How to get Adobe Reader

1. Go to https://get.adobe.com/reader/. If you are an employee, you should already have this installed. If you need help, please contact IT Support at support@usa.edu.
2. Before clicking Download Acrobat Reader, please uncheck the box "Install McAfee Security Scan Plus." Otherwise, it will try to install McAfee's software with your Adobe Reader download.
   
3. Open the installer and follow the prompts to install it on your computer.
4. Opening Adobe Reader will prompt you to use it as your default application to open PDF files. Accept this option to open PDF files in Adobe Reader automatically.
   - If it does not prompt you, you may click the "Set as default" option to the app's right.
   
5. Please DO NOT accept the "Free Trial" for Adobe Acrobat Pro unless you need access to one of the editing features. You will be prevented from using Adobe Reader until you reinstall it again.
   

How to open PDF Files in Adobe Reader

1. Click the Menu button and click Open to select the PDF file you want to view.
   
2. If you already set Adobe Reader as your default PDF application, you can double-click on the PDF file to open it automatically in Adobe Reader.

What tools are available to use in Adobe Reader?

1. Open the PDF: Launch Adobe Acrobat Reader and open the PDF file you want to edit.
2. All Tools: Lists all of the available tools you can use with the PDF file. Please review the Limitations section below if you cannot use a tool. If a star icon is next to a tool, it is only available in Adobe Acrobat Pro.
3. Commenting Tools:
   - Go to the "Add comments" tool in the left-hand pane.
   - You can use various tools like:
   
   • Add a comment: Click the "Add a comment" icon to insert a text box.
   • Replace selected text: Strikes through a selected text and leaves a comment to replace the text.
   • Insert text: Adds a comment to insert text in a specific location on a PDF.
   • Add text comment: Directly add a visible comment on the PDF document for collaborators to see.
   • Attach file: Directly add a file to the PDF as a comment. You can choose an icon representing the type of attachment you want to add (paper clip, graph, pin, tag, etc.).
   - Go to the "Highlighter" tool in the left-hand pane to view the tools below:
   
   • Highlight: Use the highlighter to emphasize text.
   • Underline: Use underline to underline text.
   • Strikethrough: Use strikethrough to deemphasize text.
   • Draw: Use the draw tool to add lines, shapes, stamps, and text callouts.
   - Go to the "Type text" tool to view the tools below:
   
   • Type text: Click the "Type text" icon to add text or fill in form fields. You can also add crossmarks, checkmarks, dots, circles around, and cross-outs to a form.
   
   • Sign: Use the sign tool to add a signature or initials to a form.
   
4. Fill & Sign:
   - If your PDF has forms, you can fill them out by selecting the "Fill & Sign" option in the right pane.
   - You can also use the "Sign" feature to add your signature.
   
5. Collaborate:
   - If you would like to collaborate on a PDF document, you may use any of the options below:
   • Share Document: You can use Share Document to add a name or email to invite a collaborator to your PDF document.
   
   •Copy Link: Use Copy Link to generate a link you can send to a collaborator so they can view and comment on a PDF document.
   
   • Send by email: Use the Send by email icon to email your PDF document as a link or a copy. If you send it as a link, please be aware that collaborators can only view it but not comment on the file.
   
   • Troubleshooting: Sign-in to your Adobe account is required to use these features. If you do not have one, you may create one by clicking the Sign in button at the top-right of the Adobe Reader app.

Limitations:

• Adobe Reader does not allow for extensive editing of text or images within the PDF. If you need to make significant changes, purchase a subscription to Adobe Acrobat Pro or other PDF editing software.

Why use Adobe Reader?

Adobe Reader (now known as Adobe Acrobat Reader) is a popular choice for PDF viewing for a few key reasons, especially if you work frequently with PDF documents. Here are some of the main benefits:

1. Accurate PDF Viewing
   Adobe Acrobat Reader provides a highly accurate rendering of PDFs, ensuring that files look the same across different devices. Other readers might display text or images differently, especially with complex PDFs or those containing special fonts.

2. Comprehensive Annotation Tools
   Adobe Reader offers a robust suite of annotation tools, making it easy to highlight text, add comments, insert sticky notes, and draw freehand. This is especially useful for collaborative work or academic review.
3. Form-Filling Features
   You can fill out interactive PDF forms directly within Adobe Reader, including adding signatures, checkboxes, and dropdown menus. This is handy for filling out forms quickly without printing them out.
4. Digital Signatures and Authentication
   With Adobe Reader, you can add electronic signatures to documents, which is beneficial for personal and business needs. Additionally, the app can validate certified digital signatures, helping to confirm document authenticity.
5. Integration with Adobe Document Cloud
   Adobe Reader connects seamlessly with Adobe’s Document Cloud, letting you store, share, and access your PDFs across multiple devices. This integration allows you to open documents on your desktop and continue on your mobile with your annotations intact.
6. Free and Widely Supported
   Adobe Acrobat Reader is free and available on all major operating systems (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android). It's consistently updated and widely supported, so you can trust it to be compatible with most PDF files.
7. Security and Protection
   Adobe Reader is equipped with robust security features. Adobe regularly releases updates to protect against vulnerabilities, making it one of the more secure options for viewing PDFs. This is especially important when working with sensitive documents.