Free PDF Editor

If you're looking for a straightforward, no fuss way to create and edit PDFs on Windows, Free PDF Editor might just be the tool you need. This compact software weighing in at under 1MB runs directly from its executable file, making it super portable and easy to use on older or newer Windows systems, from XP all the way up to Windows 10.

One of the standout features of Free PDF Editor is its WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) approach. This means you can preview exactly how your document will look when printed, right as you’re putting it together. It simulates fonts, spacing, and layout based on your printer settings, so there are no surprises when you hit print. You can also drag and drop images, resize them, and position shapes freely on the page giving you plenty of creative control.

The interface is simple and divided into three parts: a menu bar, a toolbar with 24 tools, and a workspace. While some of the icons might look a little unfamiliar at first (like the parallel lines representing "Insert Text" instead of the typical justify icon), hovering your cursor over any tool reveals its name. This helps avoid confusion. The icons are small only 16x16 pixels which saves screen space for your actual document. When you open the program, you’re greeted with a blank canvas, much like in Microsoft Word, but here you build your layout from the ground up.

Customization is a strong suit for this lightweight editor. You can set document properties like title, author, and subject, and even adjust page dimensions, margins, and layout styles. By default, it uses A4 size, but you’re free to change that. There are also viewing modes like Full Screen, Thumbnails, and Outline view to help you work the way you prefer. Best of all, you can save your preferred settings as an XML file to reuse across projects saving time and keeping your documents consistent.

While it may not have all the bells and whistles of premium software, Free PDF Editor is a reliable and efficient tool for everyday PDF tasks. Whether you're drafting forms, creating reports, or putting together simple presentations, it offers a practical, lightweight alternative to heavier programs and it’s completely free.