Free Fast PDF Reader

For Windows 9.xx to Windows XP/Vista Tip #0007

There is a file format for storing and sending files that many individuals and businesses use. It is called a PDF file. What on earth does it do? Short for Portable Document Format, a file format developed by Adobe Systems. PDF captures formatting information from a variety of desktop publishing applications, making it possible to send formatted documents and have them appear on the recipient's monitor or printer as they were intended. To view a file in PDF format, you need Adobe Reader, a free application distributed by Adobe Systems. Nowadays we find we need to ‘read’ PDF files when we buy a new computer, electronic device printer etc. In many cases, it has supplanted the User Guide that used to accompany our new purchases. If you have by some miracle avoided encountering a PDF file to date, I guarantee you will eventually.
Notice that wonderful word ‘free’ Adobe Reader. In this case, for me free is not enough. Adobe created this format and for a long time, it was the only game in town. Like so many other software programmes, each new version had more and more features and settings and as in so many other cases a good and simple programme became bloated and slower and more complicated. This is especially true with Adobe Reader. Now on its 8th version, the Adobe reader has become over time, slower and slower to open PDF files. This has baffled me for some time now. If a piece of software is created to do one thing and one thing only – I believe it should do it well. Certainly over time it should be faster.
This is not the case with Adobe Reader 8.0 or for that mater 7.0 or even 6.0. So, I have long been on the lookout for a programme that would be compatible with Adobe Reader but be able to do the task faster.
Well good news Bulldog Readers. I have found a programme that is both fast and free. It has no bells, no whistles. It is designed to do one thing and one thing only. Open PDF files quickly. It is called Sumatra PDF. It is a simple interface, and easy to download, install and use. It is now my default PDF reader. It is also free.
So, if you would like to speed up your ability to read PDF files I recommend you download this product.
Here is the address for downloading the programme:
http://blog.kowalczyk.info/software/sumatrapdf/download.html.
As with other programmes, I recommend you create a download file for all your downloads. Think of it as good digital house-keeping and I promise you over time you will be glad you made this small effort a part of your good computing habits.
So, now you have downloaded the programme to your special file (perhaps PDF or Sumatra), the choice is of course up to you.
When the download is complete, you can install the programme in the usual manner. On the Sumatra download page click on the top offering. It will say “Installer”. (SumatraPDF-0.7-install.exe). I do not recommend you download the second choice, a zip file. Utilising the installer version will speed your download process and lessen the chance of an error in installing the programme on your machine.
So, after you have clicked on the installer, a pop up will appear. It will give you the usual “Run” – “Save” – “Cancel” options. Chose “Save”. The programme will then ask you which folder you wish to save to. This is where your special download file will come into play. Chose the file you have set up for downloads, create a new file say PDF and then hit the ‘save’ button. Your programme will now download, and depending on your connection, dial-up, DSL or Cable you will soon have another pop up which will ask you either to ‘run’ or ‘install’. Click on the button and your Sumatra PDF will install itself.
After it is installed you will be given the choice to let Sumatra PDF be the ‘default’ programme for all PDF files. I recommend you allow it to become your default. If you are unhappy with a faster way to view your PDF files you can always change it back at a later time.
Now, if you do have a PDF file already on your machine, give Sumatra PDF a trial run. Click on any file that has the suffix .pdf (ex: abcd.pdf) on your machine. It will open almost immediately. No more waiting while Adobe slowly loads the file and hogs all your computers resources.
I think you will like the speed and simplicity of this great free utility. It is fast functional and does the job I need a PDF reader for. To open PDF files quickly.
I hope you have the same positive experience with this simple well coded programme that I have had to date. And the risk is minimal since the cost is zero, if you are not pleased you can always return to the Adobe Reader. Somehow I don’t think you will.
As always Bulldog readers let me know how you fare and what you think of this programme or if you have any further questions.
My eMail Address is: GuyGriscom@gmail.com