If you're anything like me, you've probably needed a quick, reliable way to open and manage PDF files. PDFs are everywhere, assignments, eBooks, invoices, manuals. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about using Adobe Reader for Windows 10. I’ll also introduce you to a lightweight, feature-rich alternative that I personally love: WPS Office. The goal here is simple, to help you handle your PDF workflow without hassle.
What Is Adobe Reader?
Adobe Acrobat Reader is the most recognized PDF viewer around. It's free, trustworthy, and compatible with all PDF file types on Windows 10. It comes with just enough features for basic use but offers more through paid add-ons. If you’ve ever filled a form, highlighted text, or signed a digital document, you’ve probably used Adobe Reader. Its intuitive interface makes it easy for users of all skill levels to navigate and interact with documents. From students reviewing notes to professionals managing contracts, it’s a go-to tool worldwide. Plus, its seamless integration with cloud storage means you can access your files anytime, anywhere.
Key Features of Adobe Acrobat Reader for Windows 10
View and interact with PDFs: You can open just about any PDF, including ones with forms or multimedia like videos or interactive content.
Annotate and comment: You can use sticky notes, highlight text, underline important points, or draw freely. Perfect for reviewing documents.
Fill and sign forms: Forget printing! Type directly into forms, add your electronic signature, and send it off.
Collaborate: You can share your PDF with others and get feedback, all within the same document.
Sync documents via Adobe Cloud: If you're using multiple devices, your PDFs follow you wherever you go. Handy for on-the-move productivity.
Free to use (with optional upgrades): Basic features are free. But if you want things like PDF editing or file conversions, you’ll need to subscribe.
System Requirements and Installation of Adobe Reader
Adobe Reader works smoothly on Windows 10 and anything newer than Windows 7. I’ll help you get it set up without the usual confusion. It’s a simple two-step install, and you’ll just need admin access on your PC.
Here’s how you install Adobe Reader on Windows 10:
Step 1: First go to the official website of Microsoft Store and search “Adobe Acrobat” in the search bar of the website and hit the small Download button to start downloading.
Step 2: Then head over to the top right of your chrome screen and go to “Downloads” to run the installer by clicking the “.exe” file and follow the on-screen steps.
Step 3: Your application will be successfully launched. After installation, open Adobe Reader and let it update itself if needed and then click “Accept” on the bottom right to start using the application.
Setting Adobe Acrobat Reader as Your Default PDF Viewer
Now that you’ve installed it, let’s make sure Adobe Reader is the default app for all your PDFs. This way, every PDF you double-click will open in Adobe Reader without extra steps.
How to set Adobe Reader as default:
Step 1: First right click on the PDF file to open the context menu and from the drop down options click on "Open with" and select, "Choose Another App."
Step 2: Then from the list of options, select Adobe Reader and then click on the "Always use this app to open .pdf files."
Step 3: If it is still not sticking, right-click the file and select “Properties”. As Adobe appears with “Open with”, select “Change”. Click Apply, then OK.
That’s it. All PDFs should now open with Adobe by default.
WPS Office – A Lighter, Smarter PDF Experience on Windows 10
Let’s be real, Adobe Reader, while powerful, can feel bloated and sluggish. If all you want is a fast, responsive PDF reader with bonus features, WPS Office might be your best friend. I’ve personally been using WPS for months now, and it’s been a game changer.
Why I Switched to WPS Office for PDFs
I started looking for something lighter after Adobe started lagging on my laptop. WPS Office came up as a free suite that handles PDFs with surprising ease. It has most of the features I used in Adobe, plus a few that blew my mind.
Key Features of WPS Office PDF Reader:
View, highlight, and annotate PDFs: The reading experience is smooth and snappy. You can underline text, add notes, and highlight just like Adobe.
Merge, split, and compress: It’s got all the essentials you need to manage large files. Great for students or professionals dealing with multiple pages.
Convert PDFs to Word, Excel, or PPT: The built-in converter is shockingly accurate. You can go back and forth between formats with no data loss.
WPS AI Assistant: One of the coolest features, ask questions about your PDF or get a quick summary. It’s like ChatGPT, but for documents.
Secure your PDFs: You can encrypt your files, lock editing access, and add digital signatures without needing a paid version.
Compact installer: The entire suite, not just the PDF reader, is small in size and installs faster than Adobe.
From my experience using the WPS Office PDF Reader, I was honestly surprised by how lightweight yet powerful it is. Navigating through PDFs feels super smooth, and features like highlighting, merging, and converting are just a tap away, no lag, no clutter. What stood out most for me was the AI Assistant. I tried dropping in a dense research paper, and within seconds, it gave me a clean summary I could actually use. For a free tool, it punches way above its weight.
FAQs
Q1. Is Adobe Reader free for Windows 10?
Yes. Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is completely free to download and use for viewing, commenting, and printing PDFs.
Q2. Is WPS Office a good alternative to Adobe Reader?
Absolutely. It offers a cleaner, faster experience with powerful tools and AI capabilities, all without a subscription.
Q3. Can I open Adobe PDFs in WPS Office?
Of course. WPS supports all standard PDF files and lets you read, annotate, and even edit them without a hiccup.
Summary
Adobe Acrobat Reader is a solid choice if you want a trusted, feature-rich tool for working with PDFs. It’s especially useful if you rely on Adobe Cloud or need compatibility with advanced file types. But if speed, simplicity, and AI tools are your thing, WPS Office might just be a smarter pick. Personally, I now use WPS for all my PDF work, it’s efficient, modern, and doesn’t weigh down my system. In the end, it’s all about what works best for your workflow. Adobe Reader is great if you need the legacy tools. But for a fresh, lightweight experience with all the essentials and then some, WPS Office gets my full recommendation.
