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Foxit Readerfor Windows

12.1.3.15356

10

Foxit Reader: efficient PDF Reader for Windows

Foxit Reader is essentially a PDF reader that provides a clean interface for you to navigate through a PDF file. All navigation tools of the program are easily accessed through the ribbon interface, which is like Microsoft Office programs’ UI. The program from Foxit offers additional functions apart from just opening PDF files. This includes numerous security options and tools that prevents certain parts of a malicious PDF file from harming your computer. In addition, the Foxit Reader has a plugin library that provides many useful features that are not part of the basic program. It is important to note that Foxit Reader is free to download and use. Other features of the program are behind a paywall such as the ability to edit PDF files. In addition, the Foxit Reader has a limit as to what PDF files it can fully open since it cannot read specific scripts or formats.

Reliable and fast PDF reader

The main draw of Foxit Reader is its ability to open PDF files quicker than other readers. This is due to the lack of unnecessary plugins within the reader. These plugins add more time for a PDF file’s loading time since it is going through various processes.

Another basic and useful function of the reader is its text highlight tool. As the name suggests, this lets you select text or images within the PDF. You can copy the selected items from the file or highlight it. The reader also provides an option to include bookmarks or comments on the selected items.

Regarding the tools, you can easily find it thanks to the program’s ribbon interface. This interface displays Foxit Reader’s options and functions in a way that are within reach at any time while using the program. All ribbons are also customizable, which lets you remove or add any tools.

Other features of Foxit Reader include a signature tool. While the feature lets you paste an image of your signature to the PDF, the program uses a certification program to verify that the signature is authentic. The software also has a DocuSign tool for eSignatures and security purposes.

While the reader can load PDFs faster than other programs, it has certain shortcomings. This includes the lack of certain multimedia plugins that open CAD files. Fortunately, the reader can attach most types of video or music files in your PDF.

Security features

Certain PDFs may contain viruses or dangerous script that can harm your computer when opening it through any reader. One method of stopping any malicious files from activating is to use the JavaScript Disable option of Foxit Reader. This stops unknown scripts from sending data out to the net.

You can also use the programs’ Protected View option that activates when you open PDFs that comes from unsafe sources. In addition, Foxit Reader has a Safe Reading Mode that disables most types of scripts from playing within the PDF when you open it.

The reader also has ASLR and DEP support, which utilizes a random algorithm for picking memory addresses. The feature removes most vulnerabilities within the file that opens the door to your computer.

Document protection

Foxit Reader has sensitive or important document PDFs in mind with several useful features. This includes an encryption function that makes the data on your PDF unreadable except for the intended party.

PhantomPDF add-ons

The optical character recognition (OCR) is a handy feature that allows programs to recognize texts within an image. This is handy when you scan a document and turn it into a PDF. Text from this type of PDF is usually unrecognizable since all letters are part of the images. With OCR, a PDF reader can select the text as if it came from a word processor program.

The OCR function of Foxit Reader is available through the PhantomPDF add-on and not through the free version. Apart from OCR support, the add-on lets you edit PDFs and convert PDF files to Microsoft Office file formats such as Docx.

Where can you run this program?

Foxit Reader is available through numerous OS such as Windows 7, 8, and 10. You can also find a macOS version of the reader, which is compatible with many Mac computers. Linux users can also use the 32 or 64-bit version of the program.

Apart from computers, Foxit PDF reader is also available in most mobile devices. The Android version of the reader is compatible with tablets or phones that are running the 4.1 version of the OS or better. Apple users can open the programs through devices that have iOS 8.0 or better. Foxit Reader is also available on the Windows Store as a mobile version of its desktop counterpart.

Is there a better alternative?

Window computers have a large selection of PDF viewers available. One of the notable software is Sumatra PDF reader. Like Foxit Reader, Sumatra only provides the basic essentials when it comes to opening PDF files. This means incredibly fast loading of your files on any kind of computer. Lite is an important aspect of Sumatra that it has a portable edition. This is an executable program that you can open anywhere without having to install it. You can run Sumatra Lite from a USB stick when you need a PDF reader on the go. Sumatra provides mostly the bare minimum when it comes to opening PDF files. While this translates to fast PDF load-times, it also means that the reader lacks other advanced options. This includes the ability to convert PDF to other file formats or attach multimedia content to a file.

Our take

Foxit Reader provides the essentials when it comes to opening PDF files, which lets you open them faster than other readers. The software also has a slew of security features that prevents harmful PDFs from triggering. You can also prevent unauthorized viewing of your PDFs with digital signatures and other functions. The only flaw of the reader is the lack of useful features such as OCR support, which is addressed by a paid add-on.

Should you download it?

Yes, The free version of Foxit Readers gives you everything you need to open PDF files and read through its content. It also goes beyond acting just a ready by letting you add other content of your own such as comments or multimedia files. Many features of the reader protect your computer from viruses or malware coming from suspicious PDFs. While other features are behind a paid add-on service, these are mostly optional. On the other hand, the add-on features are useful in a business, academic or office setting. The PhantomPDF is even available through a one-time or subscription payment.

Highs

  • Fast PDF loader
  • Security tools
  • Ribbon tool interface
  • Microsoft Office integration
  • Multimedia insertion

Lows

  • Paid PDF to Word conversion
  • Lacks free OCR support
  • Not compatible with all PDF formats

Also available in other platforms

Program available in other languages

Foxit Readerfor Windows

12.1.3.15356

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