Depends what you expect from an HIPS system. If you want something to control/babysit all applications installed on your system then ZA is not the tool for you. If instead you would like an HIPS which should complement your AV in warning about unknown processes or applications behaving suspiciously (trying to install or run at boot, trying to connect to the internet, injecting into other processes, etc.) then it does a decent job, good enough for protecting the system from common bad end points. Please be aware that HIPS in ZA are turned off by default at install. You would need to turn it ON (application control set to MAX) after few days of use (to avoid too many alerts).for some examples of monitored behaviour see here: http://download.zonealarm.com/bin/inclient/ZA_HelpCenter/71898_16.htm Will it work for you? Best way to known is to test it yourself.
I doubt that all of those behaviors the HIPS is watching still work on Win 8/10. But if you're planning to test it, please post some pics of the HIPS/Application Control settings. http://i1-win.softpedia-static.com/screenshots/ZoneAlarm-Free_2.png
Good point, indeed some on those list may be obsolete. You don't have much granularity or control in settings just ON or OFF.