Aside from this caveat, WinRAR is free, and fairly simple to use. So again, if the system is already compromised by a determined intruder, your files are barely secured. The password manager is a handy addition, but stores passwords in plaintext. They do use 128-bit, but if your system is compromised by someone actively searching for sensitive information, 128-bit will be relatively easy to crack.
My primary caveat is the fact that WinRAR does NOT use 256-bit encryption, so sensitive files (banking, contracts, legal information, etc) are at risk. For smaller scale file compression (schoolwork, music, etc), it's easy to use and zips and unzips via a fairly understandable interface. I recommend WinRAR with caveats, depending on the intended use. (downloaded from ) I found a simple download of WinRAR with an easy installation manager interface.
