The most popular document format is certainly the PDF, omnipresent in every business email but also very popular in the domestic environment, where it is in full competition with the DOC format (the document format of the Office suite). If we are new to the world of computing, we will probably be in difficulty when we see this type of file for the first time: since no one is born learned, in this guide we will show you the free programs to be able to quickly open PDF files on computers with operating system Windows .
If you were already thinking about Adobe Acrobat Reader, you will have to change your mind: given the heaviness of the most famous program, in this guide we will recommend the free and fast alternatives, so that we can open and manage PDFs on a PC in an optimal way whatever the performance of our computer.
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Article Index
- Microsoft Edge
- Google Chrome
- Foxit Reader
- Nitro's Free PDF Reader
- PDF-XChange Viewer
- Sumatra PDF
1) Microsoft Edge
If we use Windows 10 as the operating system, we will already have an unsuspected PDF reader integrated into the system, namely the Microsoft Edge browser .
In fact, the system will allow you to immediately open this type of documents directly in the browser, with a simple and fast interface: we will be able to scroll through the pages of the document, print the necessary ones, read the characters aloud, view in full screen, modify and save a local copy of the document (in case of documents opened from online links).
If we don't want to download other programs, we can also only use Edge for PDF, also benefiting from the high speed of the browser (definitely one of the best on Windows 10).
2) Google Chrome
On all versions of Windows (10, 7 and 8.1) we can use Chrome as a PDF reader.
By default, in fact, all Internet links containing a PDF document will be immediately opened in the browser interface, which is minimal but complete: we can use the zoom to enlarge or reduce the pages, save a copy of the PDF on Drive, print one or more pages or download a local copy of the file.
If associated with local files, we can also read PDFs already present in the system or loaded in another way, so as not to have to use any other program.
Very useful in the domestic environment, however, it may not be sufficient in the business sphere for the shortcomings of the integrated PDF reader.
3) Foxit Reader
Foxit Reader is without a doubt one of the best free programs to open PDF on PC.
Foxit Reader presents a modern interface with some tools for editing PDF files, very useful if we have to sign or make changes to documents with questionnaires or with text fields to be filled.
The program also allows you to add text boxes and write to the PDF document,
provides a highlighter to highlight the most interesting parts, offers the possibility to add notes, notes and bookmarks.
The split view capability divides the document pane into two or four sections to make the content easier to read.
Very useful is the ability to convert a document into text-only view so that you can easily copy and paste it on a text editor.
Certainly one of the best PDF readers that we can install on our computer with Windows, in case the browsers mentioned are not adequate enough for our needs (especially in the business sphere).
4) Nitro's Free PDF Reader
Another good free PDF reader for Windows is definitely Nitro's Free PDF Reader.
This program has an interface very similar to that of Office, so as to help business users to immediately recognize the necessary functions, and also offers a basic modification of documents, the ability to print only one or more selected pages, to sign in appropriate text fields, to create new PDFs from scratch and to share the most important documents with colleagues or friends who use QuickSign profiles.
Definitely one of the best programs to open PDF on a PC in the workplace: you will find yourself so well that you will hardly try other similar programs!
5) PDF-XChange Viewer
If we are looking for a sufficiently light and fast program to open PDFs, we can try PDF-XChange Viewer.
This program offers numerous features to edit PDFs, to insert notes, comments and signatures where necessary and also offers the tools to be able to print PDFs adequately.
The free version offers few configurable options, but it is more than enough for home use and small offices.
6) Sumatra PDF
Sumatra PDF is undoubtedly the simplest and most minimal program, as well as being the lightest one ever (it can also start on machines with less than 2 GB of RAM).
Sumatra PDF is completely free, downloadable in a portable or installable version, and is ideal for those looking for a very light program that manages all the main PDF options.
The program can also integrate with the main browsers, so as to immediately call up its interface without using other tools.
Its strengths are its extreme speed and lightness and the ability to view documents in different ways.
This reader does not offer many advanced options and is only good for viewing and printing PDF documents: therefore it can be unsuitable in the business environment, where more options for PDF are usually required.
7) Adobe Acrobat Reader DC
We were not comfortable with any of the programs or browsers recommended above "> Adobe Acrobat Reader DC.
The program is free and probably one of the most complete for editing, signing and commenting on PDFs, since Adobe is the company that created this type of document.
On some PCs, however, it can be too slow in startup or invasive in auto-startup, when it constantly searches for updates.
If we have a computer with an SSD, a very powerful PC or we need maximum support for PDF, then it is better to install Adobe Acrobat Reader, considering that there is no shortage of quality alternatives.
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