Quick start: archiving files from the WinRAR shell

First, you need to run WinRAR. Double-click or press Enter on the WinRAR icon. You can also start it from the Windows "Start menu": enter "Programs" then "WinRAR" and then run the "WinRAR" item.

When WinRAR is running, it displays a list of files and folders in the current folder. You need to go to the folder, which contains files to archive. You may use Ctrl+D, the disks list below the toolbar or click on the small disk icon in the bottom left corner, to change the current disk. Press BS, Ctrl+PgUp, small "Up" button below the toolbar or double-click on the folder named ".." to go to the parent folder. Press Enter, Ctrl+PgDn or double-click on any other folder to enter that folder. Ctrl+\ sets the root disk folder or folder containing an archive as the current.

When you have entered the folder with the desired files, select files and folders you are going to archive. This can be done with Shift + arrow keys or mouse like in Windows Explorer and other Windows programs. It is also possible to select files in WinRAR with Space or Ins keys. "Numpad +" and "Numpad -" keys on the numeric keypad select file groups using file masks.

After selecting one or more files, click on the Add button at the top of the WinRAR window, press Alt+A or select "Add files to archive" command in the Commands menu. Enter the destination archive name in the appeared dialog box or accept the default name. In this dialog you can choose a new archive format (RAR or ZIP), compression level, volume size and other archiving parameters. This dialog is described in detail in Archive name and parameters dialog topic. Click on the OK button when you are ready to create an archive.

During the archiving process, a window showing operation statistics is displayed. If you wish to break the archiving process, click on the Cancel button in the command window. You may press the "Background" button in this window to minimize WinRAR to the tray. When archiving is completed, the command window disappears and newly created archive becomes the currently selected file.

It is also possible to add files to an existing RAR archive using drag-and-drop. Select the destination archive in WinRAR window and press Enter or double click its name. WinRAR will read the archive and display its contents. Now you can add files to the archive by dragging them from another program and dropping to WinRAR.