ConeXware has released PowerArchiver 2016, a major new release of its trialware archiving tool for Windows. The new release is the first version of the program to be developed using IDE, a process that began over two years ago.

Version 2016 adds 4K resolution and touch-screen support, a major new user interface and the splitting of key features into separate, fully independent apps.

The new user interface design makes no attempt to reinvent the wheel, leaving everything exactly where it was previously, but unveiling new classic and ribbon/modern designs. The app is now properly skinned, with 9 pre-built skins available, and this can be switched off to improve performance on low-powered computers.

PowerArchiver 2016 unveils a major facelift as well as under-the-hood changes.

The interface also gains a new icon design and logo to reflect its thoroughly modern look, although traditionalists retain the option (under View > Skin Options > Icon sets) of reverting to the traditional look. Almost all aspects of the program interface can now be customised too.

The app has been tuned to work better with Windows 10, but retains compatibility all the way back to XP. Support for high-res displays – all the way to up to 4K – has also been implemented, along with support for touch-screen displays via a special Touch Mode.

The program’s rebuild also sees it split off key tools – including backup, enctryption, burner and virtual drives – into their own fully independent apps, accessible from PowerArchiver but also capable of being run separately.

Other highlights include being able to encrypt and sign Office and Adobe PDF documents, the addition of an audio burner and ripper, and full read/write support for ZPAQ and WIM formats.

The burner engine has been updated to support the latest Blu-Ray standards, and performance has been improved – not just with quicker startup times, but also when compressing files.

The latest version also promised better support for Windows Libraries when managing files in the File Manager mode.

PowerArchiver 2016 is available now as a free 10-day trial for PCs running Windows XP or later. The full version can be purchased for $22.95/€19.95.