View, edit or create PDF files with this rich-featured application, which also offers support for drawing tools, signatures, full screen mode and more

What's new in Foxit Reader 9.5.0 Build 20723:

  • New Features:
  • Epona DMSforLegal Integration
  • Use Reader to directly open/check out PDF files from Epona DMSforLegal and after making changes save/check them in to Epona DMSforLegal.
  • Viewing Article in PDF:
Read the full changelog

PDF files are widely used for their high compression and increased quality when it comes to containing images, forms or formatted texts. And since Windows does not provide native support for this format, a specialized application is required to access their contents, such as Foxit Reader.

Specifically designed to work with PDF files in the easiest way ever, Foxit Reader is an intuitive application that serves its purpose pretty well: it opens PDFs instantly without bothering the user too much and, at the same time, offering them some very interesting goodies.

User-friendly PDF reader with handy features

When installing Foxit Reader, users have the possibility of disabling the shell extensions that would integrate the software's functions within Windows Explorer. The Trust Manager feature is another useful one, since this safe reading mode does not allow the opening of links and websites directly from a PDF file, while also preventing JavaScripts codes.

Foxit Reader has quite an eye-candy interface but those who want to customize it can easily resort to applying a skin or opting for another color scheme. Though packed with numerous buttons and menus, the UI does not seem crowded, leaving plenty of room for viewing any PDF file, rotating or zooming it, as well as easily sharing it on Facebook .

Key features to play with

Unlike basic PDF viewers, Foxit Reader allows users to read the file's comments, preview each layer and attachment, as well as verify or validate the signatures. It also supports text-to-speech, meaning that it can read aloud a selected page or the entire document.

Furthermore, documents can be viewed as text-only files, thus stripping all the images or objects and accessing only the actual text, with no distractions. A full-screen mode is also within reach, when users want to focus on their files.

Editing operations and extra functions

Foxit Reader gives you the possibility to work with a multi-tabbed layout, insert rulers, add notes, callouts and text boxes, as well as create links, attach new files, and embed images, audio and video.

Plus, you may add or remove bookmarks, view and modify security settings (e.g. printing, form filling), create a PDF or insert pages from scanned documents, and draw freehand designs.

To sum it up, Foxit Reader is a great app for PDF management, and since it comes with a free license and works on every single Windows version out there, everyone can take it for a spin and decide if it is a keeper on their PC.

Foxit Reader Video Guide

Filed under

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
  • 1.3 GHz or faster processor
  • 512 MB RAM (Recommended: 1 GB RAM or greater)
  • 1 GB of available hard drive space
  • 1024*768 screen resolution
Foxit Reader was reviewed by Bogdan Popa
5.0/5

Foxit Reader is part of these download collections: Open PDF, PDF Viewers, View JB2

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Foxit Reader 9.5.0 Build 20723

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portable version
A portable version of this application is available: Portable Foxit Reader
file size:
159 MB
runs on:
Windows 10 32/64 bit
Windows 8 32/64 bit
Windows 7 32/64 bit
main category:
Office tools
35 screenshots:
developer:
visit homepage

Foxit Reader creates, converts, and edits PDFs (including secure documents), accepts plug-ins, and makes it easy to collaborate and share documents by email and social media.

Pros

Layout: Foxit Reader's layout takes design cues from Office, like the ribbon-style main toolbar, though the software has its own touches, like the Quick Access Toolbar. Nearly everything can be customized.

Protect: Foxit Reader's security features include DocuSign options on the Protect tab.

Read out loud: The View tab's Read feature can read documents out loud through headphones or your PC's loudspeakers. Sliders adjust speech rate and volume.

Support: Hundreds of millions of users have helped Foxit's developers work the bugs out of Reader and add the features and extras that work best. Help is available in abundance, including manuals, error reports, and Command Line Help.

Cons

Complicated: Despite a well-designed interface, Foxit Reader can seem busy and complicated. You can customize things to suit your needs, but that's another complication. Since cost isn't an issue, more basic one-function PDF utilities sometimes offer faster solutions.

Bottom Line

Foxit Reader isn't the only excellent freeware PDF solution out there, but it's certainly one of the top few. Business-oriented upgrades are available for a price, but the freeware has more than enough for most users.

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