The Portable Document Format, or PDF, has emerged as a key format in the digital age for sharing and maintaining document formatting across platforms and devices. Although a lot of people use PDF readers like Adobe Acrobat, many have also chosen to use the built-in PDF features in Microsoft Edge. What happens, though, if you need to convert a Microsoft Edge-opened PDF to a more widely used standard PDF format? The goal of this comprehensive guide is to examine the many ways to convert Edge PDFs to normal PDFs, providing a step-by-step procedure that accommodates a range of user requirements.
Understanding Edge PDF and Standard PDF
Understanding the distinction between an Edge PDF and a regular PDF is crucial before beginning any conversion techniques.
The term “Edge PDF” refers to PDFs created or viewed with Microsoft Edge, which has some rudimentary reading and annotation features. Users can read and annotate PDFs using Microsoft Edge without the need for further applications. For the most part, it saves PDFs in the same format as regular ones.
Standard PDF is a widely used format that complies with the International Organization for Standardization’s (ISO) PDF specification criteria. Standard PDFs are renowned for being compatible with a wide range of platforms and devices, which improves document integrity preservation.
It’s important to remember that when you save or create a PDF in Edge, the file format is exactly the same as what is considered a regular PDF. Confusion frequently results from annotations or markups created in Edge that might need to be cleaned up for wider usage.
Why Convert Edge PDFs?
You may wish to convert Edge PDFs into a different type of standard PDF for a number of reasons:
Eliminate Annotations: Converting a PDF might assist in getting rid of any unwanted annotations you may have made in Edge.
Reduce Size: Annotations and other photos can occasionally make PDFs huge. Optimizing the document’s size can be achieved through conversion.
Compatibility Problems: Despite Edge’s widespread use, certain users may have problems when sharing PDFs with annotations. These issues can be resolved by converting to a normal PDF format.
Combining Files: For a neater, more manageable document, you might want to combine Edge-edited files with other PDFs.
Quick Conversion Techniques
There are a few simple ways to convert Edge PDF files into regular PDFs for speedy conversions:
1. Print to PDF
Using Windows’ “Print to PDF” tool is among the most straightforward approaches.
Actions to take:
Open Edge: Open the PDF file you wish to convert in Microsoft Edge.
Choose Print by either pressing Ctrl + P or clicking the three-dot menu in the top right corner.
Modify Printer: Select Microsoft Print to PDF as the printer destination from the print settings menu.
Modify Settings: If required, you can modify parameters like page range and orientation.
Save the document: After selecting Print, you will be asked to select the location where you wish to save the newly created PDF and input the file name.
By using this technique, a new PDF file is essentially produced without any of the original Edge annotations.
2. Use Online Conversion Tools
A number of websites provide free PDF conversion services if you’d rather do it online.
Well-liked Internet Resources:
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Smallpdf: You can upload your PDF to this website and have it converted without any annotations.
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ILovePDF: Provides a simple interface for converting and uploading PDFs.
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PDF to Go: This website offers a number of PDF services, such as conversion and compression.
Smallpdf: You can upload your PDF to this website and have it converted without any annotations.
ILovePDF: Provides a simple interface for converting and uploading PDFs.
PDF to Go: This website offers a number of PDF services, such as conversion and compression.
Actions to take:
Go to the conversion webpage.
From Edge, upload your PDF file.
Choose the format or conversion parameters that you want.
After selecting Convert, the freshly generated standard PDF file can be downloaded.
3. Utilize Desktop Software
It is advised that users who need more sophisticated capabilities use specialized PDF conversion software.
Common Software Choices:
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A popular program for managing documents in their entirety, including conversion, editing, and optimization, is Adobe Acrobat.
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Nitro PDF Pro: Provides a wide range of PDF tools, such as generation, editing, and conversion.
A popular program for managing documents in their entirety, including conversion, editing, and optimization, is Adobe Acrobat.
Nitro PDF Pro: Provides a wide range of PDF tools, such as generation, editing, and conversion.
Adobe Acrobat steps:
On your computer, launch Adobe Acrobat.
To upload the Edge PDF file, choose File and then Open.
After the file has opened, click File, choose Save As, and then choose PDF as the format you want.
Select the file name and save location, then click “Save.”
4. Use PDF Printers
You can “print” any document into PDF format using some software that functions as a virtual printer for PDFs.
How to Use a PDF Printer:
Install a PDF printer, such PDFCreator or Bullzip.
Launch Microsoft Edge and open the PDF file.
Use Ctrl + P to open the print dialog.
Select your printer from the installed PDF printer.
After selecting your formatting options, click Print.
The new PDF file will be asked to be saved in the location of your choice.
Advanced Conversion Techniques
The following sophisticated methods should be taken into consideration for more complicated situations where a straightforward conversion is insufficient.
1. OCR (Optical Character Recognition)
You may not be able to edit or search organically in areas of your PDF file that have scanned pages or photos with text. This content can be transformed into editable text with the aid of optical character recognition.
How to Use OCR:
Use an internet program that supports OCR or software such as Adobe Acrobat.
Launch the OCR-compatible tool and open the Edge PDF.
To turn photos into editable text, choose OCR.
Save this as a new standard PDF after processing.
2. Batch Conversion
If you are dealing with multiple Edge PDFs, consider batch conversion software that can handle several documents simultaneously.
Resources You Can Utilize:
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Options for batch processing numerous PDFs are available in Adobe Acrobat Pro.
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Foxit PhantomPDF: Another robust solution that supports batch processing.
Options for batch processing numerous PDFs are available in Adobe Acrobat Pro.
Foxit PhantomPDF: Another robust solution that supports batch processing.
Steps for Batch Conversion via Adobe Acrobat:
Open Adobe Acrobat.
Go to File and choose Create from the options.
Select Combine Files into a Single PDF.
Upload all Edge PDF files you wish to convert.
Click Combining Files and save the newly created PDF file.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
1. Issues with Annotations
Sometimes converted files may still retain previous annotations if not handled properly. Ensure you re using the proper method like the Print to PDF option to avoid this.
2. Quality Loss
If you experience quality loss during conversion, check your settings in the conversion tool. Higher quality settings typically ensure better output, while lower settings can cause degradation.
3. Unsupported Features
Some advanced features in Edge PDFs may not translate seamlessly when converted. Always check final documents for formatting errors.
Final Thoughts
Converting Edge PDFs to standard PDFs is a straightforward process that can be executed through various methods, from printing to using software and online tools. Understanding your specific needs regarding the document whether for editing, sharing, or quality will greatly influence the method you choose. Stay mindful of issues like annotations, size, and compatibility during the conversion process. With this guide, you should be well-equipped to navigate PDF conversions seamlessly, whether for personal use or professional demands.
Remember, the key is not only in converting the files but also in maintaining the integrity and accessibility of your documents across various platforms for future use.