PDFCreator 6.3.1 for Windows

PDFCreator 6.3.1 is a free Windows program from pdfforge, a brand of Avanquest Software, that installs a virtual printer for creating PDF files. After you download PDFCreator, any program that can print, from a web browser to an old accounting app, can save its output as a PDF.

Quick facts

• Version: 6.3.1
• Developer: pdfforge (Avanquest Software)
• Platform: Windows
• Type: virtual PDF printer
• First released: 2004
• Licence: free edition; source code published under the GNU GPL
• Size: about 147.17 MB according to catalogue data (full installer)

What it does

Windows can already print to PDF, but its built-in printer offers almost no options. PDFCreator adds a full workflow around the same idea. When you print to the PDFCreator printer, a window opens where you set the file name, title, author and target folder. Profiles store different settings, for example high quality for printing, small size for email, or PDF/A for long-term archiving. You can merge several print jobs into one document, add a cover page or attachment, and choose other output formats such as PNG, JPEG or TIFF. Automatic saving lets you skip the dialog entirely, which is useful when you print many documents. Paid editions add features like digital signatures, encryption, workflow automation and deployment in companies. The project has a long history, and its source code is published on GitHub. Earlier versions attracted criticism for bundling adware toolbars in the installer, so it is worth watching the setup screens.

How to use it

1. Download the installer from the official download page.
2. Choose the free edition and uncheck any extra offers during setup.
3. Open any document and choose PDFCreator in the print dialog.
4. Set the file name and profile, then save.
5. Use Merge to combine several documents into one PDF.

Requirements

According to the user guide, PDFCreator needs Windows 7 SP1 or above (or Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 or above), 64-bit or ARM 64-bit, and .NET Framework 4.7.2; the COM interface requires the .NET 8 Desktop Runtime.

Tips

Create one profile for email with smaller file size and another for archiving in PDF/A, so you do not change settings each time. If you regularly scan or export invoices, turn on automatic saving with a naming pattern that includes the date, and keep the output folder on a drive that is backed up.

Safety and price

The free edition is enough for home and small office use. Download only from pdfforge.org and read the installer screens. What's new in each version is listed in the release notes.

Pros and cons

• Pro: creates PDFs from any program that prints.
• Pro: profiles, merging and PDF/A.
• Pro: free edition without time limit.
• Con: advanced security features are paid.
• Con: installer offers need attention.

Alternatives

To read and annotate PDFs, Adobe PDF Reader and PDF Reader are on our site. Wondershare PDFelement edits PDFs, and PDF Candy Desktop and ILovePDF convert between formats.