CNET Editors' review
RAR Expander is a free utility for expanding archive files with the .rar format (typically received from PC users). The Mac OS used to come bundled with software that could expand .rar files, but now you need to install a separate program--such as RAR Expander--if you need to work with them.
RAR Expander doesn't have a particularly pretty interface, but it expands files quickly and reliably. All you have to do is choose Expand from the app's File menu (which is the only command in the app's File menu), browse to find the .rar archive that you want to expand, and hit return. RAR Expander will prompt you for where you want to expand the file, or you can set the preferences to handle this automatically--and the preferences can also determine whether RAR Expander creates a surrounding folder, checks for updates, or beeps on completion. This app also comes with rudimentary AppleScript support, along with two sample scripts.
There are other free .rar utilities that have slightly more functionality (such as the ability to restore corrupted archives), but RAR Expander can handle most simple expanding tasks.
Publisher's Description
From Kris Gybels:
RAR Expander is a simple GUI utility for expanding RAR archives on OSX. It uses the official unrar system internally for full compatability with WinRAR, and includes support for expanding multi-volume and password-protected RAR archives. It also supports AppleScript and includes example scripts for easily expanding multiple RAR archives at once.
What's new in this version:
- Fix for crashes on Intel macs
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All versions:
4.1 starsout of 21 votes
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Current version:
4.1 starsout of 20 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Quite good soft"
Version: RAR Expander 0.8.4
Pros
quickly
reliably
free
simpleCons
boring interface
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"Not needed. OS X does this by default."
Version: RAR Expander 0.8.4
Pros
None, none, none,
Cons
Not needed. OS X does this by default.
Summary
Useless.
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"can't extract this file"
Version: RAR Expander 0.8.4
Pros
how to use this?? i really need it
Cons
i don't test it yet. im new to mac
Summary
i really need it
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"good thanks for free"
Version: RAR Expander 0.8.4
Pros
Pros: Efficient, free, fast for user
Cons
None to speak of.
Summary
will recommend to another
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"Good for casual use"
Version: RAR Expander 0.8.4
Pros
Works as advertised for most rar files
Cons
Has issues with certain encrypted rars, as well as really large archives
Summary
If you just want to extract a couple of regular rar archives, this will get the job done.
However, it has issues with some encrypted archives, and often crashes with really large archives ( 10+ gb ). For those fringe cases, I usually end up using Entropy Archiver. -
"Simple and easy. Oh, and it worked."
Version: RAR Expander 0.8.4
Pros
Efficient, free, fast.
Cons
None to speak of.
Summary
Would recommend trying if nothing else.
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"Impossible to do without"
Version: RAR Expander 0.8.4
Pros
Almost always does the job
Cons
No real disadvantages
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"Didn't work"
Version: RAR Expander 0.8.4
Pros
Nothing to say
Cons
Didn't work on my MBP
Summary
Didn't work
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"I have not used this enough to fully comment."
Version: RAR Expander 0.8.4
Pros
No comment
Cons
No comment
Summary
No comment
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"Expands RAR files as advertised"
Version: RAR Expander 0.8.4
Pros
It's Free!
Cons
None so far.
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