How to Write or Mark Up PDF Documents on a Surface Book
Question details
The user wants to restore the ability to write and mark up PDF files directly on a Surface Book, as a recent system or app update changed the default behavior and disabled automatic PDF inking.
- Product
- Windows, Microsoft Edge, Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- Windows (Surface Book)
- Scenario
- Trying to annotate, handwrite, or draw on a PDF document using a stylus on a Surface Book.
- Observed behavior
- Writing on PDFs is no longer enabled by default after an update. The file might be opening in a different application, or the draw tools are now hidden.
Ensure your Surface Pen is paired, charged, and registering touch input correctly on the Windows desktop before troubleshooting PDF-specific software settings.
Restore Your Preferred Default PDF App
An update may have changed your default PDF viewer to one that does not support your previous inking layout. Restoring your default app helps retrieve your pen tools.
Windows updates often reset default file associations, redirecting PDFs to a different viewer that handles stylus input differently or requires manual tool activation.
Navigate to any saved PDF file using File Explorer on your Surface Book.
Right-click the PDF file, hover over 'Open with', and click on 'Choose another app'.
Choose the app you previously used for marking up (such as Microsoft Edge or Adobe Acrobat) from the list.
Check the box that says 'Always use this app to open .pdf files' and click 'OK'.
Enable Drawing Tools in Microsoft Edge
Use Microsoft Edge's built-in PDF markup tools if you prefer not to download third-party software.
Activate the Comment or Draw Tools in Acrobat
If Acrobat Reader is your default app, you must manually enable the comment tools to ink on the document.
Mark Up PDFs Effortlessly with WPS Office
WPS Office offers a powerful built-in PDF editor that fully supports stylus input on Windows devices like the Surface Book. You can easily draw, highlight, and write on your PDFs natively without complicated setups.
- 1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office for free and install it on your Surface Book.
- 2. Open Your PDF: Launch WPS Office and drag and drop your PDF into the application.
- 3. Navigate to the Comment Tab: Click on the 'Comment' tab located in the top ribbon menu.
- 4. Select the Graffiti Tool: Click on 'Graffiti' or 'Draw' and use your Surface Pen to mark up the document instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my Surface Book stop letting me write on PDFs?
A system or app update may have changed your default PDF viewer to an application that does not support automatic inking, or it may have reset the pen settings within your current PDF app, requiring you to manually re-enable the draw tools.
Can I still use Microsoft Edge to draw on PDFs?
Yes. Microsoft Edge features a built-in 'Draw' tool for PDFs. Simply open your PDF in Edge and click the 'Draw' pen icon in the top toolbar to begin using your stylus.
How do I fix my Surface Pen if it isn't writing on anything?
First, check the battery of your Surface Pen. Go to Windows Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices to ensure it is paired correctly. If it still fails, try unpairing and pairing the pen again.
Does WPS Office PDF support the Surface Pen?
Yes, WPS Office fully supports stylus input on Windows. You can use your Surface Pen to ink, highlight, and add handwritten annotations directly within the WPS PDF viewer using its Comment tools.
