One of the first programs that we usually install in Windows 10 is a PDF viewer. These programs allow us to open all kinds of PDF documents on our computer to be able to read or fill them. Modern web browsers are capable of opening these types of documents without the need to install additional software. And Microsoft, through Edge, has been trying to make its browser the default PDF viewer for Windows 10 for some time, but without success. However, with the arrival of the new Edge Chromium, Microsoft will try again.
The new Edge Chromium uses Google’s open source browser engine as its foundation. And, about it, Microsoft has included a series of changes and improvements to shape this new version of Edge. Of course, this new browser has the possibility to read PDF from it without having to download them. It even allows us to open these documents directly from our hard drive. However, its functions, as it happens in Chrome, are very limited.
Currently, the browser with the most functions to open PDFs in Windows is Firefox. However, this is going to change very soon, since Microsoft has just released a list with all the new features that will arrive in the PDF viewer of its new web browser.
Everything we can do with PDFs in Edge
Microsoft is already working on adding interesting functions and features to improve the user experience when opening PDF from this browser. And one of the first features that this browser is going to receive is smooth scrolling . This is one of the features of the old version of Edge that we will soon be able to enjoy in this new version.
Another feature that will come to the Edge Chromium PDF viewer is the table of contents . This will allow us to see the document index and quickly scroll through it. There will also be added functions to improve the reading of content, such as the highlighted mode , to mark parts of the text without having to click on any tool, or the text notes , which will allow us to add our own notes and that, in addition, will be saved in the PDF itself.
The new Edge will also be compatible with protected PDFs . Thanks to Microsoft Information Protection we will be able to control the permissions of the users on the documents that we send. We will be able to see protected files created on our computer, and even open protected files created on other PCs. Digital signatures will also start to work in the browser, and they will be able to be seen and validated.
Lastly, Microsoft is going to improve the accessibility options of the Edge PDF viewer, allowing users to fill out forms using screen readers and navigate through PDF documents with collation mode.
And edit PDF?
Obviously Edge is not going to be a PDF editor. At least for now. For this, there are specific programs that allow us to make all kinds of modifications to this type of document.
When Edge becomes the quintessential PDF viewer for Windows 10, Microsoft may begin to implement some editing functions, albeit basic ones. Meanwhile, we can use Chrome extensions to edit PDF (which we can install in Edge without problems) that allow us to make modifications to this type of document.
We do not know if the new Edge will be able to stand up to Google Chrome and steal users from this giant with more than 70% market share. What is certain is that it is going to become one of the best PDF viewers for Windows, a viewer that will come installed by default so that we can forget about installing other software.
