.RAR auto extraction?

[juststarting]

Any way to set up WinRAR so it will extract to same location as original file when double-clicking a compressed file?

On a Mac using Stuffit, we just double-click the compressed file and it extracts to the same location as the original compressed file, whether it be a folder or desktop.

Any way to tell WinRAR to extract automatically to the same location when double-clicking the original compressed file without the extra windows showing up with destination path, etc.? Some people don't know what to do when these windows show up and the files end up "Who knows where?"

Any way to tell 7-Zip to do the same just by double-clicking the compressed file?

Thanks

[guns1inger]

Right-click and you should get a series of options in the pop-up menu including extract here, and extract to

[redwudz]

Right click the compressed file and select from the drop down menu, 'Extract to (filename)\'. and it will make a extracted file with the same name as the original .rar file in the same location. Or use 'Extract Here' from the same menu.

[juststarting]

No way to make those extra steps automatic? Some of our users will have a problem with paths (because so many choices show up), unless they have used it before. Any script, etc. that could be added to the program that would make it automatically extract to same original location once the original compressed file is double clicked?

[redwudz]

I don't know if it can be done with .rar files, but you can make self-extracting zip files. Here's a few links:

http://www.winzip.com/prodpagese.htm

http://www.chilkatsoft.com/ChilkatSfx.asp

http://www.ehow.com/how_9339_create-self-extracting.html

The advantage is that the person doesn't need Winzip or similar installed on their computer.

[Squash]

Self-extracting files can be made using WinRAR as well as with zip, and they can be made to extract to any location one wants. One disadvantage to this approach might be that the files have an extension of .exe, so if you're distributing the files via email or usenet some people might get nervous.

Anyway, to do this in WinRAR (I'm using 3.70): open WinRAR and select the desired files/folders, then click "Add Files to Archive" (Alt+A); or if you've got the shell extensions active, just select them in Windows Explorer and right-click, then choose "Add to archive..." from the context menu.

In the window that pops up ("Archive name and parameters", "General" tab), give the archive file a name, then, in the "Archiving options" area, put a check in the "Create SFX archive" box. Then click on the "Advanced" tab at the top.

Here, click on the "SFX options..." button. In this "Advanced SFX options", "General" tab window, you can specify an absolute path to extract to by typing it in the box, or you can opt to create the path under "Program Files", or you can extract into the current folder. The "Save and restore paths" option on this page should already be checked by default. There's also an option to run a setup program after extraction if you need to.

Now, if you want, you can click on the "Modes" tab at the top. In the "Silent mode" section, if you use the default "Display all" option, then when double-clicking the archive, the user will see a confirmation window and will need to click on it before extraction. With the "Hide start dialog" option, the user will briefly see a window on screen while the files unpack. With the third option, "Hide all", the user will see nothing happen.

[juststarting]

Thanks for all the information. I'm familiar with creating self-extracting files, was more concerned with extracting files that were not.

Wanted to know if possible just to double click and have WinRar extract to same location as orig file without ANY winrar steps in between.

With Stuffit, just double click and next thing you see is your file unstuffed in same location as orig file. Was hoping WinRar had same settings somewhere, or even 7-Zip.

Thanks again.

[AlanHK]

With Stuffit, just double click and next thing you see is your file unstuffed in same location as orig file. Was hoping WinRar had same settings somewhere, or even 7-Zip.

Try Stuffit for Windows perhaps. http://www.stuffit.com/win/expander/index.html
I don't know what its default behaviour with RAR files is, though it claims to be able to open them.

Otherwise, you could write a little registry script to change the Explorer default behaviour for RAR files, "open", to "expand here". You would have to get everyone to run this, and their security settings might complain.