WinZip 20 widens sharing support, adds File Management ribbon

WinZip International LLC has released WinZip 20, a landmark release of what is perhaps the world’s best-known archiving tool. Version 20 builds on changes introduced in version 19 that saw the app move towards a unified file management system.

WinZip 20 introduces a new file management ribbon and frequent folders feature, plus makes working with files and folders more flexible while also widening its sharing options.

The app sees an overhauled user interface with a brand new File Management ribbon implemented in the best traditions of Windows and Microsoft Office. The new ribbon is joined by a new Frequent Folders shortcut, which gives users easy access to their most used folders.

WinZip 20 also introduces support for working with any file or folder, whether it’s accessing, modifying or moving it.

The previous release introduced support for direct integration with eight cloud services, and WinZip 20 widens this to include more than 10 new services, including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Office365 and LinkedIn.

WinZip 20 Pro also gains a number of new features -- a new backup tool that can automate the backup and distribution of files from the cloud, network or user’s computer, all within one job. Users can now find, zip, encrypt and email files to a specified schedule.

Pro users also gain a new thumbnail preview option for files stored inside an archive, wherever it’s stored (PC, network or cloud). Users can now directly preview, rotate and resize images too, then share via email, social media or instant message.

One final Pro-only new feature sees a number of new sharing options added: Scan and Share not only captures images, but encrypts them prior to scanning, while Snap and Share works with user phones or cameras.

WinZip 20 is available as a free trial download for PCs running Windows XP or later. Also available is WinZip Mac Edition for OS X users. Both WinZip costs $29.95 for the Standard edition, while WinZip Pro costs $49.95. An Enterprise edition is also available with extra features such as Enterprise Privacy and Control, and is priced according to volume.