WinRAR is a file compressor / archiver great for backing up data.  Download WinRAR at rarlab.com/download.htm.

WinRAR Tip #6:  Make Additional WinRAR Copies Wait Their Turn:

Have WinRAR wait for active archiving jobs to finish before starting new jobs, by default, by following these steps:

Part 1/2: Wait While Compressing:

Follow these steps:

Open WinRAR, click "Options" menu, and click "Settings...":

This brings you to the "Settings" window in the "General" tab:

Click the "Compression" tab:

In the "Compression profiles" section, click "Create default..." to bring up the "Set default compression options" window:

Click to the "Advanced" tab:  

Select "Wait if other WinRAR copies are active".

So far so good.

Part 2/2: Wait While Extracting:

Update:  Part 1 only makes WinRAR wait while compressing.  If you wish to make WinRAR wait will extracting, you must follow part 2.  Special thanks to Peter Nilsson for this tip.

Peter explained, "To make it work when you EXTRACT archives you need to check the setting "Wait if other WinRAR copies are active" under the Advanced tab in the "Extract to..." dialog. And then press "Save settings"."

Difficulty Note: The "Extraction path and options" screen can only be reached if you have a WinRAR archive opened inside WinRAR.   Once a WinRAR archive is opened, click the "Extract to" button to bring you to this screen.  If you do not  have a WinRAR archive opened inside of WinRAR, you cannot reach this screen!

Follow these steps:

Open a WinRAR archive inside WinRAR, and
(as if you are about to extract the archive somewhere) click the "Extract to" button.
This brings you to  the "Extraction path and options" screen:

Click to "Advanced" tab...

Enable "Wait if other WinRAR copies are active".

Go back to "General" tab (see previous image)

Click "Save Settings".

Done! (Thanks Peter!)

Now, the next time you create an archive, or extract an archive, and another archive is being processed, it will wait its turn.

All WinRAR Tips:

• WinRAR Tip #1: Change Default Settings
• WinRAR Tip #2: Automatically Test Archived Files
• WinRAR Tip #3: Delete Multiple Files out of Multiple RAR Files
• WinRAR Tip #4: Run in Low Priority
• WinRAR Tip #5: Run with Multi-Threading
• WinRAR Tip #6: Make Additional WinRAR Copies Wait Their Turn
• WinRAR Tip #7: Batch File Backups

Have Any Tips To Add?

If you have WinRAR tips you would like to add, please contact us.

Also See:

• Windows XP Setup Tweaks & Tips

External Links:

• RARLAB (the makers of WinRAR)
• WinRAR (Wikipedia)
• RAR (file format)  (Wikipedia)
• Maximum Compression (shows maximum achievable compression ratio of 150+ compression programs )
• WinRAR (the company) (official publisher of RARLAB products, including WinRAR)

About the Author:  I am Matthew Doucette of Xona Games, an award-winning, indie game studio I run with my twin brother. We concentrate on nostalgic game concepts with modern-day gameplay and intensity. Our company, our games, and our technology have all won prestigious awards and received worldwide press. Our games have ranked from #1 in Canada to #1 in Japan, as well as become #1 best sellers in multiple countries. Read about our story and our blog.