WinRAR is a file archiver utility that can create and view archives in RAR or ZIP file formats, and unpack numerous archive file formats. This article will serve as an informative guide and give you a clear understanding of how to perform a silent installation of WinRAR from the command line using the EXE installer.
How to Install WinRAR Silently
WinRAR 32-bit Silent Install (EXE)
- Navigate to: https://www.rarlab.com/download.htm
- Select the 32-bit version of your choice
- Download the EXE to a folder created at (C:\Downloads)
- Open an Elevated Command Prompt by Right-Clicking on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator
- Navigate to the C:\Downloads folder
- Enter the following command: wrar000.exe /S
- Press Enter
After a few moments you should see the WinRAR shortcut in the Start Menu, Installation Directory, and Programs and Features in the Control Panel.
| Software Title: | WinRAR (32-bit) |
| Vendor: | win.rar GmbH |
| Architecture: | x86 |
| Installer Type: | EXE |
| Silent Install Switch: | wrar000.exe /S |
| Silent Uninstall Switch (32-bit System) | "%ProgramFiles%\WinRAR\uninstall.exe" /S |
| Silent Uninstall Switch (64-bit System) | "%ProgramFiles(x86)%\WinRAR\uninstall.exe" /S |
| Download Link: | https://www.rarlab.com/download.htm |
| PowerShell Script: | WinRAR | PowerShell Script |
| Detection Script: | WinRAR | Custom Detection Script |
WinRAR 64-bit Silent Install (EXE)
- Navigate to: https://www.rarlab.com/download.htm
- Select the 64-bit version of your choice
- Download the EXE to a folder created at (C:\Downloads)
- Open an Elevated Command Prompt by Right-Clicking on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator
- Navigate to the C:\Downloads folder
- Enter the following command: winrar-x64-000.exe /S
- Press Enter
After a few moments you should see the WinRAR shortcut in the Start Menu, Installation Directory, and Programs and Features in the Control Panel.
| Software Title: | WinRAR (64-bit) |
| Vendor: | win.rar GmbH |
| Architecture: | x64 |
| Installer Type: | EXE |
| Silent Install Switch: | winrar-x64-000.exe /S |
| Silent Uninstall Switch: | "%ProgramFiles%\WinRAR\uninstall.exe" /S |
| Download Link: | https://www.rarlab.com/download.htm |
| PowerShell Script: | WinRAR | PowerShell Script |
| Detection Script: | WinRAR | Custom Detection Script |
The information above provides a quick overview of the software title, vendor, silent install, and silent uninstall switches. The download link provided take you directly to the vendors website. Continue reading if you are interested in additional details and configurations.
Additional Configurations
Activate WinRAR License Key During Silent Install
- First you must purchase a valid license from RARLAB
- After a valid purchase, you will receive an email containing the license key file (rarreg.key)
- Navigate to: https://www.rarlab.com/download.htm
- Select the 32-bit or 64-bit version of your choice
- Download the EXE to a folder created at (C:\Downloads)
- Copy the license key file (rarreg.key) to “C:\Downloads”
- Open an Elevated Command Prompt by Right-Clicking on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator
- Navigate to the C:\Downloads folder
- Enter the following command: wrar000.exe /S
- Press Enter
Note: The license key file will automatically get copied from the source directory (C:\Downloads) to the WinRAR installation directory. This will be either “C:\Program Files\WinRAR” or “C:\Program Files (x86)\WinRAR” depending on the WinRAR version (32-bit or 64-bit) and operating system architecture. Special thanks to Johann van Niekerk for the tip!
How to Uninstall WinRAR Silently
Check out the following posts for a scripted solution:
- Open an Elevated Command Prompt by Right-Clicking on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator
- Enter one of the following commands:
WinRAR 32-bit Silent Uninstall (EXE) on 32-bit System
"%ProgramFiles%\WinRAR\uninstall.exe" /S |
WinRAR 32-bit Silent Uninstall (EXE) on 64-bit System
"%ProgramFiles(x86)%\WinRAR\uninstall.exe" /S |
WinRAR 64-bit Silent Uninstall (EXE) on 64-bit System
"%ProgramFiles%\WinRAR\uninstall.exe" /S |
Always make sure to test everything in a development environment prior to implementing anything into production. The information in this article is provided “As Is” without warranty of any kind.