You already have a PDF reader
Every modern operating system and web browser now includes a built-in PDF viewer. You do not need to install Adobe Acrobat Reader at all. Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Apple Preview all open PDF files quickly, use less memory, and receive automatic security updates.
Adobe Acrobat Reader is still one of the most targeted applications for malware. Its editing features such as annotations, form filling, comments and digital signatures expand the attack surface, yet most home users never touch those tools. A lightweight browser-based viewer removes the risk entirely.
Built-in PDF readers compared
Microsoft Edge (Windows 10, 11)
Edge is the default PDF viewer in Windows 10 and 11. It opens PDFs instantly, supports text search, page rotation, read-aloud, and handwritten annotations with a stylus. Edge also lets you fill in and save PDF forms. Because it updates through Windows Update, you always have the latest security patches without any extra prompts.
Google Chrome (Windows, macOS, Linux)
Chrome has shipped a built-in PDF viewer for many years. It handles viewing, searching, zooming and printing. Chrome updates silently in the background, so there are no pop-ups asking you to install patches, unlike Adobe Reader.
Mozilla Firefox (Windows, macOS, Linux)
Firefox includes pdf.js, an open-source PDF renderer written entirely in JavaScript. It supports viewing, searching, form filling and printing. Like Chrome, Firefox updates automatically.
Apple Preview (macOS)
Preview is the default PDF and image viewer on macOS. It opens PDFs instantly and supports annotation, highlighting, form filling, signing, page reordering, and combining multiple PDFs into one file. It receives updates through macOS system updates.
Why avoid Adobe Acrobat Reader?
- Large install size and frequent background processes slow down older computers.
- Update prompts are easy to ignore, leaving known vulnerabilities unpatched.
- Bundled optional software (toolbars, trials) can be installed accidentally.
- Advanced features most people never use increase the attack surface for malware.
If you need to edit text inside a PDF, you need the paid Adobe Acrobat Pro or an alternative such as LibreOffice Draw. For simply reading, printing, or filling forms, a browser is enough.
How to set your browser as the default PDF viewer
Windows 11
Open Settings, then Apps, then Default apps. Scroll down and click Choose defaults by file type. Find .pdf in the list and select Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, or another browser. From then on, double-clicking any PDF will open it in that browser.
Windows 10
Open Settings, then Apps, then Default apps, then Choose default apps by file type. Scroll to .pdf and pick your preferred browser.
macOS
Right-click any PDF file in Finder, choose Get Info, expand Open with, select the application you want (Preview is already the default), and click Change All to apply it to every PDF.
If you later decide you need Adobe Acrobat Reader for a specific task, you can always download it from the Adobe website and change the default back.
published in 2013. Updated February 2026.