How to Activate WinRar

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With WinRAR, you can unzip contents from archived or zipped folders. You can also create your own archived folders, and password protect them. The program is especially useful if you need to disseminate large files over the Internet. The WinRAR software will compress those files to reduce their size and then zip them into a folder. WinRAR is free to download for a trial period, after which you must activate the software to continue to use it.

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Step 1

Launch WinRAR and notice "Evaluation copy" listed near the application title.

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Step 2

Go to RARLab and click on the option to "Buy WinRAR archiver." Click "Order" and enter your personal information and debit or credit card number to complete the purchase. After the purchase is complete, WinRAR will allow you to download the software, if necessary, and email you the registration key.

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Step 3

Log into your email and open the email from WinRAR. Download the attached "WinRAR License" folder to the computer desktop.

Step 4

Right-click on the "WinRAR License" folder. Select "Extract Here." WinRAR will extract the "rarreg.key" file from the folder and copy it to the desktop.

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Step 5

Right-click on the "rarreg.key" file. Select "Copy" from the drop-down menu.

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Step 6

Click on the desktop "Start" menu. Select "Computer" in Windows 7 and Vista.

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Step 7

Double-click on the "C" drive and select the "Program Files" folder. Double-click to open the "WinRar" folder.

Step 8

Right-click in an empty place within the folder and select "Paste." The license key will copy to the WinRAR folder.

Step 9

Launch the WinRAR application and notice that "Evaluation copy" is no longer listed. The program is now activated.

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