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https://github.com/kernferm/winrar

This PowerShell script automates the process of downloading, installing, and adding WinRAR to the system PATH on Windows machines.
https://github.com/kernferm/winrar

installer-script powershell powershell-script windows winrar

Last synced: 28 days ago
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This PowerShell script automates the process of downloading, installing, and adding WinRAR to the system PATH on Windows machines.

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If you find this project useful, please give it a star! Your support is appreciated and helps keep the project growing. 🌟



# 📦 WinRAR Auto-Installer Script



This **PowerShell script** automates the process of **downloading**, **installing**, and adding **WinRAR** to the system PATH on Windows machines 🪟.



---



## 📥 How to Download the Repo (First-Time Users)



Click the link to read [**Instructions**](https://www.gitprojects.fnbubbles420.org/how-to-download-repos) 📄.



---



## ✨ Features



- **Automated Download**: Downloads the WinRAR installer directly from the official website 🌐.

- **Silent Installation**: Installs WinRAR silently without requiring user interaction 🛠️.

- **PATH Update**: Adds the WinRAR installation directory to the system PATH, allowing WinRAR commands to be run from anywhere in the command line ✅.



---



# 🛠️ WinRAR Silent Installer Script - Logging Information



This script includes **robust logging** mechanisms to ensure detailed tracking of the script's operations and for troubleshooting 🔍.



### 📝 Logging



- The script logs all actions and errors to a file named `winrar-install.log` located in the **temporary directory**.



### 📁 Log File Location



The log file is saved in the user's temporary directory. The typical path is:

`C:\Users\AppData\Local\Temp\winrar-install.log`



### 🛠️ Log-Message Function



The script includes a custom function `Log-Message` to handle logging. This function logs messages with a timestamp and a message type (INFO, ERROR, or WARNING).



#### Log-Message Function Definition



```

function Log-Message {

    param (

        [string]$message,

        [string]$type = "INFO"

    )

    $timestamp = Get-Date -Format "yyyy-MM-dd HH:mm:ss"

    $logEntry = "$timestamp [$type] $message"

    Write-Host $logEntry

    Add-Content -Path $logFile -Value $logEntry

}

```



- **message:** The message to log.

- **type:** The type of message (INFO, ERROR, WARNING). Default is "INFO".



### 📊 Example Log Entries



- **Info Message:**

```

2024-07-18 14:32:01 [INFO] Starting download of WinRAR from https://www.win-rar.com/fileadmin/winrar-versions/winrar-x64-701.exe

```



- **Error Message:

```

2024-07-18 14:32:45 [ERROR] Failed to download WinRAR installer: Exception calling "Invoke-WebRequest" with "2" argument(s): "The remote server returned an error: (404) Not Found."

```



- **Warning Message:**

```

2024-07-18 14:33:10 [WARNING] Failed to remove the downloaded installer: Exception calling "Remove-Item" with "1" argument(s): "Cannot find path 'C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\Temp\winrar-installer.exe' because it does not exist."

```



### 🛠️ Logging Steps in the Script



1. **Starting Download:** Logs the beginning of the download process.

```

Log-Message "Starting download of WinRAR from $url"

```



2. **Download Complete:** Logs the completion of the download.

```

Log-Message "Download complete."

```



3. **Download Failure:** Logs any errors during the download process.

```

Log-Message "Failed to download WinRAR installer: $_" "ERROR"

```



4. **Starting Installation:** Logs the beginning of the installation process.

```

Log-Message "Starting silent installation of WinRAR."

```



5. **Installation Complete:** Logs the completion of the installation.

```

Log-Message "WinRAR installation complete."

```



6. **Clean Up:** Logs the removal of the downloaded installer.

```

Log-Message "Cleaned up the downloaded installer."

```



### ⚙️ Prerequisites



- **PowerShell 5.0 or higher** 🖥️.

- **Internet connection** to download the installer 🌐.

- **Administrative privileges** to install and update the system PATH 🔒.



---



### 🛠️ PowerShell Installation (Optional)



If you need PowerShell, download it from the official GitHub page:



- For **Windows 64-bit systems**: [Download 64-Bit Installer](https://github.com/PowerShell/PowerShell/releases/download/v7.4.5/PowerShell-7.4.5-win-x64.msi)

- For **Windows 32-bit systems**: [Download 32-Bit Installer](https://github.com/PowerShell/PowerShell/releases/download/v7.4.5/PowerShell-7.4.5-win-x86.msi)



### 🚀 Usage



1. **Open PowerShell (Run as Admin)** 🔒.

2. Navigate to the directory containing the script using `cd`.

3. Run the script:



   ```

   .\WinRAR-7.01-auto-installer.ps1

   ```



4. The script will handle the rest, providing output messages to indicate progress and completion status.



### ❓ If Usage Fails



If the script doesn't run, change the execution policy by running:

```

Set-ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Scope Process

```

- if a message pops up `red` type `Y` click enter.



Then, run the script again without closing PowerShell.



   ```

   .\WinRAR-7.01-auto-installer.ps1

   ```



### 🛠️ How It Works



1. **Download**: The script starts by downloading the **WinRAR installer** using `Invoke-WebRequest`.

2. **Install**: After downloading, it proceeds to install **WinRAR silently** using the `/S` switch.

3. **PATH Update**: Finally, it checks if WinRAR's installation path is in the system PATH. If not, it adds it, allowing WinRAR commands to be run from the command line.



---



### 📝 Note



This script is for **educational purposes** and should be used responsibly. Ensure you have the right to install software on your machine ⚠️.



---



### 📜 License



This script is provided "as is", without warranty of any kind, express or implied. Use it at your own risk.