Global Developer Foundation · Est. 2024

Honoring Eugene Roshal
— A Pioneer Who Changed
How the World Compresses Data

The Eugene Roshal Foundation is a global initiative by software developers worldwide, united in gratitude for one man's extraordinary contribution to computing — the creator of the RAR algorithm and WinRAR, trusted by over 500 million users since 1995.

Donate to Support Eugene Read His Story →
500M+ WinRAR Users Worldwide
30+ Years of Innovation
1993 RAR Algorithm Created
WinRAR Software
Important Notice: Eugene Roshal, now retired and away from the public eye, is currently facing financial hardship due to serious ill-health. Your donation makes a real difference. Donate Now →
Our Mission

Why We Started This Foundation

A global community of developers united to honor and support a legend.

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Global Recognition

We represent thousands of software developers, engineers, and technology enthusiasts across 80+ countries who believe Eugene Roshal's contributions deserve lasting recognition.

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Preserving His Legacy

Eugene's RAR algorithm changed how billions of people share and store data. We are committed to documenting, celebrating, and preserving his extraordinary technical legacy.

❤️

Human Support

Behind every great invention is a human being. Eugene, now living quietly with his family after leaving Silicon Valley, is in need of community support during his health challenges.

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Inspiring Future Devs

By honoring pioneers like Eugene, we inspire the next generation of developers to create technology that changes the world — just as he did from a small room in Russia.

Dr. Eugene Roshal – Creator of WinRAR and RAR Compression Algorithm
Creator of WinRAR
In Brief

Who is Eugene Roshal?

Eugene Roshal (Евгений Рошаль) is a Russian software developer born in 1972, best known as the creator of the RAR compression format and the iconic WinRAR archiving software. At just 21 years old, he developed the RAR algorithm in 1993, and by 1995 had released the first public version — forever changing how the world manages digital files.

Working as a solo programmer with extraordinary talent, Eugene achieved what large corporations with vast resources could not: a compression algorithm so efficient and reliable that it became the global standard for decades.

While Eugene created the RAR compression algorithm, the copyright is held by his older brother, Alexander Roshal.
Read Full Biography →
Historical Timeline

Eugene's Journey Through the Years

From a talented young programmer in Russia to a global software legend.

1972

Birth of a Genius

Eugene Roshal is born in the Soviet Union. From an early age, he develops a deep passion for computers and programming, following in a family tradition of intellectual achievement.

1993

The RAR Algorithm is Born

At just 21 years old, Eugene creates the RAR (Roshal ARchive) compression algorithm — a proprietary format offering superior compression ratios and built-in recovery records.

1995

First Public WinRAR Release

Eugene releases the first public version of WinRAR for Windows. The software rapidly gains worldwide adoption for its exceptional compression capabilities and ease of use.

2000s

RARLABS & Global Dominance

RARLABS, the company behind WinRAR, grows into a globally recognized software house. WinRAR becomes one of the most downloaded software applications in history, trusted by corporations, governments, and individuals worldwide.

2010s

Silicon Valley Chapter

Eugene spends time in Silicon Valley's tech ecosystem, collaborating with developers and expanding his technical footprint. He lives a remarkably private life despite being a legend in the software community.

Today

Quiet Life & Health Challenges

Eugene has stepped back from the public eye entirely and lives a very private life with his family. Reliable sources — including through his children — indicate he is currently facing serious financial difficulties due to significant health issues. The world remains largely unaware of his current situation.

Global Impact

The WinRAR Legacy in Numbers

Eugene's creation continues to power the digital world every single second of every day.

500M+
Registered Users Globally
20+
Languages Supported
30+
Years in Continuous Use
#1
Most Popular Archiving Tool
WinRAR Software Interface

WinRAR — More Than Software

WinRAR isn't just a utility — it's a cultural institution of computing. From small home users compressing family photos to multinational corporations archiving mission-critical data, WinRAR has been the trusted choice since 1995.

The RAR format Eugene invented introduced groundbreaking features like solid compression, recovery records, and encrypted archives — features that were years ahead of their time and remain industry standards to this day.

RAR Format ZIP Support Recovery Records AES-256 Encryption Multi-volume Archives Solid Compression
Developer Community

What Developers Are Saying

Voices from the global tech community about Eugene's extraordinary contribution.

"WinRAR was the first software I ever installed on my computer as a child in 1998. Twenty-five years later, it's still the first thing I install. Eugene's work is timeless."
DS
David S.
Senior Software Engineer, Germany
"As a developer who has studied compression algorithms for years, I can tell you: what Eugene achieved in 1993 with RAR was nothing short of genius. The math is beautiful."
MK
Mirai K.
Systems Architect, Japan
"Eugene single-handedly solved one of computing's fundamental problems. Billions of files are shared daily because of his work. He deserves every bit of support we can give."
AR
Amir R.
Principal Engineer, United States