If you use a sensible program like 7zip instead (which is also free unlike winrar) then you don't need to rename, just right click and open with or extract to.
I got 7zip as well, but how do I open multiple files at the same time like you are saying? Also, I don't have 7zip in my right click menu at all.
I am not saying you are wrong, but I am curious because I use it on my laptop and I always have to open it first and can't extract multiple files at once.
'Integrate 7-zip to shell context menu' must be enabled
If it is and you still don't have the '7zip' option (or multiple options if the cascade option in this tab is disabled) in right click menu's then redownload and reinstall, these menu's being on have been default for years.
With the old builds, you wouldn't get the menu in 32bit explorer if you installed the 64bit 7zip build.
I think (but am not entirely sure it's been several years since it was an issue for me) in the latest builds they fixed that and you should get the menu in both if you install the 64bit build on a 64bit OS.
Aha, that was exactly it. For some reason I had the 32 bit version, I installed the 64 bit one and now it works fine with the right click menu :-) Thanks