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PDF-XChange Viewer presents users with an alternative to Adobe's Acrobat Reader. With some interesting additions, it's not hard to see this reader gaining some fans over its more popular competition.
The program's interface looks and feels remarkably like Acrobat Reader, but with more command icons along the top. Users who are familiar with viewing PDFs will find this fairly intuitive, but newcomers are advised to experiment with the options and pay attention to the Help file. Viewing PDFs is incredibly simple and should not be a problem for users. The documents look good through the reader and are easily navigated. While the program is good for simply looking at PDFs, it excels with its added features. The control panel along the top displays a long list of options for editing your PDFs. The most useful we found was the option for making bright red shapes and lines, which can be utilized to mark errors and make comments (an element that has always been one of Acrobat's best tools). Here, XChange Viewer gives users more options than its competition, allowing for more in-depth markups.
This free program imitates its competition in all the right places and gives users some extra features where it counts, combining into an excellent download option for anyone looking for an alternative to Acrobat Reader.
Publisher's Description
From Tracker Software Products:
PDF-XChange Viewer allows users to View Adobe compatible PDF files and performs additional functionality. It features viewing, printing, exporting PDF's to numerous image based file types, page commenting and annotations, type directly on a PDF page, simple find, and advanced search.
What's new in this version: Version 2.5.210 has fixed issue with possible crash on some XFA files.
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All versions:
4.5 starsout of 292 votes
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Current version:
3.2 starsout of 5 votes
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My rating:
Write review
Results 1-5 of 5
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"Not much to say if it won't install"
Version: PDF-XChange Viewer 2.5.210
Pros
None - it wouldn't install but did leave several annoying browser add-ons
Cons
I couldn't install it. After downloading it and accepting various agreements and unchecking the boxes that let them add toolbars and change my homepage, I clicked on the install button but it died immediately, telling me that it couldn't install on my computer because it wasn't 32-bit (I have Win 7 Home Premium 64-bit on this one). I tried launching the installer from the Downloads folder directly but the result was the same.
What really annoyed me was that the installer said that nothing was installed, but when I reopened my browser (the installer shut IE and Chrome, both of which were open) it had visibly changed the browser and when I clicked on New Tab it gave me a list of "suggested sites". Looking at Add-ons I found that it had installed and enable 4 add-ons, at least one of which is blatantly ad-ware from prior experience.Summary
This got one star because I couldn't figure out how to give it a minus 10.
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"Capable lightweight PDF Viewer"
Version: PDF-XChange Viewer 2.5.210
Pros
Uses fewer resources than most other PDF viewers. Does not skimp on features and includes text typing and mark up capability.
Cons
Not as feature rich as the free Nitro PDF reader, but its not as big either.
Summary
On older systems with memory constraints this is the best PDF reader you can get. Combined with the bullzip PDF printer, my older systems have superior PDF capabilities with low overhead.
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"The best FREE pdf editor"
Version: PDF-XChange Viewer 2.5.210
Pros
Everything you can get with Adobe Reader + Bookmarks + Thumbnails + ...
Cons
None, none, none.
Scrapware installation is included in CNET downloader, not by this software. Always be carefull before clicking "next", uncheck eveything you do not like first.Summary
Recommended without hesitation
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"Exceptional"
Version: PDF-XChange Viewer 2.5.210
Pros
Hmm. Can't really find a fault. It does the #1 thing that I need which is to be able to fill out PDF forms, even when the author didn't create them properly and then SAVE the result.
I don't think you can go wrong.Cons
The annotation mode that I'm in isn't always clear. Ctrl-Z doesn't work to undo the annotation I added.
Summary
NOTE: I'm using 2.5 and the ads are fine. Not sure if the latest 2.5.210 has increased them
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"POS....Filled with Crapware"
Version: PDF-XChange Viewer 2.5.210
Pros
None....filled with crapware
Cons
Crapware....
Results 1-5 of 5
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