For convenience, we distinguish four types of programs: viewers (for reading and annotating), editors (for editing text and other content), managers (for splitting, compressing, and other file manipulations) and converters (for converting PDF to other formats).
Most applications can be categorized into several types at once.
- A type: viewer, editor, converter, manager.
- Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux.
A very intuitive and user-friendly program with an impressive number of functions. When you launch Sejda PDF, you will immediately see all the tools grouped by category. Select the desired one, drag the required file into the program window and start manipulating. Most of this application can be done in a few seconds, even if this is your first time using it.
What you can do in Sejda PDF:
- edit text, add images and shapes;
- convert PDF to Excel, JPG (and vice versa), Word (and vice versa);
- combine and split files by pages, compress their size;
- protect documents with a password;
- add watermarks;
- discolor documents;
- crop page area;
- sign documents.
There are restrictions in the free version of the program. For example, files should be no more than 200 pages and be larger than 50 MB. In addition, you cannot perform more than three operations with documents during the day. The full Sejda PDF costs $ 5.25 per month.
- A type: manager, converter, editor.
- Platforms: Windows, macOS,.
PDFsam cannot boast of a polished to perfection, user-friendly interface. In addition, the program does not allow you to convert PDF and edit document content for free. But it has several useful managerial functions that are available to everyone without payment or any restrictions.
What you can do in PDFsam:
- merge PDF in several modes (merge in parts or shuffle page by page);
- split PDF by pages, bookmarks (in places with specified words) and size into separate documents;
- rotate pages (if some of them were scanned upside down);
- extract pages with specified numbers;
- convert Excel, Word, PowerPoint formats to PDF;
- convert PDF to Excel, Word and PowerPoint ($ 10);
- edit text and other content of files ($ 30).
- A type
- Platforms: Windows.
A very functional program with a classic interface in the style of Microsoft office applications. PDF-XChange Editor is not very beginner friendly. To master all the features of the program, you need to spend some time. Fortunately, all internal descriptions and tips have been translated into Russian.
What you can do in PDF-XChange Editor:
- add annotations and highlight text;
- edit text and other content;
- recognize text using OCR;
- extract pages from documents;
- encrypt documents (paid);
- convert PDF to Word, Excel and PowerPoint formats and vice versa (paid);
- compress files (paid);
- sort pages in any order (paid).
These are just a few of the features you can find in PDF-XChange Editor. The program is available in several versions with a different number of possibilities. Paid versions start at $ 43.5.
- A type: viewer, manager, converter, editor.
- Platforms: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS.
The popular universal program for working with PDF from the company. The free version is a very convenient document viewer, the rest of the functions are available by subscription at a price of 149 rubles per month.
What you can do in Adobe Acrobat Reader:
- view documents, highlight and comment on text, search for words and phrases;
- sign documents (paid);
- edit text and other content (paid);
- combine documents into one file (paid);
- compress files (paid);
- convert PDF to Word, Excel and PowerPoint formats (paid);
- convert JPG, JPEG, TIF and BMP images to PDF (paid).
All these and other features are available in the desktop versions of Adobe Acrobat Reader. The mobile versions of the program only allow viewing and annotating documents, as well as - after subscribing - convert them into different formats.
- A type: viewer, converter.
- Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS.
Fast and convenient PDF reader with different viewing modes. Ideal for users looking for a simple document reader without a plethora of advanced features. The program is available on all major platforms.
Any pdf file that is Portable Document Format is a kind of electronic document created by the company Adobe... This format is recognized as convenient for reading a large amount of information.
Students, schoolchildren, office workers with such documents are often found, in addition, pdf documents are distributed on the World Wide Web.
In this format, you can find term papers, text documents, textbooks, books, monographs, magazines, so it is important to be able to use a program that allows you to read these files. This software will not take up a lot on an electronic device, it is simple and easy to use. It is possible to download programs that allow you to read pdf documents for free.
Ways to open pdf files on a computer
Among the programs thanks to which you can read this format on a laptop, we will single out. It is Reader that is the true program for the pdf format. To download, you need to find the official Adobe website, after installing the version, files will be opened automatically using Adobe Reader. A similar program can be used for the following operating systems:, Windows, MacOS. Follow the specified link
and uncheck the checkbox - if you don't uncheck it, then you agreed to install an additional program (do you need it?).
And press the hefty yellow button Install.
Is a program that gives the ability to correct pdf documents, remove typos and errors in them. This program has broad technical capabilities. The program has an English interface, but it is easy to find a Russian-language version. The program is paid, that is, "broken" versions.
The functions of this utility are similar to those of ABBYY PDF Transformer. The main difference between the programs is that there is no slowdown in computer speed when Foxit Reader is installed. You can study the video tutorials posted on the Internet to understand the essence.
Foxit Advanced PDF Editor necessary when processing documents. The following programs can be considered additional software: PDFCreator, thanks to which the user can easily edit the PDF document. gDoc Fusion is offered for 30 days as a free version, it will allow you to work not only with PDF files, but also with MS Office products. PDFMaster convenient for studying the document, its functions are similar to those of Adobe Reader. The program has a simple and intuitive interface, you can search by pages or by basic words and phrases.
If you are using Android, you can also read, edit PDF files. If the Android system is installed, you can use all the functionality of the program. Also popular software for Android is Cool Reader... You can use Google Play to download it. The program is suitable for viewing text, making notes, making changes, copying text, writing annotations, protecting a file with passwords, sending documents by e-mail.
There is also the ability to open, edit PDF documents and online. Using the program, which has a practical and intuitive Russian interface, you can work with any document formats. Browsers have a special feature that makes it possible to view PDF files. You do not have to specially download such documents, it will automatically be opened in a special tab, you can read it, and if necessary download it. Such browsers significantly speed up the viewing and study of documents, you also get free space on your hard drive. There are additional online services for signing PDF files, changing their format, for cloud storage.
Despite the fact that viewing pdf documents and books on a desktop platform does not cause difficulties, many users still have a question of how to open a pdf file.
In this guide, I will list a few pdf viewers - perhaps the best at the moment. If you need a phone reader, refer to.
The pdf viewers participating in the review:
Adobe Reader is the most famous PDF reader
Developer: Adobe Systems Incorporated
Distribution conditions: freeware
It is not a fact that the inventors of any document format can write an ideal program for opening pdf. And even knowing all the "secrets" does not help. We hasten to reassure you: in the case of Adobe Reader, the most famous program for working with PDFs, this is not the case.
Not sure how to open a pdf file? Adobe Reader is the first thing that comes to mind
In the current version, the program is distributed under number 8. When downloading the distribution, do not confuse it with Adobe Acrobat (without the "Reader" prefix), which, in addition to viewing, includes tools for editing PDF. Although it is difficult to confuse, since the second package is approaching 0.5GB in size. Adobe Reader is 22 MB, the current version is 8.1.2 and is available at the above address. On this page, you need to select the language and operating system for which you are downloading the program. This once again confirms the "universalism" of the PDF format.
The first thing that catches your eye when opening such a viewer is the interface. Just like other Adobe products, it is very stylish and, more importantly, thoughtful. And from version to version there is a movement for the better. How is this very convenience manifested? The fact is that when you open a document, you don't have to look for this or that button for a long time. The most common actions are performed with one or two mouse clicks. Sidebars and tools are mostly "inherited" from previous versions of Reader (back then with the "Acrobat" prefix).
Reader has more settings than other viewers, which is understandable: who, if not Adobe, knows the "secrets" of the PDF format. However, many options such as 2D and 3D settings are no longer needed. These technologies are rarely used in PDF files yet. Another conditional group of settings is the ability to display a document on the screen. These are: smoothing fonts, setting up the headset, controlling the output (!) To different monitors.
An important advantage of the Adobe Reader package is that it is free. Disadvantage - slow work on some average computer. The most important parameter here is the frequency of the processor, since the greatest load is performed on it during viewing. And, since the document can be replete with high-resolution images, it is not a fact that you will be able to fully use the program.
The slow operation of Adobe Reader lies not only in incorrect program settings, but also in the presence of additional functions. All plug-ins are enabled by default. They cannot be disabled by standard methods, so you will have to resort to using a special tweaker PDF SpeedUp, which will be discussed later.
Sumatra PDF - pdf reader for Windows
Developer: Krzystof Kowalczuk (www.blog.kowalczuk.info)
License: freeware
Short description: pdf viewer
There are not that many pdf viewers available for the Windows platform. First of all, Acrobat Reader specializes in this. Unfortunately, from version to version the program does not become more compact, but acquires additional functions that only reduce the browsing speed.
Sumatra PDF is a viewer for users who appreciate conciseness. First of all, let's pay attention to the size of Sumatra PDF - less than a megabyte. Secondly, there are no plugins and no need, since everything for viewing PDF is already there. Sumatra PDF also has no settings. Therefore, Sumatra does not support font smoothing technology and other conveniences.
Sumatra PDF - compact pdf reader for PC
Foxit Reader - cross-platform pdf reader
Developer: Foxit Software Company
Distribution conditions: freeware
Adobe Reader is more than enough to view and print files in PDF. But if the speed of the program is important to you, install its most famous alternative - Foxit Reader. Then you will have to agree with both the modest functionality of the program and its interface - not as stylish as in Adobe's Reader.
Foxit Reader - PDF viewer
Page output speed in Foxit Reader is characterized by surprisingly fast page opening. You don't have to wait for the next page to appear for a few seconds. If in Adobe Reader "clumsiness" appears when scrolling pages and opening thumbnails, but this is not observed here. Foxit Reader does not support plugins, functionality is enough without it.
Watching the development of the program, one could notice its gradual improvement in comparison with previous versions. Basically, the interface has changed: it has become more convenient, in this respect it has even gotten closer to Reader in some way (compare at least panels in one and the other reader). As in a browser, a system of tabs is organized, which is convenient when viewing several documents in one window. However, this is not some kind of innovation, but the most that neither is the standard for a program of this kind.
There are fewer settings in Foxit Reader than in Reader, but the most important ones are still present. For owners of LCD monitors, a very useful option "Display text optimized for LCD screen" is provided, which eliminates the unpleasant roughness of fonts.
About the disadvantages. It is noticed that sometimes when minimizing / maximizing the Foxit Reader's window, the toolbar gets confused and spreads out to almost half of the window. The program has to be restarted. Also, sometimes there are problems with the selection of text in the document: text lines are distorted, you need to refresh the page unplanned.
Initially, the program has an English interface, you can Russify it via the Internet.
Finally, it is worth mentioning that Foxit Reader is also available on Android, among other pdf viewers.
What else can you use to read PDF: Drumlin PDF Reader / Publisher, STDU Viewer).
STDU Viewer - convenient viewing of pdf files
The STDU Viewer is convenient for working with documents and all kinds of book formats. According to the description, the program is suitable for reading pdf files, as well as DjVu, XPS, multi-page TIFF and various graphic formats.
STDU Viewer is one of the easiest programs to open pdf files
Of course, STDU Viewer has all the basic functions that a viewer must have when reading pdf. First of all, it is worth mentioning changing the size of the text, rotating the document page, changing the brightness and background of the pages, quickly printing a document or selected fragments.
If the document has a text layer, you can open the PDF file, select the text, copy it to the clipboard, or export it to another text format.
On the developer's site of STDU Viewer, two editions of the pdf viewer are available: standard and portable. The second is convenient if you do not want to install the program and / or use it on a USB flash drive. In this case, the viewer settings will be stored in the folder with the STDU Viewer program.
PrimoPDF
Developer: activePDF, Inc
Distribution conditions: freeware
In order to make your document with graphs, images and tables more likely to open on another computer, it is logical to save it as PDF. Fortunately, there are countless programs that have the ability to export to PDF: this is practically any publishing system, office suite (including OpenOffice, but excluding Microsoft Office).
You can not save the result in PDF, but simply convert the desired document (like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) into this format. One of these converters is PrimoPDF. Small size, freeware and… 300 supported formats that can be converted to PDF.
To run the program, make sure you have the .NET Framework library available for download at www.microsoft.com.
There is a paid alternative to PrimoPDF from the same developer - NitroPDF. Unlike its free "brother", NitroPDF allows you to edit PDF and save back - from PDF to DOC, RTF, etc. The Internet version of PrimoPDF (www.online.primopdf.com) deserves special attention. Exporting files via the web interface is extremely simple: select the desired file on your computer through the form, enter your e-mail and click the "Create PDF" button. Wait for the result, download it. The file extensions supported by the service can be found in the right column of the site.
PDF SpeedUp program for fast opening of pdf files
Developer: AcroPDF Systems Inc.
Distribution conditions: freeware
"Tweaks" (options) can be listed for a long time. The main "usefulness" of the program is to disable plugins. Surprisingly, in most cases, if you keep the most minimal set of plugins in your asset, you will not feel the loss when viewing documents. Among other things, in PDF SpeedUp you can deactivate the update function, which for some reason "sin" all Adobe products of the latest versions. One click removes unnecessary buttons on the Reader's toolbar, and disables browser integration. It is possible a little, but to optimize the speed of Reader'a over the Network. If an error occurs due to PDF SpeedUp settings in Reader, it is not difficult to restore to the previous “snapshot” of settings.
Here's what the developers put into the size of this tweaker. In principle, everything would be nice if it were not for the inconsistency of settings and the "handicraft" interface. In this case, as an option, you can recommend another program with a similar name (Adobe Reader Speed-Up). It practically duplicates PDF SpeedUp settings, but many readers may find it more convenient than the first one.
Addition. What about the Internet?
It's no secret that on the Internet you can save files of one format in another, via the web interface. What are the advantages? You download the original PDF file, and the output immediately gets the result in the selected format. Everything happens very quickly, but, of course, a lot depends on the connection speed. The processor is loaded on the server, not on your computer, and there is no need to install the software (apart from the browser itself, in which everything is done). There are not one or two such online services, here are examples and, in one line, the characteristics of sites:
www.zamzar.com (well thought out organization, visibility)
www.freepdfconvert.com - it is possible to send the result to E-mail, you can specify the URL as a source
PDF is a fairly convenient format in which e-books, scans of textbooks, fiction and non-fiction literature, forms and full versions of documents are saved. Today it is supported not only by computers, but also by smartphones and tablets. Therefore, many are confused when a PDF file does not open, which often contains important and unique information. We will figure out how to cope with this problem, what are the best ways to display such documents.
How do I open a PDF file?
Make sure you have Adobe Reader or Acrobat installed on your device. Then you can open PDFs:
- Run the program itself, click on "File". Next - "Open". In the "Explorer" find and select the one you want.
- Double click on the document icon in the file system, on the "Desktop", in the email attachments. If you are not sure that the default is "Acrobat" or "Reader", then click the PC mouse to run it through "Open with".
- In the browser, documents of this type open automatically in Reading mode, with a truncated toolbar. Make sure the "Acrobat" plugin is installed. Otherwise, download it in the browser "Extensions".
Why won't the file open in Acrobat?
The most common standard program for working with such files is Adobe Reader or Acrobat. It's free and sometimes comes pre-installed on the OS. If you are looking for how to open a PDF file, then the first step is to turn to her.
But why can't Acrobat or Reader open the document? The most common reasons are:
- The file is damaged.
- The installation or the last update of the program occurred with errors.
- The version of the app on your device is out of date.
- The program cannot recognize the file type.
- You did not create the document in an Adobe application.
Let's take a look at how to deal with specific issues.
Solutions when the problem is in the file itself
If the PDF file does not open, then the first thing we tend to assume is that the reason for this is itself. Based on this, we will offer popular solutions to the problem.
The document is password protected... The publisher could protect his work with a special cipher. Without entering it, you will not be able to open the document. Symbols are printed in a special window that is displayed immediately before starting the file. Of course, the author must provide you with the code.
Suspicious file... Acrobat automatically blocks documents that do not comply with any Adobe industry regulations. For example, allowing the download of malicious content. Therefore, if the PDF does not open, it is worth checking the reliability of its source.
Incompatible document... If the file was created in a non-Adobe program, chances are that this is the cause of the problem. The solution here is to update your Adobe Reader or Acrobat to the latest version, or seek help from similar programs.
Damaged file... Another common reason is that the file is damaged. Perhaps there were some errors while downloading it, it was not fully downloaded. The solution is to download it again and try to open a copy already.
What to do: PDF file won't open? Try running it on a different device. If the action is successful, then the reason is not in the document.
Solutions when the problem is in the OS
If the PDF file does not open, then the sources of the trouble may be that by default the system launches it with a program that does not read this format. We fix the problem in this way:
- On Windows: Right click on this document. Select "Open with ..." Next - "Choose another application" ("Choose another program by default"). In the list that opens, stop at Adobe Reader or Acrobat. Further - "Use this application (program) for all documents of this type" ("Always use an application to open PDF"). Confirm the decision by clicking on OK.
- Macintosh: In the Finder, click the icon for the desired document. Next - "File", its "Properties". In "Open with ..." click on the small schematic triangle. Select "Reader" or "Acrobat" from the dropdown list. If you do not find them in the listing, select "Other" and continue your search already there. Confirm by clicking on "Replace All".
Solutions when the problem is in the program
If everything is in order with the file, then we will solve the problem using the methods described below.
App update... Why won't PDF files open? You may have an outdated version of Adobe Reader or Acrobat on your computer. To do this, run the program, go to "Help". Next - "Check for Updates". In the "Install ..." window, click "Yes". Updates will be downloaded automatically, after which you need to restart your PC and try to open the file again.
Program recovery... For one reason or another, the application can be damaged both during download and installation. The consequence of this is that the PDF file opens with hieroglyphs or does not start at all. Recovery is available only on Windows:
- In "Start" go to "Control Panel".
- Go to "Programs" - "Programs and Features" ("Add or Remove Programs" in earlier versions).
- Find Adobe Reader or Adobe Acrobat.
- Click on "Change", then follow the prompts of the system.
- Finally, click on "Finish".
You can try to restore the program inside itself: go to "Help", and from there to "Restore ..."
Reinstallation... If all else fails, then you need to remove and reinstall the "Reader" or "Acrobat":
- Go to the "Control Panel".
- Go to "Programs", then to "Programs and Features" ("Add or Remove Programs").
- Delete "Acrobat" or "Reader".
- Go to the Adobe official website and download the app again.
- Find the program file with the extension .exe in the downloads. Double click to launch it.
- The installation process begins.
Once the program is installed, try opening the PDF file again.
Signs that the file won't open in the browser
To establish that a non-PDF file takes a long time to open in the browser, namely, it does not start, you can by these signs:
- Instead of an image, text, a blank page came out.
- Red cross in the middle of the window.
- The browser reports a broken link.
- Error message. It often contains instructions on what to do to solve the problem.
Let's take a look at how to fix errors related to the inability to open PDF files in the browser.
Program related solutions
Most often, the reason may be in the "Acrobat" or "Reader." Applications just need to update to the latest versions (Adobe releases updates every three months). To do this, open the program, go to "Help" - "Check for Updates." The download will start automatically, in later versions you need to confirm your actions.
You can also uninstall the program, then download and reinstall it if the previous method did not help.
File related solutions
The problem may be in the document itself. Therefore, it is advisable to do the following:
- Refresh or reload the page.
- Start another PDF file. If this also did not work, then you can try to open the document in another browser.
- Save the file to your computer and try to open it in the "Reader", "Acrobat", the file system of your PC.
Browser related solutions
The reason may be in the Internet browser. It is important to do the following:
- Open the file in another browser.
- Switch to Compatibility Mode, if available.
- Restart your PC, open your browser, and try running the file again.
- Clear your browser cache.
- Update the browser itself, as well as the Reader or Acrobat. Restart your computer and try again.
- Remove applications from the previous heading, download and reinstall them.
Now you know how to open a PDF file. We also discussed the typical fixes for errors due to which it is impossible to open documents of this type.
PDF (Portable Document Format) is a special universal electronic document format developed and patented by Adobe Systems Corporation. Created for compact presentation, storing important printed documents in electronic form, as well as for opening and printing them on PCs operating on different operating systems. Literally translated PDF means “ portable document format". In the pdf format, you can save information in any form and at the same time it will be displayed the same everywhere.
Today, a format with a similar resolution can be called most popular for the presentation of various printing products.
How to open pdf format
Having an understanding of how and how to open files in pdf format, users can work without problems and view a lot of interesting and useful information.
Among most popular universal utilities for quickly opening documents presented in pdf resolution, you can mark:
- Adobe (Acrobat) Reader.
- PDF-Viewer.
- STDU Viewer.
- Foxit Reader.
Each of the above programs has its own functionality, capabilities, a set of useful options and will help the user to open the PDF on any personal computer, laptop running on Windows, other OS. Moreover, regardless of the OS or PC version, the documents will be opened in the form in which they were originally created.
We use Adobe (Acrobat) Reader
Adobe (Acrobat) Reader - Universal free an application that is designed for easy work with PDF. Using this utility, users can open, view, edit, copy, comment, review, carry out other operations with any documents.
The program has quite low system requirements and at the same time it is able to open all existing modifications of the PDF format, allows PC users to work with files through different forms. 
Among main functions this utility can be noted:
By installing Adobe Reader on their PC, users 3D viewing available content of the document. It is possible to play various audio and video files, the function of opening e-books, the option to increase the required elements in the text. The program has an intuitive, user-friendly interface. 
If this utility is already installed on your PC, when you open a document with pdf format, it will be activated automatically. The required file will be immediately opened in the Adobe (Acrobat) Reader.
Using additional services Adobe (Acrobat) Reader, can create, convert PDF, and export them in Word, Excel. 
PDF-Viewer
PDF-Viewer is an easy-to-use, convenient, safe program for working with pdf. Spreads on free basis. Utility intended for viewing, converting, reading, editing, printing, any PDF. 
Using the PDF-Viewer, users can perform various manipulations with the content of documents. With this utility, you can quickly convert files to other formats (PNG, TIFF. BMP).
After opening the software, you must select, mark and open the desired document. Information about this document will be displayed near the file window, which can be called advantage of this program.
After opening, the document appears on the screen in a readable version. The program has an intuitive, simple, user-friendly interface, a large selection of settings, additional options. The main advantage of the free utility is that it works quickly not only on any OS, but also on weak PCs.
How to use STDU Viewer
STDU Viewer - universal, very comfortable free utility for working, viewing, editing electronic documentation. The program has a convenient, understandable, simple interface, a large number of useful options (scaling, conversion, display modes), simple navigation tools, allowing you to work quickly and comfortably, view the contents of the selected files.
Using STDU Viewer you can add bookmarks while reading, marking the necessary text fragments, turn pages by 90 degrees, view pages in a spread or one by one. The program can display several pages on the PC screen at the same time, support hyperlinks. Implements fast passage between pages. When working with electronic documentation, you can change the resolution of the current page without changing the rest.
To get started, run the installed utility. In the menu, select “ File / Open"Or right-click on a free field: 
By going to Settings, you can tick the necessary items for convenient work with an electronic document.
After pressing the " Open», The document opens in a readable form.
Opening a document with Foxit Reader
Foxit Reader is a fairly popular, lightweight, fast utility for reading, viewing, working with PDF, various types of electronic documentation. Disadvantage programs can be called english speaking interface. At the same time, thanks to the convenient, intuitive menu, it will not be difficult to understand the capabilities of the utility. If necessary, for more convenient work, you can additionally download and install crackwhich will completely translate all menu items.
The program is distributed free of charge. It works without problems even on weak PCs, does not need installation, regardless of configuration, version of Windows OS. Foxit Reader respects the security, privacy of users, never connects to the Internet without confirmation.
To open the required file, run the program on your computer. In the window that appears, select the desired menu item, confirm the action " OK».
Find the required document, open it (" File / Open»), After which the document is displayed in a readable form.
