WinZip has long been a go-to ZIP tool, so we were keen to try the all-new WinZip 18. It's much more than a cosmetic upgrade: A new compression engine zips, splits, and joins files faster than legacy versions, though of course WinZip still handles virtually any archive file type. It converts files to PDFs, adds watermarks, resizes photos, manages archives, and protects files with 128/256 bit encryption. Improved cloud navigation smoothly integrates WinZip with many more cloud services, including Box, Dropbox, SugarSync, SkyDrive, and Google Drive. Cloud Links adds links to files via e-mail, IM, and social media. WinZip Express Add-Ons let you access many WinZip features directly from Outlook and other programs (These cost extra, though WinZip Express for Explorer was free with our download!). The full version of WinZip 18 (64-bit) is free to try for 21 days.

WinZip 18 installed over our existing program, though we had to choose between the new compression standard (better performance) and the default option, legacy compression (wide compatibility with large archives) -- though of course you're not limited to one or the other. Other setup options include themes and file associations. Setup finished with a Quick Start guide covering many of WinZip 18's new features, such as the Office-style Ribbon toolbar that accesses cloud-based resources directly (you can choose the old style interface and menus from WinZip's extensive Settings). We tried WinZip 18's new algorithm, which definitely feels fast and did a good job even with hard-to-squeeze media files. We really wanted to try WinZip 18's cloud features, though. We clicked "Save to Cloud" and then selected Dropbox from the list and then signed in. After that, we could access our Dropbox folders directly from WinZip. WinZip's Photos tool can integrate with your digital camera, too. WinZip Express for Explorer adds a QUICK-ZIP option to WinZip's extensive context menus. Help buttons are everywhere.

WinZip 18's improved engine and enhanced cloud services take a reliable, old favorite to a new level, and 64-bit integration will help keep it there. It's hard to get excited about a ZIP tool, but WinZip 18 just thrills us with its impressive features and ease of use.

Editors' note: This is a review of the full version of WinZip (64-bit) 18. The trial version is fully functional for 21 days.

Users can now easily navigate to favorite topics with the new home screen, which can be accessed from the ribbon. Options include:

• Find information on newly added product features.
• Explore a range of productivity tools that go beyond compression.
• Access our ideas portal to submit and vote on product ideas.
• Gain access to an online self-serve knowledge base.

WinZip users now gain access to WinZip Courier, which seamlessly integrates with Microsoft Office, Outlook, and webmail, such as Gmail. Detailed information about WinZip Courier can be conveniently found on the home screen under the Highlights and All Apps sections.

Users can now scan zipped files for viruses or malware before unzipping them.

Users can now schedule backups of folders directly from Windows with a simple right-click.

File-sharing emails sent from SafeShare have been redesigned for a modern look and feel. The following information is displayed within the emails:

• Expiry date of shared file links.
• If the file is encrypted, recipients will be prompted to use WinZip to open the file.
• A download link for WinZip is provided to users who wish to open encrypted file(s) received via SafeShare.

New in PDF Express:

• Commenting – now users can comment on a new or existing PDF.
• Annotation – now users can annotate a new or existing PDF.
• Forms – now users can easily fill out interactive forms and manually add their signature and comments to non-interactive ones.

Now users enable/disable the display of WinZip PDF Express and/or WinZip SafeShare items on the Windows context menu from File -> WinZip Settings -> Explorer.

Now users can enable/disable Update Notifier from File à WinZip Settings à Updates.

Now users can provide insights on how to improve WinZip with optional in-app ratings and surveys. WinZip Enterprise users can enable , disable or configure in-app ratings and surveys.

WinZip now only supports 64-bit systems, ending the support for 32-bit systems.

Improvements

• Support for Window Charms is removed from WinZip for Windows 10 and above users.
• A warning message is now displayed before exiting SafeShare.
• In Duplicate File Finder, a confirmation message will appear when clicking on "File Cleaning Actions."
• In Duplicate File Finder, clearer explanations have been added for "File Cleaning Actions: Delete" and "File Cleaning Actions: Wipe".
• Duplicate File Finder now displays space savings in “KB”, “MB”, and “GB”.
• Space savings in Duplicate File Finder have been moved from the bottom left to the top right for better visibility
• In SafeShare, users can now set an expiration date for all cloud service providers.
• WinZip Shell menu is simplified by reducing the number of options for Windows 10 users. More options can be added by clicking on “Customize WinZip Menu” in the shell menu.
• A new simplified way to select duplicate files for deletion in Duplicate File Finder.
• Show ‘Last Modified Date’ to help select duplicated files.
• Simplified and modernized trial flow for new users.
• Redesigned software activation flow.
• Improved, less intrusive flow for new users – we want you to try the whole WinZip experience before joining the family.
• A new banner to keep trial users informed during their test period.
• Modernized and more informative registration screens.