Using the free Adobe acrobat reader you can view PDF documents on Windows OS. However, if you want to create a PDF document, or convert an existing Microsoft Word document to a PDF, you should buy the Adobe acrobat writer, which is not free.
This article lists 5 best free PDF writers for windows, which will help you create PDF documents.
1. Primo PDF
Primo PDF is currently the most popular PDF writers for Windows that can convert any file type to a PDF. It has a friendly user-interface that comes with desktop icon that will allow you to drag and drop files onto for easy conversion. It also provides a functionality to optimize PDF output for screen, print, eBook and prepress and secure pdf files. With its 7.38mb file size, the new version is quicker to launch and easy to handle.
PDFCreator is an application for converting documents into Portable Document Format (PDF) format on Microsoft Windows operating systems. It works by creating a virtual printer that prints to PDF files, and thereby allows practically any application to create PDF files by choosing to print from within the application and then printing to the PDFCreator printer. About: Adobe Acrobat Reader DC software is the free global standard for reliably viewing, printing, and commenting on PDF documents. And now, it's connected to the Adobe Document Cloud − making it easier than ever to work across computers and mobile devices. PDFCreator for Windows XP (32/64 bit) PDFCreator for Windows XP - a program to convert text files to pdf. The utility installs a virtual printer in the operating system, providing the generation of pdf documents from most text or graphic applications.
- Our Rating:
- Pros: ability to drop files on shortcut; features password-protection for restricting reading, editing or printing PDF; custom setting is available; easy access and toggle on quality settings from screen; User-friendly interface.
- Cons: defaults to print the file as a long directory name and destination folder has to be manually entered every time; the interface also advertise other PDF related software from Nitro which usually takes a good amount of space in the interface.
- OS: Windows 98/2000/XP/Vista/7(x32 & x64)
2. PDF24
PDF24 is one of the most popular file formats that make the whole process of creating a PDF as simple and easy like printing. It will let you create any pdf file from almost any type of application for as long as it provides a 'print' option. The PDF24 icon also appears along with your installed printers; hence you can easily access it from any print menu of virtually any program.
- Our Rating:
- Pros: has both writer and reader functionality; comes with PDF editor that can merge multiple PDF to one, split or extract pages from PDF;
- Cons: no help wizard to guide users, although most of the tools are easy to understand and navigate; PDF editor is somewhat confusing with limited features for editing.
- OS: Windows XP/Vista/7
PDFCreator is an application for converting documents into Portable Document Format (PDF) format on Microsoft Windows operating systems. It works by creating a virtual printer that prints to PDF files, and thereby allows practically any application to create PDF files by choosing to print from within the application and then printing to the PDFCreator printer. About: Adobe Acrobat Reader DC software is the free global standard for reliably viewing, printing, and commenting on PDF documents. And now, it's connected to the Adobe Document Cloud − making it easier than ever to work across computers and mobile devices. PDFCreator for Windows XP (32/64 bit) PDFCreator for Windows XP - a program to convert text files to pdf. The utility installs a virtual printer in the operating system, providing the generation of pdf documents from most text or graphic applications.
- Our Rating:
- Pros: ability to drop files on shortcut; features password-protection for restricting reading, editing or printing PDF; custom setting is available; easy access and toggle on quality settings from screen; User-friendly interface.
- Cons: defaults to print the file as a long directory name and destination folder has to be manually entered every time; the interface also advertise other PDF related software from Nitro which usually takes a good amount of space in the interface.
- OS: Windows 98/2000/XP/Vista/7(x32 & x64)
2. PDF24
PDF24 is one of the most popular file formats that make the whole process of creating a PDF as simple and easy like printing. It will let you create any pdf file from almost any type of application for as long as it provides a 'print' option. The PDF24 icon also appears along with your installed printers; hence you can easily access it from any print menu of virtually any program.
- Our Rating:
- Pros: has both writer and reader functionality; comes with PDF editor that can merge multiple PDF to one, split or extract pages from PDF;
- Cons: no help wizard to guide users, although most of the tools are easy to understand and navigate; PDF editor is somewhat confusing with limited features for editing.
- OS: Windows XP/Vista/7
3. Bull zip PDF Printer
Like PDF24, Bull zip PFD printer also allows you to virtually write PDF documents from any windows application; it also comes with the ability t password-protect your pdf files, add a watermark and choose different levels of output quality.
- Our Rating:
- Pros: feature-packed PDF writer with so many options to choose from; has the functionality to add/change metadata and use either 40 or 128 bit encryption on the file.
- Cons: it requires Ghost Script 8.64+; needs polishing in some key features, but works well for basic use.
- OS: Windows 7 (32-bit and 64-bit), Windows Vista (32-bit and 64-bit), Windows 2008 Server, Windows XP, Windows 2003, Windows 2000, Windows NT/ME/98
4. PDF Creator
PDF creator is one of the best free PDF writers that comes with a choice for a standalone install or a server install which makes it ideal for use in office setting. It also has the functionality to password protect pdf files, use 40 or 128 bit encryption on the file and ability to append or prepend files.
- Our Rating:
- Pros: it comes with great features such as ability to add/change metadata; installed as a standalone or server install; ability to add watermark
- Cons: watermark functionality has limitations; features not as comprehensive as bullzip
- OS: Windows 98/2000/XP/Vista/7(x32 & x64)
5. PDF redirect
A simple and yet effective PDF creator which has no restrictions and no pop-up advertisements. It has functionality for full merging and PDF preview as well as encryption. It has a clean and user-friendly interface with plenty of languages available.
- Our Rating:
- Pros: features both writer and reader functionalities; ability to control the size of PDF; full merging capabilities;
- Cons: occasionally hangs on save
- OS: Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista/Server 2008/7
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Adobe Reader Free Download For Windows Xp
You've already spent a lot to purchase your laptop that runs on Windows.
Don't waste any more purchasing commercial software for your Windows systems when there are several very good free alternatives available.
There are a total of 100 freeware programs listed in this eBook, each with a brief description, download link, and review link.