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Key Details of Cool PDF Reader

  • View, print, rotate, extract, and snip PDF files, and convert PDF to TXT, BMP, JPG, GIF, PNG, TIFF.
  • Last updated on
  • There have been 9 updates
  • Virus scan status:

    Clean (it’s extremely likely that this software program is clean)


Enlarged image for Cool PDF Reader
Cool PDF Reader 0/1

Editors’ Review

Download.com staff

Cool PDF Reader provides users with a fast and easy way of viewing PDF files. With simple controls and some added benefits, this program is a fine alternative to more popular software like Adobe Acrobat.

The program's interface shouldn't take too much work to understand, as its tightly packed command icons are equipped with tooltips that display descriptions when the mouse rolls over them. This is a helpful feature, especially given the inadequacies of the program's online Help file, which feels like an unsorted maze that is difficult to navigate. Despite this, the core user experience remains straightforward. Users can start by selecting a PDF file using a standard file tree search method, ensuring that finding documents is intuitive.

Once opened, the document appears clearly on the screen in a single-page view. We appreciated that zooming in and out, as well as navigating between pages, only required a single mouse click from the main toolbar, making the process quick and user-friendly. However, we found the inability to jump directly to a specific page from the main interface to be a minor drawback; this function requires users to access a menu, which disrupts the workflow slightly.

A standout feature of the reader is its Slide Show mode, which automatically flips through the pages, adding a unique touch for presentations or relaxed document viewing. Additionally, the program functions reliably and efficiently for basic PDF reading tasks, solidifying its status as a practical alternative to larger, more resource-intensive readers.

File conversion capabilities are where Cool PDF Reader truly shines. The option to convert PDFs to formats such as TXT, BMP, JPG, GIF, PNG, and WMF is a significant advantage for users who need versatile outputs. This feature works seamlessly—users simply select "Save As" and choose their desired format, making the process straightforward for even non-technical users. The variety of formats adds flexibility for tasks such as creating images from PDFs for presentations or extracting text for further editing.

While Cool PDF Reader excels in speed and simplicity, it does come with limitations. The lack of more advanced annotation tools or editing options means it caters primarily to users seeking straightforward viewing and basic conversion rather than those needing robust PDF manipulation. Still, for users whose primary concern is quick PDF access and conversion without the heavy memory usage associated with larger programs, this software is a perfect fit.

Bottom Line

By offering a fast, lightweight way to view and convert PDFs, Cool PDF Reader is sure to find an appreciative audience among those who want an alternative to Adobe Acrobat without sacrificing essential functionality. While its support documentation and limited advanced features may not meet all needs, its ease of use and practical extras, such as the Slide Show mode and multiple conversion formats, make it a valuable tool in many users' software libraries.

What’s new in version 3.2.1

Version 3.2.1 adds support for continuous view and smooth mouse scrolling. Support Windows 10 64-bit.


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Full Specifications

GENERAL
Release
Latest update
Version
3.2.1
OPERATING SYSTEMS
Platform
Windows
Operating System
  • Windows 8
  • Windows Server
  • Windows 7
  • Windows 2003
  • Windows 10
  • Windows XP
  • Windows 2000
  • Windows NT
  • Windows 98
  • Windows ME
  • Windows Vista
Additional Requirements
None
POPULARITY
Total Downloads
176,618
Downloads Last Week
8

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Last Updated


User Reviews

3/5

55 User Votes


Developer’s Description

View, print, rotate, extract, and snip PDF files, and convert PDF to TXT, BMP, JPG, GIF, PNG, TIFF.

After struggling with other PDF readers that hog your resources and frustrate you with incompatibility issues, Cool PDF Reader is an absolute joy. It is the smallest PDF reader in the world, fast loading and easy to read. Cool PDF Reader allows you to open, read, view, review, print, and edit PDF files, and convert PDF to TXT, BMP, JPG, GIF, PNG, TIF, WMF, EMF, EPS, TIFF, as an alternative to Adobe Reader. The free PDF Reader supports zoom in and zoom out, page rotation, and PDF slide show, smart bookmark, mouse wheel scrolling, and it can be added to Windows as a native PDF reader. As compared to Adobe PDF Reader, Cool PDF Reader loads itself lightning fast, and opens almost all PDF files within a second. It's an ideal PDF reader for Microsoft Windows, and you can set it as your default PDF Reader.

A special feature of this PDF reader is copying any text and graphics out of PDF files with only a few mouse clicks. The other special features include full-screen slideshow, low blue light reading mode, night reading mode, airplane reading mode, and Citrix mode. You can browse your PDF document in the way just like you play with your Microsoft PowerPoint slides deck. The different reading modes help relieve eye strain when you read PDF documents in the day, at night, and on a flight. Citrix mode is a restriction mode that allows the PDF reader can be safely used in any Citrix terminal server environment.

Cool PDF Reader is backward compatible with the following operating systems, Microsoft Windows Vista Microsoft Windows XP Microsoft Windows 2000 You can also install Cool PDF Reader on any server operating systems for terminal users, Microsoft Windows Server 2016, 2012, 2008, 2003 and Microsoft Home Server. Freeware, no strings attached.


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