PDF reading program on PC. How to open a PDF file

If you have to download books, reports or other text documents from the Internet, then you probably encountered files that have an extension PDF. After hitting this situation, users often do not know how to open the PDF file. As a rule, on the computer simply installed programs for working with PDF, which puts many in a dead end. In this article, we briefly consider a number of popular programs that allow you to open PDF files.

One of the most popular programs is definitely Adobe (Acrobat) Reader. This program is developing Adobe. Adobe Reader Programs provides the user with a complete set of basic functions for reading and viewing PDF documents. If you first encounter such a type of documents, and do not know how to open the PDF file, then Adobe Reader is the perfect choice for you.

In addition to Adobe Reader, Adobe manufactures software for creation PDF. documents. This is Adobe Acrobat. This program is paid and manufactured in two options for Acrobat Standard and Acrobat Pro.

Adobe Screenshot (Acrobat) Reader:

You can learn more about Adobe Reader from the official site.

Another pretty popular program to work with PDF documents. Its popularity program Foxit Reader. Became due to its simplicity and low system resources requirements. Foxit Reader can be used without any problems even on the weakest computers. For a long time This program has been distributed without a installer, just like the EXE file is ready for operation.

At the same time, the Foxit Reader program practically does not give way to Adobe Reader. It has all the necessary features for full-fledged work with PDF files. When they ask me than to open the PDF file, I recommend this program.

It should be noted that Foxit Reader is a cross-platform solution. Now there are versions of this program under such oS as: Microsoft Windows., Windows Mobile, Linux, iOS, Android and Symbian.

Foxit Reader Program Screenshot:

In order to learn more about this software, visit the official website.

Another lightweight and fast program for reading PDF documents. In addition to the simple reading of PDF documents, COOL PDF Reader is equipped with a number of other functions that are profitable to distinguish it from competitors.

Consider in more detail the main features of the COOL PDF Reader:

• View and print PDF documents;
• Conversion of PDF documents into such formats as: TXT, BMP, JPG, GIF, PNG, WMF, EMF and EPS;
• Removing text from PDF format in TXT;
• Support all versions PDF. format;
• Support 68 different languages;
• View PDF files in the form of a slideshow;

At the same time, the program has the size of only 808 kilobytes and is not very demanding to computer resources.

Screenshot Cool PDF Reader:

You can learn more about the Cool PDF Reader program on the official website.

Sumatra PDF is an open program source code. In addition to PDF files, it is also able to work with files in Epub, XPS, MOBI, CHM, DJVU, CBZ and CBR formats. This program is available both in the form of the installer and in the portable version.

Among other features of the Sumatra PDF program should be noted:

• Simple and intuitive interface;
• Support more than 60 languages;
• Correct smoothing of pictures when scaling the document;
• Regular updates;

Sumatra PDF Software Screenshot:

You can learn more about the program on the official website.

Stdu Viewer is a universal program for viewing electronic documents. STDU VIEWER program supports a large number of Formats and equipped with all the necessary functions to work with them. Installing this programYou will no longer have questions how to open a PDF file, or a document in another format. Stdu Viewer will solve all your problems.

Consider in more detail the main features sTDU programs Viewer:

• View Documents in Formats: PDF, Comic Book Archive (CBR or CBZ), DJVU, FB2, XPS, TCR, EPUB, Multi-page TIFF, TXT, EMF, WMF, Palmdoc, BMP, JPG, JPEG, GIF, PNG, PCX, DCX , PSD, MOBI and AZW;
• Simple and understandable interface with tab support;
• The ability to configure document display settings (brightness, contrast, etc.);
• View page thumbnails;
• Creating user bookmarks;
• For text documents, the user is available on the size and color of fonts;
• Powerful search by text documents;
• Support for several languages, among which there is Russian;
• The ability to print documents;

Stdu Viewer is a pretty young program. The first version of STDU VIEWER appeared in 2007. Then the program supported only three formats: PDF, DJVU and TIFF. As we see, during the development of the program passed long way And now allows you to open a large number of different formats.

Stdu Viewer Programs Screenshot:

You can learn more about this program on the official website.

A few words about pfd format

PDF or Portable Document Format This is one of the common electronic document formats. This format was developed by Adobe Systems. The first version of the format appeared back back in 1993. After that, the format actively developed. Almost every year it appeared support for new features. So, during the development of the Portable Document format, such features were added as: protection with password, UNICOD support, interactive elements, references, digital signatures, transparency, text layers, forms, encryption and much more.

The main purpose of PDF is publishing printing products in in electronic format. Most of the professional printed equipment supports the format, and can print such documents without additional processing or conversion.

At the beginning of its path, the PDF format was not greatly popular. And there were objective reasons for it:

• The required software for working with the format was paid;
• In the format there was no support external referencesthat did not allow to fully use it in the World Wide Web;
• Files B. pDF format Weighed significantly more than ordinary text documents. It also created obstacles to use it on the Internet;
• Processing documents B. this format Required significant system resources, which led to a slow display of the document on weak computers:
• In addition, there were other formats that created competition.

Now, none of these problems is no longer relevant for PDF format. Adobe has released a free version of the program to view PDF files, programs from other manufacturers also appeared.

For more than 10 years of existence, the format has passed a long way of development and at the moment is a very powerful and flexible tool for creating documents.

Adobe Reader is the most popular program for viewing and working with PDF files format.

Basically, Adobe Corporation supplies commercial software. However, in order to promote licensed paid products, the company also produces some share of free software for Windows and other OS. For example, on the Internet, without difficulty, you can download free Adobe Reader - a program for working with PDF-format documents.

Adobe Reader, without exaggeration, can be called program No. 1 among "Viewers" pDF documents (Portable Document Format). The popularity of Adobe Rieder is so large that the number of users is measured by nine-digit numbers.

The secret of unprecedented success in promoting the Digital Product Adobe Rieder is not only possible to download free Adobe Reader without registration and SMS, but the fact that it is not just a "reader", but a powerful tool for working with PDF files. By the way, we have been laid out the Russian version, which will be convenient in understanding for many residents of the CIS countries.

Adobe Reader is a full, multifunctional tool that takes a worthy place in the ADOBE digital product line! The main functions for working with PDF include: copying images and textual content, full-text search, print on the printer, change the orientation of pages, two-page viewing mode and so on.

Constantly improving the product, Adobe Corporation offers updated versions (free!), Expanding the functionality of the program. For example, Adobe Reader allows you to search online directly from the user interface program. It is possible to create commercial publications, with a copy ban. And this is not a complete list of program capabilities. You can download free Adobe Reader in Russian from our site and try the entire functionality of this program on your experience.

This category of programs includes free programs for reading and commenting (annotation) PDF documents capable of replacing a slow and bloated Adobe Reader. Despite many years of experience, for a number of Adobe Reader parameters, still lags behind its counterparts.

Note: Of course, it is necessary to take into account that Adobe is a commercial company, therefore it cannot be a special zeal in the development of a free version.

In any class of programs, it is necessary to determine the criteria based on which you can identify the favorites. Nevertheless, they need to correlate with the fact that each user has its own needs and preferences. Therefore, within this category, versatile criteria were taken, which, with high probability, will take into account most needs. Criteria themselves:

• Ability to open PDF files. No, this is not a joke. Not all PDF files are the same. The test set consisted of about a dozen different files. Of different sizes, with different settings Security, forms and graphic content. Basically, these are typical files used by most people. It is worth noting that none of the considered programs could not correctly display the test file with Adobe 3D image. When conducting tests, hard selection occurred. Any reader that could not correctly read the PDF document, with the exception of this file with 3D, immediately excluded from consideration.
• File opening speed. In this case, the criterion was somewhat softer. It was about seconds. If the discovery difference was a second-two, then it was acceptable. Agree that delays in a few seconds cause indignation. Especially if a small document.
• Graphic user interface (GUI). In this case, both functionality and simplicity of use were taken into account. If a little in other words, how aesthetically, controls and functions are located, as well as how much the entire interface is easy to use by conventional users.
• Experience in reading documents. This factor includes as intuitiveness (what to expect? Where to look for? What is pressed?, Etc.; In fact, all navigation elements) and the speed of the rendering of text and images.
• Annotation Tools (Comment). One of the important aspects of reading programs PDF is the ability to marry, comment and add images to an existing document. And in consequence, to maintain the result obtained without watermarks of trial versions.
• Optical Symbol Recognition (OCR). OCR is the ability to convert the scanned image to the readable text. And this is a fairly important feature. This feature makes text inside the document available for search and copy. Unfortunately, only one of the products under consideration contains this feature. Details further in the discussion.
• Installation process. In addition to everything, all programs were considered in terms of the ease of installation. There is a sad tendency to include various third-party and unnecessary, and sometimes even harmful, software products in the installer.

Note: Software Not tested on Windows 8. However, on the developers' sites, Windows 8 support is available.

Review of free PDF file readers (readers)

From the entire set of available free PDF-documents readers, the first two are allocated. These include extensive features for viewing and commenting out PDF files. But, about it in more detail in order.

PDF-XChange Viewer Full Functional Reader

This is a full-featured horse remains the best choice In this category. Taking into account the exception of files with 3D images specified above. The program was able to quickly open and accurately display all files from the test assembly. In this case, you can change the size of the pages, turn them over. Export documents and their parts to various image formats.

The tile window interface with multiple tabs allows you to read and comment on several documents at once, without having to move across several open copies of the program. Plus, for quick movement, not only different options for displaying documents in the program window are provided, but also keeping navigation history. You can walk through all viewed parts of different documents with only a few mouse clicks.

In addition to viewing options, PDF XChange includes a wide range of tools for commenting and creating bookmarks in PDF documents. An annotation toolbox contains many drawing tools, including a grid mapping to create an exact picture. Comments can be hidden, export or imported.

Also, the program supports document encryption, security management and document properties. All controls are easily accessible and easy to use. Unfortunately, in contrast to some other PDF readers, XChanger lacks the ability to add digital signatures.

One of the important components of any PDF reader is to search for text in the file. And it is here, PDF-XCHANGER bypassing all its analogues. It knows how to convert and save a scanned image or text in the form of a picture in the PDF document in readable and accessible text. The OCR process allows you to get a convenient and indexed document.

Note: If you use various services or programs that can index the text of PDF documents, then, most likely, you have already remembered those bodies, which, through a happy occasion, are made up of many beautiful pictures, including text.

It is worth noting that the interface is similar to Windows XP. However, by opening the program, you will not have any particular complaints. The graphical interface is accurately accurate and pleasant.

Unfortunately, the installer includes a special browser panel. So if you don't like to use portable versionsAnd prefer to install programs, then you should be cautious during the installation process to avoid installing extra and unnecessary software.

Foxit Reader Alternative PDF-XChange PDF File Reader

A worthy opponent in this category is Foxit Reader, especially if you do not need OCR tools. The program was able to open and accurately pass all the same files, even a little faster than PDF xchanger.

Foxit contains similar functions for viewing and navigating documents by adding documents to them out loud. As in XChanger, all documents open in the form of tabs, which allows you to quickly read and comment on several documents at once.

While other programs in this category were relatively static in their development, Foxit has constantly developed. The latest version of Foxit already offers different display options for the graphical interface. Depending on how accustomed to different kinds of views, you may like both the "classic" interface and the "Ribbon" interface. The tape is similar to the Microsoft Office panel.

Of course, the tools forms of annotations initially can cause some problems, but, otherwise, and this navigation and editing, controls are well organized quite well. If we speak in general over the interface, then it is in many ways intuitive.

An annotation tool array is as huge and impressive as the PDF XChange. The user can fill in forms, fully comment on the documents and save all the works in the form in which he did. Foxit includes some unique controls that allow you to add pictures, multimedia files and so on.

The program supports some functions for co-edit and exchange through social media. The program allows you to sign and check on the validity of documents with an electronic signature, with the help of the commercial service Docusign. Despite the fact that Foxit can open encrypted files, in it, unfortunately, there are no functions to configure file security.

Caution! Foxit comes with various unwanted components that will attempt to install toolbar to the browser and change the system settings. The components themselves are regularly changing. Users need to be greater caution during the installation process to avoid problems.

Sumatra PDF Viewer Excellent Simple PDF File Reading Program

If all you need from PDF reader is reading and printing. That Sumatra is what you were looking for. Perhaps the utility is not so rich in opportunities and has a number of restrictions in image rendering, but it is compensated by a large set of different viewing options. As you probably already understood, Sumatra does not provide for editing or commenting documents.

Note: To be somewhat honest, then there are not many ordinary users about the possibility of commenting. Most use this class of programs solely to read documents.

Quick Selection Guide (links to download programs for reading PDF files)

PDF-XCHANGE VIEWER

		Reasonable download speed. Print documents. Extensive commenting options without adding watermarks. There are OCR (image recognition). It can recognize not only scanned images, but also the PDF documents themselves. A huge number of settings, including encryption, properties and safety. Beautiful and nice interface.
		In the installer there are unnecessary and unnecessary software.

Foxit Reader.

		Fast. Different types of user interface. Extensive commenting options. Partial integration with social media. Can check and add electronic signatures. Large set of functionality. Able to read encrypted files.
		No OCR support. In the installer, unwanted components are sitting, which will constantly try to change the browser and system settings. Therefore, when installing, care must be taken in choosing components. Operating instructions are loaded separately.

For convenience, select four types of programs: Viewers (for reading and annotating), editors (to edit text and other content), managers (for breakdown, compression and other manipulations with files) and converters (for pDF transformations In other formats).

Most applications can be attributed directly to several types.

• A type: Viewer, editor, converter, manager.
• Platform: Windows, MacOS, Linux.

Very intuitive and convenient program with an impressive number of functions. Running SEJDA PDF, you will immediately see all the tools grouped by category. Choose the desired, drag the program in the window required file. And proceed to manipulations. Most of this application can be performed in a few seconds, even if you use it for the first time.

What can be done in SEJDA PDF:

• edit text, add images and shapes;
• convert PDF B. excel formats, Jpg (and vice versa), Word (and on the contrary);
• combine and divide files by pages, compress their size;
• protect password documents;
• add watermarks;
• bleach documents;
• trim pages;
• sign documents.

The free version of the program has limitations. For example, files should not have more than 200 pages and exceed 50 MB. In addition, it is impossible to perform more than three operations with documents during the day. Cost full version SEJDA PDF is $ 5.25 per month.

• A type: manager, converter, editor.
• Platform: Windows, MacOS ,.

PDFSAM cannot boast polished to perfection, convenient interface. In addition, the program does not allow convert PDF and edit the contents of documents for free. But there are several useful managerial functions available to all without paying any restrictions.

What can be done in pdfsam:

• combine PDF in multiple modes (glue in parts or stir page);
• break the PDF on the pages bookmarks (in places with the specified words) and the size of the individual documents;
• rotate the pages (if some of them were scanned upside down);
• retrieve pages with specified numbers;
• convert Excel, Word, PowerPoint formats in PDF;
• convert PDF to Excel, Word and PowerPoint formats (10 dollars);
• edit text and other file contents (30 dollars).

• A type
• Platform: Windows.

Very functional program with a classic interface in the style of Microsoft office applications. PDF-XChange Editor is not too friendly in relation to beginners. To master all the features of the program, you need to spend some time. Fortunately, all internal descriptions and tips are translated into Russian.

What can be done in PDF-XChange Editor:

• add annotations and highlight text;
• edit text and other content;
• recognize text using OCR;
• remove pages from documents;
• encrypt documents (fee);
• convert PDF to Word, Excel and PowerPoint formats and vice versa (charge);
• compress files (charge);
• sort pages in any order (charge).

This is not all the functions you can find in PDF-XChange Editor. The program is available in several versions with different capabilities. The cost of paid versions begins with 43.5 dollars.

• A type: Viewer, Manager, Converter, Editor.
• Platform: Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS.

Popular universal program for working with PDF from the company. Free version Represents a very convenient viewer of documents, the other functions are available on a subscription at a price of 149 rubles per month.

What can be done in Adobe Acrobat Reader:

• view documents, allocate and comment on text, look for words and phrases;
• sign documents (charge);
• edit text and other contents (charge);
• combine documents in one file (charge);
• compress files (charge);
• convert PDF to Word, Excel and PowerPoint formats (charge);
• convert images jPG formats, JPEG, TIF and BMP in PDF (charge).

All these and other features are available in the desktop options for Adobe Acrobat Reader. Mobile versions Programs allow us to only view and annotate documents, as well as after the subscription design - convert them to different formats.

• A type: Viewer, Converter.
• Platform: Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS.

Fast and convenient PDF reader with different viewing modes. Ideal for users who need a simple means for reading documents without excess additional features. The program is available on all major platforms.

Size: 24139 KB
Price: Free
Russian interface language: yes

Adobe Reader is the most popular application for reading documents in PDF format. An important factor for distributing Adobe Reader is its presence on a variety of drivers with drivers, games and other applications. The developer has attached to its product documentation in PDF format, but standard means Windows do not allow it to read it. Need to add to disk special program. Its choice in the overwhelming majority of cases is not original - this is Adobe Reader.

New versions of applications, the development of which began for a long time, often turn the mass of secondary functions, the interface is complicated, the speed of work is reduced. And now more progressive and nimble competitors slowly displace an old man from the market. But Adobe Reader is nothing to do. On the contrary latest versions The programs are much easier to master than their older brothers. The program is developing, first of all, towards supporting new PDF standards, allowing you to display more complex documents using the latest technology Visualization.

The Adobe Reader operating window contains a toolbar with a small number of buttons (nothing superfluous), as well as a small sidebar, from which the main service modes of the application are called. The status line, in its familiar understanding, no.

Toolbar is flexibly configured. You can add or delete buttons on them, move them, block changes.

Ease of reading documents is provided by a powerful scaling system. You can show the entire page on the screen, tie its scale horizontally or vertically. The last option is not found in other applications. In addition, you can bind about the contents of the page. The document is shown a little larger by eliminating fields.

Supported by view full Screen. Unlike some competitors, this regime absolutely justifies its name. There are no control elements on the screen, only the pages of the open document. There is also a second, less radical mode. With it, all panels are hidden than the title window and the main menu. Again there is a big saving of free space on the screen.

The program has a powerful search system. You can search for text not only in open DocumentBut also in all PDF inside the specified folder. Supports the word search entirely, the register is taken into account. You can search not only directly in the text of the document, but also in bookmarks and in the comments.

Adobe Reader implements support for shapes. With it, you can enter, save and send information. There is support for bar codes. You can configure the rules for automatic filling of forms. If you allow right, you can add comments to the forms. And, most importantly, that distinguishes Adobe Reader from other applications is the ability to check spelling in text input fields.

There is support for document authentication, view protection. You can specify trusted persons, certificates. Advanced access assistant allows you to change the rules of displaying the current document if its protection does not prohibit such actions. This is necessary, for example, for users with weak vision. Adobe Reader facilitates viewing and navigating PDF documents to people with disabilities. The extended features include automatic scrolling of text, PDF reconnection, control exclusively using the keyboard, reading the text of the document out loud.

A separate panel allows you to view the list of comments to the document. You can implement the text search. It is possible to sort them by type, as of reviewers. For all changes made to the document, the pattering inspector is watching. You can view your own adjustments, a change history, a list of what needs to be done.

The program contains an RSS news reading module. You can subscribe to channels, read their reading in a separate dialog box. Honestly, it is not entirely clear why the RSS-reader also needed in the PDF viewing tool. Network functions are not limited to this. You can also organize online conferences using Adobe Reader, as well as joint viewing documents.

You can work with digital signatures. This uses certificates. With the help of configuration of directory servers, you can determine the location of certificates, store them.

Last adobe version Reader supports all modern standards used in PDF documents. For this reason, the component of viewing three-dimensional images is enabled. hardware acceleration. Special model panel allows you to view their list, open, rotate, scaling.

The program has a rather detailed local reference system. But the most complete information is provided online, on the official application page. She is already in English.

If there are no specific application requirements, then Adobe Reader is today the optimal choice For reading PDF documents. Support for all standards allows you to not worry about whether a complex file will be displayed correctly. In addition, the program is embedded in modern browsers, which makes it possible to quickly online preview of the documents downloadable from the network.

The only moment where an alternative application may be at the height - this system requirements. Adobe Reader is pretty big size Distribution, takes quite a lot of space in random access memory And it works a little slower than some competitors. However, the program was tested on a rather old car, and even the discovery of electronic versions of magazines, books with dozens of megabytes, did not lead to a noticeable deceleration. work Adobe Reader.