PDF (Portable Document Format) files are widely used for creating and sharing documents, because PDFs keep the file format intact, regardless of the viewing operating system and software used. Since PDFs are special files, you will need special software to open them. with the right software, almost any device can open and view PDF files.
Step
Method 1 of 5: Windows
Step 1. Download Adobe Reader
This is a free program that can open PDF files so they can be read. Adobe Reader can be downloaded from get.adobe.com/reader/. You cannot use it to edit or create PDF files.
- Look for the wikiHow guide to learn how to edit PDF files.
- There are other free PDF readers available if you don't want to install Adobe Reader.
- Windows 8 includes a PDF reader if you don't want to use Adobe Reader.
Step 2. Reject McAfee's offer
When installing Adobe Reader, a box to add McAfee to your computer is automatically checked. Most users don't want this, so make sure you uncheck it.
Step 3. Double-click the PDF file after installing Adobe Reader
For most users, Reader will open automatically and display the PDF file.
Step 4. Enter the password if required
PDF files can be password protected by the author, so you need the correct password to open them.
Solve the problem
Step 1. Windows prompts the program to open the file
If you have Adobe Reader installed but the PDF file won't open, associate the Reader with the PDF file.
- Right click on the PDF file and select " Open With ".
- Select "Adobe Reader" from the list of programs.
- If Adobe Reader is not listed, look for it on your computer. The program is usually located in C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Reader
Step 2. The PDF requires a password
If the PDF file requires a password and you don't have one, the only way to open it is to ask the PDF creator for the password or use a password-cracking program. If the password is strong, hacking the program could take hours or even days to recover the password.
One of the highest rated PDF hacking programs is Advanced PDF password Recovery by Elcomsoft. You'll need the Pro edition to access all password recovery utilities, which can be purchased for $99
Step 3. The PDF does not open because it is not compatible
Adobe may refuse to open a PDF if it doesn't comply with PDF standards. This is most common with PDFs created with non-Adobe software, or if you open an older PDF with a newer version of Reader.
- Install a third-party PDF reader. There are many PDF readers available, and Foxit Reader is one of the more popular choices.
- Upload the PDF file to Google Drive. You may lose some of the content formats in it, but the chances of being able to open it are greater.
Method 2 of 5: Mac
Step 1. Double-click the PDF file
OS X includes Preview, a utility that opens a wide variety of files including PDFs. Preview allows you to read PDF files, but not edit them.
Look for the wikiHow guide to learn how to edit PDF files
Step 2. Change the program that OS X uses to open PDF files
If you have another PDF program and no longer want to use Preview, set a PDF file opener with this new program.
- Select the PDF file in the Finder but don't open it.
- Click menu File and select "Get Info".
- Expand the "Open with" section.
- Select the application you want to use in the drop-down menu.
- Click Change All…
Step 3. Enter the password if required
A password protected PDF will prevent unauthorized readers from opening the file. If you don't have a password, the only way to open the file is to hack it.
To be able to crack passwords, iStonsoft PDF Password Remover for Mac is one of the highly rated program choices. If the file password is strong, it can take hours or even days to crack the file
Solve the problem
Step 1. PDF does not open in Safari
This is usually caused by an Adobe plugin error after updating Safari. You can fix this manually by removing the plugin and restarting Safari.
- Go to /Library/Internet Plugins/ and delete AdobePDF.plugin
- Go to /User/Username/Library/Internet Plugins/ and delete AdobePDF.plugin
- Restart Safari and try opening the PDF again.
Step 2. Adobe could not open PDF name because.
..".
This error usually appears if you save a PDF file using the " Save As " or " PDF Export " option in Safari.
- Reopen the PDF in Safari.
- Click the Disk (Save) button at the top of the window or from the menu that appears when you move your mouse to the bottom in the middle of the page.
- Save the PDF file to your computer.
- Open the newly saved file.
Step 3. The PDF file is not downloading in Firefox
If you download a PDF file in Firefox and nothing happens, your Adobe Reader plugin may have a problem.
- Click the Firefox menu and select "Tools".
- Select "Add-ons" then "Plugins".
- Find and disable "Adobe Acrobat NPAPi Plugin".
Method 3 of 5: Android
Step 1. Download an application that supports PDF files
While Android doesn't support reading PDF files, there are lots of free apps that are easy to open PDF files. You may even have installed one of these apps:
- Google Drive
- Quickoffice
- Adobe Reader
- Foxit MobilePDF
Step 2. Find the PDF file you want to open
When you download a PDF file, you can usually open it from the Notification bar by tapping the file when it's finished downloading. If you want to open this PDF file later, open the Downloads folder.
- Open the "My Files" or "File Manager" application on your device. If you don't have it, download this app for free from Google Play store.
- Open the Downloads folder. This is the default location for storing any downloaded files.
- Tap the PDF file to open it. If you have selected the default application, the file will open automatically. If you install only one PDF file opener, or if you have more than one PDF reader installed, you will be prompted to select the application you want to use.
Solve the problem
Step 1. The message " Can't open file " appears when opening the downloaded PDF file
There are several causes for this problem.
- Use the File Manager application to open the downloaded file. You can find it in the Downloads folder. If you can open the file using File Manager, reset the browser.
- Change browsers by opening the Settings app, then selecting "Apps" or "Applications", find the browser in the application list, then tap the "Clear data" button.
Step 2. The PDF tries to open the file with the wrong application
if the PDF is opened with an application that does not support PDF, you may have set the default application incorrectly.
- Open the Settings app.
- Select "Apps" or "Applications".
- Select the application that is trying to open the PDF file.
- In the "Launch by Default" section, tap "Clear default".
- Reopen the PDF file again. You will be asked to select the application you want to use.
Method 4 of 5: iOS
Step 1. Tap the PDF file you want to open
iOS includes a built-in PDF reader to open PDF attachments in email or PDFs from the internet.
Step 2. Tap open PDF to open the menu
This allows you to choose another application to handle PDFs.
Step 3. Tap on "Open in"
.. or the Share button.
If you view the PDF in the Mail app, use the Share button. If you're viewing the PDF in Safari, use the " Open in …" button. This will display a list of applications that support PDF.
Step 4. Select the application you want to use
You can add PDF files to iBooks, or open them in Adobe Reader or any other PDF app you have installed on your iOS device. The PDF will immediately open in the selected application.
Method 5 of 5: Kindle
Step 1. Transfer the PDF file to your Kindle
There are several ways you can do this.
- Connect your Kindle to your computer and add files to your Kindle storage. Click here to find out more about how.
- You can wirelessly transfer PDF files using Kindle's free e-mail transfer.
Step 2. Open the file on the Kindle
Once the PDF file has been transferred, you can select it from the Kindle library.
