How to Edit a PDF on Windows for Free (No Acrobat)

Windows doesn't come with a full PDF editor, but you don't need to buy one. You have two free options: Microsoft Edge, which is the PDF viewer on most Windows PCs, and a PDF editor that runs in your browser.

Option 1: Microsoft Edge

When you double-click a PDF on Windows, it usually opens in Edge. Edge can do some light editing:

  • fill in basic form fields (not forms that rely on scripts, and not XFA forms)
  • draw on the page with ink, for example to sign with a mouse, pen or touchscreen
  • highlight text and add comments

When you're done, save the file. Microsoft describes these features in PDF reader in Microsoft Edge.

Option 2: A free PDF editor in your browser

For more editing tools in one place, open a browser-based editor in Edge or Chrome:

  1. Go to edit PDFs in your browser and drag your PDF from File Explorer onto the page, or click Choose PDF.
  2. Add text anywhere: press Add text, click where it goes and type. Pick a font, size and colour, and drag the text into place.
  3. Fill in form fields by clicking them. Use ✓ and ✗ for tick boxes and Date for today's date.
  4. Sign with Add signature: draw with your mouse or touchscreen, type your name in a handwriting style, or use a photo of your signature.
  5. Add a picture or markings with Add image, Shapes (boxes, circles, lines and arrows) and Pen (freehand or highlighter).
  6. Change pages in Pages: rotate, delete, reorder, add a blank page or add the pages of another PDF.
  7. Press Download edited PDF. The copy is saved to your Downloads folder with "-edited" added to the name.

Made a mistake? Ctrl+Z undoes it.

Tips

  • Zoom in before placing text in small boxes. Press + in the editor.
  • Match the form's text size so your answers don't look out of place.
  • Open the downloaded copy once before you send it.

Is it free?

Yes. Edge is already on your PC, and the browser editor needs no account, adds no watermark and doesn't upload your PDF: it's opened and saved in your browser. That's worth knowing when the PDF holds your address, bank details or signature.

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