Nuance has released a major update of its free alternative to Adobe Reader. Nuance PDF Reader 7 boasts a large number of new and improved features, including the ability to now preview Microsoft Office files directly within PDF Portfolios, view multi-layer graphics, and enjoy improved search features.

Nuance PDF Reader 7 boasts 100 per cent compatibility with Adobe Reader, and this was borne out by our tests, which allowed us to view certain PDF documents that previously didn’t display correctly in anything other than Adobe Reader. Nuance is keen to point out that PDF Reader 7 is much quicker and lighter on system resources too, a fact highlighted by its installed footprint (60MB compared to Adobe Reader’s 200MB).

The program also allows you to fill and save PDF files containing forms, another feature not universally supported elsewhere. It doesn’t, however, allow you to convert files to PDF without upgrading to PDF Converter Pro 7 – this is in direct contrast to rival PDF tool Nitro PDF Reader.

Nuance PDF Reader’s Search box has been revamped to offer two major new features: “Multiple words or phrase” allows you to select a group of words or phrases to search for instead of being restricted to a single search term. “Look Like Search” is a major new feature that performs searches on alphanumeric patterns, making it easy to highlight specific types of search terms like phone numbers or email addresses.

Other new features in this latest release include support for viewing rich media, such as that created in Microsoft Silverlight, that’s been embedded into PDF files. Nuance PDF Reader 7 also supports viewing individual layers of multi-layered graphics created in programs like AutoCAD and Microsoft Visio.

PDF Portfolios contain multiple files integrated into a single PDF document. PDF Reader 7 now supports previewing any Microsoft Office files embedded into PDF Portfolios rather than having to open each individually in its native application. Digitally signed documents can now easily be verified too, thanks to Nuance’s ability to store digital ID certificates.

Nuance PDF Reader 7 also sits nicely alongside its big brother PDF Converter Professional, and can be kept on as the default PDF reader. There’s also a new Message Panel that will display various messages and notifications, including discounts on other Nuance products – thankfully this can be closed if it’s too intrusive.

Nuance PDF Reader 7 is freeware and runs on Windows XP (with SP3), plus 32- and 64-bit versions of Windows 7 and Vista (with SP1).