Adobe Acrobat to power Microsoft Edge’s free PDF reader
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The collaboration between Adobe and Microsoft continues with the upcoming integration of Adobe Acrobat technologies inside Microsoft Edge.
Users can already use the browser as a free pdf readeralbeit with limited functionality. However, the tool is getting a performance upgrade as it will soon be powered by Acrobat’s PDF rendering engine.
In a standout show of commitment to web-based collaboration, the partnership claims to bring significant improvements to the Windows PDF reader – at no additional cost for existing capabilities.
Acrobat on Edge: what to expect
In a joint press release (opens in new tab), Microsoft and Adobe said the combination of Edge and Acrobat will enable “richer rendering” for graphics and color accuracy. Enhanced security and accessibility tools such as text selection and read aloud are also expected.
More advanced PDF editor tools remain locked behind one Adobe Document Cloud subscription. However, the Adobe-Microsoft initiative means that subscribers can still use the browser to handle all document tasks through the Acrobat extension.
Ashley Still, senior vice president at Adobe, issued the following statement:
“PDF is essential for modern businesses, accelerating productivity in a world where automation and collaboration are more important than ever. By bringing the global standard in PDF experience to Microsoft Edge and the more than one billion Windows users worldwide, Adobe and Microsoft are leveraging our shared heritage and productivity expertise to take a major step forward in the modern , safe and connected working and living become a reality.”
“Adobe’s PDF technology in Microsoft Edge means users can quickly and securely access critical digital document capabilities,” added Jared Spataro, corporate vice president for Modern Work & Business Applications at Microsoft.
The rollout will be staggered, starting with an opt-in option for managed devices. But what about Microsoft’s existing PDF reader? That will be scrapped and support will end in March 2024.
- Best Free PDF Editors (opens in new tab): View, create and edit PDFs on Windows, Mac, mobile and online