WinRAR removes completely through your system settings

To delete WinRAR, open your system's built-in uninstall tool, find WinRAR in the list of installed programs, and remove it. The process takes about two minutes and leaves no leftover files on your computer if you follow the standard removal path. On Windows, this means using Settings or Control Panel. On Mac, you drag the WinRAR application to the Trash.

WinRAR is a file compression program that creates and opens .rar and .zip files. Many people install it to handle compressed files they receive, then later decide they no longer need it. Removing it does not affect any compressed files you already have — those files stay on your computer. You just will not be able to open new .rar files with WinRAR after it is gone, though other programs like 7-Zip or the built-in Windows extractor can still open them.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows 10 or 11, go to Settings, find Apps, search for WinRAR, and click Uninstall to remove it completely.
  • On Windows 7 or 8, use Control Panel, Programs and Features, find WinRAR, and click Uninstall.
  • On Mac, open Applications, find WinRAR, and drag it to the Trash, then empty the Trash.
  • Removing WinRAR does not delete any .rar or .zip files you already have — it only removes the program itself.
  • After uninstalling, you can still open compressed files using Windows' built-in extractor or free alternatives like 7-Zip.

How to uninstall WinRAR on Windows 10 or 11

Step 1: Open Settings. Click the Windows Start button in the bottom left corner, then type "Settings" and press Enter. The Settings window opens.

Step 2: Go to Apps. On the left side of Settings, click "Apps" (or "Applications" depending on your Windows version). Then click "Apps and features" or "Installed apps" in the main panel.

Step 3: Find WinRAR. Scroll down the list of installed programs or type "WinRAR" in the search box at the top. When you see WinRAR, click on it once to select it.

Step 4: Click Uninstall. An "Uninstall" button appears next to WinRAR's name. Click it. A confirmation window may appear asking if you are sure — click "Yes" or "Uninstall" to proceed. Windows removes the program, which usually takes 10 to 30 seconds.

Step 5: Restart if prompted. Some versions ask you to restart your computer to finish the removal. If you see this message, click "Restart now" or restart manually later — either way works.

How to uninstall WinRAR on Windows 7 or 8

Step 1: Open Control Panel. Click the Windows Start button, type "Control Panel" in the search box, and press Enter.

Step 2: Go to Programs and Features. In Control Panel, click "Programs" or "Programs and Features" (the exact name varies by Windows version).

Step 3: Find and select WinRAR. Scroll through the list or use the search box to find WinRAR. Click on it once to highlight it.

Step 4: Click Uninstall. At the top of the program list, an "Uninstall" button appears. Click it. Confirm the removal when prompted, and Windows removes the program.

How to uninstall WinRAR on Mac

Step 1: Open Applications. Click the Finder icon in your dock (the blue and white face icon), then click "Applications" in the sidebar on the left.

Step 2: Find WinRAR. Scroll through the Applications folder or use the search box in the top right to find WinRAR.

Step 3: Drag to Trash. Click and hold on the WinRAR icon, then drag it to the Trash icon in your dock (usually on the right side of the dock). Release the mouse button to drop it in the Trash.

Step 4: Empty the Trash. Right-click the Trash icon in your dock and select "Empty Trash." This permanently removes WinRAR from your computer. If you skip this step, WinRAR is still deleted but takes up a small amount of space until you empty the Trash later.

What happens to your files after you uninstall WinRAR

Uninstalling WinRAR does not delete any .rar, .zip, or other compressed files on your computer. Those files remain exactly where they are. You simply lose the ability to open them with WinRAR specifically.

If you try to open a .rar file after uninstalling WinRAR, your computer will either ask you which program to use or show an error. At that point, you can use Windows' built-in extractor (right-click the file and select "Extract All"), download 7-Zip for free, or reinstall WinRAR. The files themselves are not harmed by removing the program.

If WinRAR will not uninstall

Occasionally WinRAR gets stuck and will not uninstall through the normal method. This usually happens if the program is still running in the background. Try closing WinRAR completely first: look for a WinRAR icon in your system tray (bottom right of the screen on Windows), right-click it, and close it. Then try uninstalling again.

If it still will not uninstall, restart your computer and try the uninstall process again immediately after startup, before opening any other programs. A fresh restart often clears whatever is holding the program in place. On Windows, you can also try uninstalling in Safe Mode: restart your computer, hold down Shift while clicking the power button, select "Restart," then go to Troubleshoot, Advanced Options, and Startup Settings, then press 4 or F4 to enter Safe Mode. Then follow the uninstall steps above.

Alternatives if you still need to open compressed files

After removing WinRAR, you have several free options for opening .rar and .zip files. Windows 10 and 11 include a built-in extractor — right-click any .zip file, select "Extract All," choose where to save the files, and click Extract. This works for .zip files but not .rar files.

For .rar files, download 7-Zip, which is free and open-source. Go to 7-zip.org, download the installer for your operating system, run it, and follow the prompts. After installation, right-click any .rar file, hover over "7-Zip," and select "Extract Here" or "Extract to [folder name]." On Mac, you can use The Unarchiver, which is free from the Mac App Store and handles both .rar and .zip files the same way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will uninstalling WinRAR delete my .rar files?

No. Uninstalling WinRAR removes only the program, not the files. Your .rar and .zip files stay on your computer. You just will not be able to open them with WinRAR anymore — you can use 7-Zip, Windows' built-in extractor, or another program instead.

Can I reinstall WinRAR later if I change my mind?

Yes. You can download WinRAR again from the official website (winrar.com) and install it the same way you did originally. There is no penalty for uninstalling and reinstalling.

Does uninstalling WinRAR free up a lot of disk space?

WinRAR takes up roughly 5 to 10 megabytes of space, so uninstalling it frees up a small amount. If you are trying to clear significant space on your computer, removing WinRAR alone will not help much — look for large video or photo files instead.

What if I see WinRAR still running after I uninstall it?

This usually means the uninstall did not complete. Restart your computer and check your installed programs list again. If WinRAR still appears, try uninstalling it again in Safe Mode (Windows) or restart and uninstall immediately after startup before opening other programs.

Is there a difference between uninstalling and deleting WinRAR?

Yes. Uninstalling through Settings or Control Panel removes the program and its associated files cleanly. Simply deleting the WinRAR folder leaves behind settings files and registry entries (on Windows) that can clutter your system. Always use the official uninstall method.