My Adobe reader was going dead slow opening large documents, and also seemed to be generating GB of temporary files that made themselves permanent.

So I downloaded the latest version which then told me that 2 GB was not enough free space to install a bloody pdf file reader.

Then after deleting a load of stuff that I hope I have backups for, I got it installed and discovered that the main purpose of the programme seemed to be to advertise their expensive products, rather than a quick way to read pdf files.

Eventually found I could download the DC version from the Windows store, and discovered that had also been rearranged to make everything more difficult than it used to be.

So the question is, what is the best alternative to Adobe Reader, if you just want to open pdf files so you can read them, with the minimum hassle and wait time?

The Rev Dodgson said:

My Adobe reader was going dead slow opening large documents, and also seemed to be generating GB of temporary files that made themselves permanent.

So I downloaded the latest version which then told me that 2 GB was not enough free space to install a bloody pdf file reader.

Then after deleting a load of stuff that I hope I have backups for, I got it installed and discovered that the main purpose of the programme seemed to be to advertise their expensive products, rather than a quick way to read pdf files.

Eventually found I could download the DC version from the Windows store, and discovered that had also been rearranged to make everything more difficult than it used to be.

So the question is, what is the best alternative to Adobe Reader, if you just want to open pdf files so you can read them, with the minimum hassle and wait time?

Try PDF24.

The Rev Dodgson said:

My Adobe reader was going dead slow opening large documents, and also seemed to be generating GB of temporary files that made themselves permanent.

So I downloaded the latest version which then told me that 2 GB was not enough free space to install a bloody pdf file reader.

Then after deleting a load of stuff that I hope I have backups for, I got it installed and discovered that the main purpose of the programme seemed to be to advertise their expensive products, rather than a quick way to read pdf files.

Eventually found I could download the DC version from the Windows store, and discovered that had also been rearranged to make everything more difficult than it used to be.

So the question is, what is the best alternative to Adobe Reader, if you just want to open pdf files so you can read them, with the minimum hassle and wait time?

I use Foxit.

Woodie said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

My Adobe reader was going dead slow opening large documents, and also seemed to be generating GB of temporary files that made themselves permanent.

So I downloaded the latest version which then told me that 2 GB was not enough free space to install a bloody pdf file reader.

Then after deleting a load of stuff that I hope I have backups for, I got it installed and discovered that the main purpose of the programme seemed to be to advertise their expensive products, rather than a quick way to read pdf files.

Eventually found I could download the DC version from the Windows store, and discovered that had also been rearranged to make everything more difficult than it used to be.

So the question is, what is the best alternative to Adobe Reader, if you just want to open pdf files so you can read them, with the minimum hassle and wait time?

Try PDF24.

That says it’s a creator though. I just need a reader. Is it a good reader as well?

The Rev Dodgson said:

My Adobe reader was going dead slow opening large documents, and also seemed to be generating GB of temporary files that made themselves permanent.

So I downloaded the latest version which then told me that 2 GB was not enough free space to install a bloody pdf file reader.

Then after deleting a load of stuff that I hope I have backups for, I got it installed and discovered that the main purpose of the programme seemed to be to advertise their expensive products, rather than a quick way to read pdf files.

Eventually found I could download the DC version from the Windows store, and discovered that had also been rearranged to make everything more difficult than it used to be.

So the question is, what is the best alternative to Adobe Reader, if you just want to open pdf files so you can read them, with the minimum hassle and wait time?

Evince or Nitro

dv said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

My Adobe reader was going dead slow opening large documents, and also seemed to be generating GB of temporary files that made themselves permanent.

So I downloaded the latest version which then told me that 2 GB was not enough free space to install a bloody pdf file reader.

Then after deleting a load of stuff that I hope I have backups for, I got it installed and discovered that the main purpose of the programme seemed to be to advertise their expensive products, rather than a quick way to read pdf files.

Eventually found I could download the DC version from the Windows store, and discovered that had also been rearranged to make everything more difficult than it used to be.

So the question is, what is the best alternative to Adobe Reader, if you just want to open pdf files so you can read them, with the minimum hassle and wait time?

Evince or Nitro

“Evince (/ˈɛvɪns/), also known as GNOME Document Viewer”

That’s a bit weird :)

But I’ll give it a go.

Have you had problems with Adobe reader, or do you just not use it?

The Rev Dodgson said:

Woodie said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

My Adobe reader was going dead slow opening large documents, and also seemed to be generating GB of temporary files that made themselves permanent.

So I downloaded the latest version which then told me that 2 GB was not enough free space to install a bloody pdf file reader.

Then after deleting a load of stuff that I hope I have backups for, I got it installed and discovered that the main purpose of the programme seemed to be to advertise their expensive products, rather than a quick way to read pdf files.

Eventually found I could download the DC version from the Windows store, and discovered that had also been rearranged to make everything more difficult than it used to be.

So the question is, what is the best alternative to Adobe Reader, if you just want to open pdf files so you can read them, with the minimum hassle and wait time?

Try PDF24.

That says it’s a creator though. I just need a reader. Is it a good reader as well?

I’d call it a “handler” of PDF documents.

Woodie said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

Woodie said:

Try PDF24.

That says it’s a creator though. I just need a reader. Is it a good reader as well?

I’d call it a “handler” of PDF documents.

I’ll try that one too.

Now I’ve got 20 GB free space.

Should last me a day or two.

The Rev Dodgson said:

Woodie said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

That says it’s a creator though. I just need a reader. Is it a good reader as well?

I’d call it a “handler” of PDF documents.

I’ll try that one too.

Now I’ve got 20 GB free space.

Should last me a day or two.

The Bingbot says:

So many options

So little time

The Rev Dodgson said:

dv said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

My Adobe reader was going dead slow opening large documents, and also seemed to be generating GB of temporary files that made themselves permanent.

So I downloaded the latest version which then told me that 2 GB was not enough free space to install a bloody pdf file reader.

Then after deleting a load of stuff that I hope I have backups for, I got it installed and discovered that the main purpose of the programme seemed to be to advertise their expensive products, rather than a quick way to read pdf files.

Eventually found I could download the DC version from the Windows store, and discovered that had also been rearranged to make everything more difficult than it used to be.

So the question is, what is the best alternative to Adobe Reader, if you just want to open pdf files so you can read them, with the minimum hassle and wait time?

Evince or Nitro

“Evince (/ˈɛvɪns/), also known as GNOME Document Viewer”

That’s a bit weird :)

But I’ll give it a go.

Have you had problems with Adobe reader, or do you just not use it?

I did use it in the 2nd millennium so my knowledge of its capacity is out of date.

The Rev Dodgson said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

Woodie said:

I’d call it a “handler” of PDF documents.

I’ll try that one too.

Now I’ve got 20 GB free space.

Should last me a day or two.

The Bingbot says:

So many options

So little time

I use and recommend okular. It supports a broad range of file formats, including postscript (which Adobe’s rubbish no longer supports, even though they invented the language), deja vu, cbz, and even ebook formats. I haven’t used acrobat for decades.

The Rev Dodgson said:

So the question is, what is the best alternative to Adobe Reader, if you just want to open pdf files so you can read them, with the minimum hassle and wait time?

A browser such as Chrome.

KJW said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

So the question is, what is the best alternative to Adobe Reader, if you just want to open pdf files so you can read them, with the minimum hassle and wait time?

A browser such as Chrome.

This – what kind of weirdo faffs around with a stand alone pdf reader.

KJW said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

So the question is, what is the best alternative to Adobe Reader, if you just want to open pdf files so you can read them, with the minimum hassle and wait time?

A browser such as Chrome.

Yeah, Opera opens them as well.

vim

poikilotherm said:

KJW said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

So the question is, what is the best alternative to Adobe Reader, if you just want to open pdf files so you can read them, with the minimum hassle and wait time?

A browser such as Chrome.

This – what kind of weirdo faffs around with a stand alone pdf reader.

Be nice… he’s standing right there.

poikilotherm said:

KJW said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

So the question is, what is the best alternative to Adobe Reader, if you just want to open pdf files so you can read them, with the minimum hassle and wait time?

A browser such as Chrome.

This – what kind of weirdo faffs around with a stand alone pdf reader.

John Edward Warnock

The Rev Dodgson said:

My Adobe reader was going dead slow opening large documents, and also seemed to be generating GB of temporary files that made themselves permanent.

So I downloaded the latest version which then told me that 2 GB was not enough free space to install a bloody pdf file reader.

Then after deleting a load of stuff that I hope I have backups for, I got it installed and discovered that the main purpose of the programme seemed to be to advertise their expensive products, rather than a quick way to read pdf files.

Eventually found I could download the DC version from the Windows store, and discovered that had also been rearranged to make everything more difficult than it used to be.

So the question is, what is the best alternative to Adobe Reader, if you just want to open pdf files so you can read them, with the minimum hassle and wait time?

Foxit.
It is available in a portable version as well.

poikilotherm said:

KJW said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

So the question is, what is the best alternative to Adobe Reader, if you just want to open pdf files so you can read them, with the minimum hassle and wait time?

A browser such as Chrome.

This – what kind of weirdo faffs around with a stand alone pdf reader.

Don’t like the browser pdf readers, either Chrome or Edge.

The Rev Dodgson said:

poikilotherm said:

KJW said:

A browser such as Chrome.

This – what kind of weirdo faffs around with a stand alone pdf reader.

Don’t like the browser pdf readers, either Chrome or Edge.

Lynx

Scavola (I think) would have the answers, she’ll be over in TechTalk.

The default PDF reader for Windows 10 is MS Edge and it seems to be pretty good for reading such documents.

Spiny Norman said:

The default PDF reader for Windows 10 is MS Edge and it seems to be pretty good for reading such documents.

Don’t like it :)

The Rev Dodgson said:

Spiny Norman said:

The default PDF reader for Windows 10 is MS Edge and it seems to be pretty good for reading such documents.

Don’t like it :)

What a finicky pdf enjoyer you are.

You gits should get a Mac. Preview reads everything. No need to install anything.

I use Foxit generally and open large PDFs of architectural and structural plans. As an aside, PDF SAM basic is also a very handy tool for combining / merging PDFs quickly, or removing individual pages. I use it for merging and creating a new PDF with just a single page if needed.