Foxit Reader - PDF reader with many additional features

What is Foxit Reader?

Foxit Reader is a program developed by Foxit. Foxit Reader is primarily a PDF reader, and also allows you to create PDF files, sign them, edit them, and add annotations. It works across operating systems, has plugins for various programs from the Microsoft Office package, which makes it extremely flexible and useful for anyone who regularly deals with this file format.

Foxit Reader - PDF reader with many additional features Picture 1

Foxit Reader has long been considered the best PDF software solution on the market for personal and business use. Also known as ConnectedPDF, the modern version of Foxit PDF reader is a comprehensive application that provides easy document access, integration, file request processing, document review and annotation, signing names and the ability to encrypt sensitive PDF documents.

As the leading PDF solution on the market, Foxit Reader has received positive reviews for many years, and each software update released by the development team is welcomed by users. The advantages of Foxit Reader include:

1. Quick rendering of PDF files.
2. The intuitive menu ribbon can be fully customized.
3. Ability to fill out interactive forms and applications.
4. Dynamic printing.
5. Integrated to create barcodes.
6. Powerful accessibility features complete with screen reader and connection to braille devices for the visually impaired.
7. Touch screen support for tablets and hybrid devices.

Foxit Reader is the base application in a series of products including Foxit PDF Creator and Foxit Editor. The app is free to download as a single-user license for Windows devices, and it includes some ConnectedPDF cloud features. Volume licenses with additional functionality are available for business use and are also very affordable. Mac users can download Foxit Phantom PDF on a free trial basis. Limited versions of MobilePDF are available for iOS and Android devices.

New features and improvements in Foxit PDF Reader 12

Foxit PDF Reader 12 is still available for free, but comes with a 160 Megabyte installation package that users need to download. The application itself requires more than 500MB of free disk space. The installer includes everything needed to run the Foxit PDF Editor trial.

Foxit PDF Reader opens quickly, quite well. Version 12.0 of this PDF reader brings a number of changes, including some security and stability issues according to the release notes.

As for the changes in the new version, there are some changes that users may like. One of the changes introduces support for viewing two PDF documents side by side in the same Foxit window, which improves comparison and evaluation. Another feature introduces support for reverting PDF files to previously saved versions.

Comments and reviews support several new features. Comments can be exported as FDF or XFDF files and have the option to import XDFD comments. Other comment options include filtering and sorting comments by color as well as the ability to edit and reply to comments from the Comments panel.

Options include a search field to quickly find options without having to click through various subsections.

Foxit notes that the user interface in the new version has been improved for better usability with new fonts, distinct colors for icons and backgrounds, etc. and software accessibility. Better for users using keyboard controls and screen readers. Verifying the program's EUTL certificate provides EUTL certificate eligibility information in the new version.

Foxit PDF Editor 12 includes major changes, some of which are carried over to the free version. Highlights include:

1. Integrate a calculator to perform calculations and add electronic calculator tapes to PDF files as annotations.
2. Improved page management, including inserting web pages into PDF or customizing PDF page size.
3. Use the logged in username in the watermark.
4. Option to edit images outside of Foxit PDF Editor using other applications.
5. Advanced ECM integration.
6. Improved PDF optimization.

Features of Foxit Reader

A flexible free tool

Foxit Reader, developed by California-based software company Foxit, has continuously evolved from its original versions, which stood out for their strong performance and compact files.

This program is a multilingual tool package that allows users to create, view, sign, edit and print PDF files. This is a freeware, which means you can use it without paying a penny, but the premium version gives you some additional perks. Please note that the free Foxit Reader has the basics, unless you require special features.

Another distinguishing feature of this program is its security. It comes with a handy JavaScript-powered safety option to protect you from unauthorized data transfer scripts, if you are using PDF on the Internet.

Foxit Reader also comes with a useful feature of being able to create PDFs from scanned documents. There are also browser-style plugins, which are great for extending Reader's capabilities even further.

Overall, this program is one of the best free PDF readers available, very powerful, fast, and packed with features.

Messy user interface

For those who are not proficient in creating PDF files, Foxit Reader's interface may be a bit overwhelming. On one hand, it looks a bit similar to Microsoft Office, with a ribbon toolbar, but on the other hand, the tools are placed in a way that looks complicated and confusing.

Thankfully, it's relatively easy to understand with the plethora of tools in front of you. You can minimize the ribbon, which helps you reduce screen clutter and free up space for the PDF file you're viewing. There's also a full-screen mode that keeps you distracted and makes it even simpler.

Furthermore, you can minimize a program's entire window to a system tray icon, taking up less space than a line on the Windows taskbar.

There's also a security toolbox to help you keep yourself and your PC safe, especially when working with untrusted documents.

If you plan to use Foxit Reader to view PDF files, learning the different functions is not too complicated. There's a row of tabs that let you work with multiple files at once, as well as a toolbar to help you navigate bookmarks and the table of contents.

Another option includes PDF creation, which you will need to spend some time and learn about, but once done, you will be able to create fully functional PDFs with integrated Microsoft Office options for any function. What capabilities might you need?

Compact and has many tools

Foxit Reader program has a small capacity. The installation file is only 12MB large, helping to install and open documents quickly. The design also reflects this compactness, as it doesn't come with endless splash screens or plugins.

Instead, all the toolbars and tools within serve a clear purpose. In these bars you will find facilities for zooming, taking snapshots, searching, viewing documents in full screen mode, selecting a piece of text, etc.

This reader also allows you to annotate your PDF files with highlighting, bulleting, underlining and adding comments options.

Sometimes, you will want to reuse your PDF files in other applications. With this program, you can convert your PDF files into different file formats, such as text files or image files, Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel, HTML, etc.

Furthermore, you can use forms to collect data through checkboxes or text fields. The information you collect can be easily shared via email, on a website, or online for anyone who wants to fill it out using a PDF editor. Then export the data to a format you can use with other applications.

Flexible use

This program runs on Windows and Mac computers. Foxit Reader for Windows requires Windows 7 to Windows 10 operating system, while Foxit Reader for Mac requires Mac OS X or later.

Foxit Reader is also very flexible. You can run it from a local folder, in the cloud or an external drive, which means you don't even have to install it on your computer but instead put it on a flash drive - the lightweight feature comes in handy here.

Good performance, many new features

Foxit Reader's performance is very good, the program loads documents much faster than Adobe Reader. And it also makes fewer demands on system resources, consuming a minimum of 10.6MB of hard drive space (Adobe Reader requires more than 100MB) and very little RAM when loading.

Recent improvements have been made to Foxit PDF Reader. For example, you can highlight or cross out text or insert your own text comments. There are tools for drawing shapes, arrows, and lines, and adding captions or text boxes. You can fill out, print, and even save completed PDF forms, and the new spell checker will highlight spelling errors and offer suggested alternatives to anything you type.

Other features include Text Viewer , which in one click removes complex formatting to display a simple Notepad-style view of document text. Similarly, Text Converter saves a completed PDF document as a simple text file. It's easy to embed movies and audio files into your PDF documents. And Foxit Reader's Safe Mode has been improved to provide more protection from malicious PDF files.

And document collaboration features let you save your PDFs online and work with others, through almost any computer with a web browser. This is a commercial service, but the generous 3-month trial period means you have plenty of time to try out the tool.

Is it safe to run Foxit Reader.exe? Is it a virus or malware?

Foxit Reader.exe is an executable exe file belonging to the Foxit Reader process that comes with Foxit Reader software developed by Foxit software developer.

If the Foxit Reader.exe process in Windows 10 is important then you should be careful when deleting it. Sometimes the Foxit Reader.exe process may be using the CPU or GPU too much. If it is malware or a virus, it may be running in the background.

The .exe extension of the Foxit Reader.exe file specifies that it is an executable file for Windows operating systems such as Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 10. However, malware and viruses are also transmitted through exe files. So, be sure before running any unknown executable file on your computer or laptop.

Please check the location of this exe file to determine whether this is legitimate software or a virus. The location of this file is usually:

C:Program Files (x86)Foxit SoftwareFoxit Reader

To check if the exe file is legitimate or not, you can start Task Manager. Then click on the column field and add Verified Signer . Now, let's look at the Verified Signer value for the Foxit Reader.exe process. If it says 'Unable to verify' , the file may be a virus.

Additionally, if the software developer is legitimate, the file is not a virus or malware. If the developer is not listed or seems suspicious, you can delete the file using an uninstaller program.

Errors and alternatives

The main limitation of Foxit Reader is that you cannot use it to view flash effects and 3D drawings in your PDF files. Furthermore, it lacks OCR (optical channel recognition) capabilities, which means there's no ability to recognize text on images.

Also, while you install software or any updates, read the fine print section carefully. Otherwise, the program may end up installing unwanted free software on your PC or change some essential computer and browser functions.

Perhaps the most prominent alternative to this program is Adobe Reader DC. Its design caters to viewing, editing and managing in other ways, as well as PDF files, and it works across operating systems.

Other options at your disposal include Sumatra PDF, a small, portable, powerful PDF reader, and PDF-XChange Viewer, which is quite feature-packed and completely free.

You can also look at Nitro PDF Reader, which allows collaboration on projects, etc., or STDU Viewer, which is designed to let you view documents of different formats through a single file manager. best.

Makes working with PDF files much easier

All in all, Foxit Reader is more than a simple replacement for Microsoft's Reader application. It packs quite a few tools and features, making it ideal for creating PDF files and working with them. This is not the only tool of its kind, but it is excellent and a recommended option.

Advantage

1. Easy PDF creation and editing features
2. Integrated tools for security
3. Comes with Microsoft Office plugins
4. Lightweight and fast
5. Annotation tools are available

Defect

1. There is no optical character recognition in the free version
2. Online manual only

Jessica Tanner

Update 02 April 2024