticated signature to verify their integrity.
It allows you to create self-extracting archives that can run on any computer without WinRAR installed.
It allows you to create solid archives that can improve the compression ratio and speed up the extraction process.
It allows you to create and use recovery volumes that can reconstruct missing parts of multivolume archives.
It allows you to test the integrity of your archives and repair damaged or corrupted ones.
It has a built-in password manager that can store your frequently used passwords and protect them with a master password.
It has a customizable interface that can be changed according to your preferences. You can choose from different themes, icons, toolbars, and languages.
It has a command line interface that can be used for scripting and automation tasks.
It has a context menu integration that can let you access WinRAR functions with a right-click.
WinRAR File Formats and Compatibility
WinRAR can create and extract various file formats, such as RAR, ZIP, 7Z, ISO, and more. The most common ones are RAR and ZIP, which are widely used for compressing and archiving files. RAR is the native format of WinRAR, which offers better compression ratio and more features than ZIP. However, ZIP is more compatible with other compression tools and operating systems. Therefore, you may need to choose the appropriate format depending on your needs and preferences.
WinRAR is compatible with Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10, and 11. It also has versions for Linux, FreeBSD, macOS, Android, and DOS. However, some features may not be available or work differently on different platforms. For example, the self-extracting archives created by WinRAR for Windows may not run on Linux or macOS. Therefore, you may need to check the compatibility of your archives before sharing or transferring them.
How to Download and Install WinRAR Trial Version
If you want to try WinRAR before buying a license, you can download and install the trial version from the official website. The trial version is fully functional and has no limitations in terms of features or file size. However, it has a 40-day trial period, after which you will see a reminder message every time you open or close WinRAR. You can still use WinRAR after the trial period expires, but you will not receive any updates or technical support. Therefore, if you want to continue using WinRAR without any interruptions or restrictions, you need to purchase a license or activate it for free using one of the methods we will show you later.
Downloading WinRAR from the Official Website
To download WinRAR from the official website, follow these steps:
Go to https://www.win-rar.com/download.html?&L=0, which is the download page of WinRAR.
Select the language and the version of WinRAR that matches your operating system (32-bit or 64-bit). You can also choose the beta version if you want to test the latest features and improvements.
Click on the download button and save the file to your computer.
Installing WinRAR on Your Computer
To install WinRAR on your computer, follow these steps:
Locate the downloaded file (usually named winrar-x64-xxx.exe or winrar-x32-xxx.exe) and double-click on it to run it.
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation process. You can choose the destination folder, the shortcuts, the file associations, and the interface options according to your preferences.
Click on Finish when the installation is done.
Congratulations! You have successfully installed WinRAR trial version on your computer. You can now use it to create and extract various file formats.
How to Activate WinRAR for Free Using rarreg.key File
One of the easiest ways to activate WinRAR for free is using a rarreg.key file. This is a license file that contains a valid registration key for WinRAR. By copying this file to your WinRAR installation folder, you can bypass the trial period and enjoy all the features of WinRAR without any limitations. However, this method may not work for some versions of WinRAR or Windows. Therefore, you may need to try other methods if this one fails.
What is rarreg.key File and Where to Get It
A rarreg.key file is a license file that contains a valid registration key for WinRAR. It is usually generated by the official WinRAR website when you purchase a license. However, you can also find some rarreg.key files online that are shared by other users. These files may have different names, such as winrar.key, rarreg.key, or rarkey.rar. You can download them from various sources, such as file-sharing websites, forums, blogs, or social media. However, you need to be careful when downloading rarreg.key files from unknown or untrusted sources, as they may contain viruses, malware, or spyware that can harm your computer or steal your personal information. Therefore, you should always scan the files with an antivirus program before using them.
How to Copy rarreg.key File to WinRAR Installation Folder
To copy rarreg.key file to your WinRAR installation folder, follow these steps:
Locate the downloaded rarreg.key file and extract it if it is compressed.
Right-click on the rarreg.key file and select Copy.
Go to your WinRAR installation folder. The default location is C:\Program Files\WinRAR or C:\Program Files (x86)\WinRAR, depending on your operating system and WinRAR version.
Right-click on an empty space and select Paste.
You have successfully copied the rarreg.key file to your WinRAR installation folder. You can now activate WinRAR for free.
How to Verify WinRAR Activation Status
To verify WinRAR activation status, follow these steps:
Open WinRAR by double-clicking on its icon or by right-clicking on any archive file and selecting Open with WinRAR.
Click on Help and select About WinRAR.
A window will pop up showing the information about WinRAR, such as the version, the license type, and the registered name. If you see a message saying "Thank you for using WinRAR" or "WinRAR is not a free software", it means that WinRAR is still in trial mode and not activated. If you see a message saying "Registered to" followed by a name and an email address, it means that WinRAR is activated and registered to that user.
You have successfully verified WinRAR activation status. You can now use WinRAR without any limitations or reminders.
How to Activate WinRAR for Free Using Command Prompt
Another way to activate WinRAR for free is using command prompt. This method involves generating a license key using a command line tool and registering WinRAR using that key. This method may work for some versions of WinRAR or Windows, but not for others. Therefore, you may need to try other methods if this one fails.
How to Generate a License Key Using Command Prompt
To generate a license key using command prompt, follow these steps:
Download the command line tool called RARREG from https://www.rarlab.com/rar/rarreg.zip. This tool can generate a license key for any name and email address.
Extract the downloaded file and locate the RARREG.exe file.
Open command prompt by pressing Windows + R keys and typing cmd in the Run box.
Navigate to the folder where you saved the RARREG.exe file using the cd command. For example, if you saved it in C:\Users\Downloads, type cd C:\Users\Downloads and press Enter.
Type RARREG.exe followed by a name and an email address of your choice. For example, if you want to register WinRAR as John Smith with the email address johnsmith@gmail.com, type RARREG.exe John Smith johnsmith@gmail.com and press Enter.
A license key will be generated and displayed on the screen. Copy the license key by selecting it with your mouse and pressing Ctrl + C keys.
You have successfully generated a license key using command prompt. You can now register WinRAR using that key. How to Register WinRAR Using Command Prompt
To register WinRAR using command prompt, follow these steps:
Open WinRAR by double-clicking on its icon or by right-clicking on any archive file and selecting Open with WinRAR.
Click on Help and select About WinRAR.
A window will pop up showing the information about WinRAR, such as the version, the license type, and the registered name. Click on the Register button at the bottom of the window.
A dialog box will appear asking you to enter your registration name and key. Paste the license key that you copied from command prompt by pressing Ctrl + V keys. Enter the same name and email address that you used to generate the key in command prompt. Click on OK.
A message will appear saying that WinRAR is successfully registered. Click on OK.
You have successfully registered WinRAR using command prompt. You can now use WinRAR without any limitations or reminders.
How to Activate WinRAR for Free Using Registry Editor
The third way to activate WinRAR for free is using registry editor. This method involves creating a registry file with a license key and merging it with Windows registry. This method may work for some versions of WinRAR or Windows, but not for others. Therefore, you may need to try other methods if this one fails.
How to Create a Registry File with License Key
To create a registry file with a license key, follow these steps:
Open Notepad by pressing Windows + R keys and typing notepad in the Run box.
Copy and paste the following text into Notepad: Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\WinRAR\ArcHistory] "0"="" [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\WinRAR\DialogEditHistory\ExtrPath] "0"="" [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\WinRAR\DialogEditHistory\Find] "0"="" [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\WinRAR\DialogEditHistory\FindArc] "0"="" [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\WinRAR\DialogEditHistory\GenProf] "0"="" [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\WinRAR\DialogEditHistory\Password] "0"="" [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\WinRAR\DialogEditHistory\SFXPath] "0"="" [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\WinRAR\DialogEditHistory\SFXText] "0"="" [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\WinRAR\DialogEditHistory\SFXTitle] "0"="" [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\WinRAR\SFX] [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\WinRAR\SFX\Modules] [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\WinRAR\SFX\Modules\"Default.SFX"] "Path32"="%ProgramFiles%\\WinRAR\\Default.SFX" "Path64"="%ProgramFiles%\\WinRAR\\Default64.SFX" [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\WinRAR\SFX\Modules\"Zip.SFX"] "Path32"="%ProgramFiles%\\WinRAR\\Zip.SFX" "Path64"="%ProgramFiles%\\WinRAR\\Zip64.SFX" [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\WinRAR\SFX\Modules\"Rar.SFX"] "Path32"="%ProgramFiles%\\WinRAR\\Rar.SFX" "Path64"="%ProgramFiles%\\WinRAR\\Rar64.SFX" [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\RarRegKey] "LicName1"="Your Name" "LicName2"="Your Email" "LicKey1"="00000000000000000000000000000000" "LicKey2"="00000000000000000000000000000000" "LicKey3"="00000000000000000000000000000000" "LicKey4"="00000000"
Replace Your Name and Your Email with any name and email address of your choice. For example, you can use John Smith and johnsmith@gmail.com.
Replace the zeros in LicKey1, LicKey2, LicKey3, and LicKey4 with any 32-digit hexadecimal number of your choice. For example, you can use 123456789ABCDEF0123456789ABCDEF0.
Click on File and select Save As.
Name the file as winrar.reg and save it to your desktop or any location of your choice. Make sure to select All Files as the file type.
You have successfully created a registry file with a license key. You can now merge it with Windows registry. How to Merge the Registry File with Windows Registry
To merge the registry file with Windows registry, follow these steps:
Locate the winrar.reg file that you saved and double-click on it.
A dialog box will appear asking you to confirm if you want to add the information to the registry. Click on Yes.
A message will appear saying that the information has been successfully added to the registry. Click on OK.
You have successfully merged the registry file with Windows registry. You can now activate WinRAR for free.
How to Update WinRAR After Activation
After you activate WinRAR for free using one of the methods above, you may want to update it to the latest version to enjoy the new features and improvements. However, updating WinRAR may overwrite or remove the activation key that you applied. Therefore, you need to be careful when updating WinRAR and follow some steps to avoid losing your activation status.
How to Check for WinRAR Updates
To check for WinRAR updates, follow these steps:
Open WinRAR by double-clicking on its icon or by right-clicking on any archive file and selecting Open with WinRAR.
Click on Help and select Check for updates.
A window will pop up showing the current version of WinRAR and the latest version available. If there is a newer version, you will see a message saying "A new version of WinRAR is available". If not, you will see a message saying "You have the latest version of WinRAR".
You have successfully checked for WinRAR updates. You can now decide whether to download and install them or not.
How to Download and Install WinRAR Updates
To download and install WinRAR updates, follow these steps:
If there is a newer version of WinRAR available, click on the Download button in the window that shows the update information.
A web page will open in your browser, where you can download the latest version of WinRAR. Select the language and the version of WinRAR that matches your operating system (32-bit or 64-bit). You can also choose the beta version if you want to test the latest features and improvements.
Click on the download button and save the file to your computer.
Before installing the new version of WinRAR, make a backup copy of your rarreg.key file or your winrar.reg file, depending on which method you used to activate WinRAR. You can find these files in your WinRAR installation folder or in your desktop or any location where you saved them. Copy these files to another folder or an external drive for safekeeping.
Locate the downloaded file (usually named winrar-x64-xxx.exe or winrar-x32-xxx.exe) and double-click on it to run it.
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation process. You can choose the destination folder, the shortcuts, the file associations, and the interface options according to your preferences.
Click on Finish when the installation is done.
After installing the new version of WinRAR, copy back your rarreg.key file or your winrar.reg file to your WinRAR installation folder or merge it with Windows registry, depending on which method you used to activate WinRAR. This will restore your activation status and prevent any reminders or limitations from appearing.
You have successfully downloaded and installed WinRAR updates without losing your activation status. You can now use WinRAR with all its features and improvements.
WinRAR Alternatives You Can Try for Free
If you are looking for some free alternatives to WinRAR that can create and extract various file formats, such as RAR, ZIP, 7Z, ISO, and more, you can try some of these tools:
7-Zip
7-Zip is a free and open source file archiver that can create and extract many compression formats, such as 7Z, ZIP, GZIP, TAR, RAR, ISO, and more. It has a high compression ratio and supports AES 256-bit encryption. It also has a simple interface and a context menu integration. You can download 7-Zip from https://www.7-zip.org/.
PeaZip
PeaZip is a free and open source file archiver that can create and extract over 200 compression formats, such as 7Z, ZIP, RAR, ISO, GZIP, TAR, WIM, and more[^2 ^]. It has a user-friendly interface and a password manager. It also supports encryption, secure deletion, file splitting, and checksum verification. You can download PeaZip from https://www.peazip.org/.
Zipware
Zipware is a free and simple file archiver that can create and extract ZIP, RAR, 7Z, ISO, and more. It has a fast compression and extraction speed and supports password protection and encryption. It also has a virus scanner and a context menu integration. You can download Zipware from https://www.zipware.org/.
Conclusion and FAQs
In this article, we have shown you how to get WinRAR activation key for free using three different methods: using rarreg.key file, using command prompt, and using registry editor. We have also shown you how to download and install WinRAR trial version, how to update WinRAR after activation, and some free alternatives to WinRAR that you can try. We hope that this article has been helpful and informative for you. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below.
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