Open PDFs in Adobe Reader DC – Instructions

Open PDFs in Adobe Reader DC: Video Lesson

            This video lesson, titled “Opening and Navigating PDFs in Reader,” shows how to open PDFs in Adobe Reader DC. This video lesson on how to open PDFs in Adobe Reader is from our complete Acrobat tutorial, titled “Mastering Acrobat Made Easy v.Pro DC.”

Open PDFs in Adobe Reader DC: Overview

            You can easily open PDFs in Adobe Reader DC. Adobe Reader is a free software application. It is generally accepted as the global standard for viewing PDF documents. Unlike other applications that read PDFs, Reader is the only PDF viewer that can open and interact with all PDF documents. However, you cannot create PDFs with Adobe Reader. It does let you view, search, print, digitally sign, and collaborate on PDF files without needing to install Adobe Acrobat. Adobe Reader can also display rich media content, like video and audio files. You can even view PDF Portfolios in Reader.

            It is easy to find and install Adobe Reader on a computer. You can download the most current version of the Adobe Reader software directly from Adobe at the following hyperlink: https://get.adobe.com/reader/. After installing it, a user can open any PDF in Reader. By default, Adobe Reader for Windows opens all PDF documents in Protected Mode. This isolates PDF files and processes to the application. Protected Mode ensures that PDFs with potentially malicious content cannot access system files or a computer’s hard drive. Adobe recommends you always use Reader for Windows in Protected Mode. However, it is possible to disable Protected Mode in Reader’s preferences.

Open PDFs in Adobe Reader DC – Instructions: A picture of the Adobe Reader DC interface.

            If you create PDFs in Acrobat, remember that people must have a PDF viewer to open them, unless they have Acrobat installed. It’s helpful to include a message when sending PDF documents that mentions this. For example, saying “This file is best viewed using Adobe Reader” can help recipients know how to open the PDF. You may also want to include a link to the Adobe website, so users can easily download the free software.

            Adobe Reader’s interface is similar to Acrobat’s, but with fewer features. To open PDFs in Adobe Reader DC, first open Adobe Reader DC. Then select “File| Open…” from the Menu Bar to launch an “Open” dialog box. An alternative way to open PDFs in Adobe Reader DC is by using one of the “Open” commands at the left side of the Welcome screen. Depending on which version of Reader you have, the right side of the Welcome screen provides links to additional Adobe services. Be aware that online services are subscription services that charge a fee for use. Additionally, some of the tools found in recent versions of Reader are not part of the free download, but links to online subscription services.

Open PDFs in Adobe Reader DC: Instructions

1. To download the most current version of the Adobe Reader software directly from Adobe, visit the following hyperlink: https://get.adobe.com/reader/.
2. To isolate PDF files and processes to the Reader application, use Adobe Reader in Protected Mode. By default, Adobe Reader for Windows opens all PDF documents in Protected Mode.
3. To disable Protected Mode, adjust Reader’s preferences.
4. To open PDFs in Adobe Reader DC, select “File| Open…” from the Menu Bar to launch an “Open” dialog box.
5. Alternatively, to open PDFs in Adobe Reader DC, you can use one of the “Open” commands at the left side of the Welcome screen.