How to Add Adobe PDF Printer to Your Computer

What the Adobe PDF printer does and why you might want it

The Adobe PDF printer is a virtual printer that turns any document into a PDF file instead of printing it on paper. When you open a document in Word, a web browser, or almost any other program and choose "Print," you can select "Adobe PDF" as your printer, and the computer saves the result as a PDF rather than sending it to a physical printer.

This is useful if you want to preserve a document's exact formatting, combine multiple documents into one file, or send something to someone without letting them edit the original. Unlike taking a screenshot or exporting from within a program, the PDF printer captures everything exactly as it appears on your screen.

The Adobe PDF printer comes built into Adobe Acrobat (the paid version), but not into the free Adobe Reader. If you have Acrobat installed, the printer is already there. If you only have Reader or no Adobe software at all, you have other options covered in the sections below.

Key Takeaways

Adobe Acrobat (paid software) includes the PDF printer automatically; Adobe Reader (free) does not.
If you have Acrobat, the PDF printer appears in your printer list without any extra setup steps.
If you do not have Acrobat, Windows 10 and 11 include a built-in PDF printer called "Print to PDF" that works the same way.
On Mac, the system PDF option is built into the print dialog and requires no installation.
Third-party PDF creators like Nitro or PDFtk are free alternatives if you need more features than the built-in option offers.

Checking whether you already have Adobe Acrobat installed

Before you add anything, confirm what you have. Open any document — a Word file, a web page, or an email — and look for a Print option. On Windows, press Ctrl + P. On Mac, press Command + P. A print dialog will open showing your available printers.

Scroll through the printer list and look for "Adobe PDF" or "Acrobat PDF Printer." If you see it, you already have Adobe Acrobat installed and the PDF printer is ready to use. You do not need to do anything else. If you do not see it, move to the next section.

If you are unsure whether you own Acrobat, check your Adobe account. Go to adobe.com, click your profile icon in the top right, and select "My Account." Under "Plans and Products," you will see what you own. Acrobat shows up as "Acrobat Pro" or "Acrobat Standard." If you only see "Reader," you have the free version.

Using Windows 10 or 11's built-in PDF printer

Windows 10 and 11 come with a PDF printer called "Print to PDF" that does the same job as the Adobe PDF printer. It is already installed and requires no setup. Open any document, press Ctrl + P, and look for "Print to PDF" in the printer list. Select it and click Print. Windows will ask you where to save the file and what to name it.

This option works for almost everything — Word documents, web pages, emails, photos. The resulting PDF looks identical to what you saw on screen. The only limitation is that "Print to PDF" does not include the advanced editing tools that come with Adobe Acrobat, such as adding comments, combining multiple PDFs, or extracting pages. For most home use, this is more than enough.

If you do not see "Print to PDF" in your printer list, it may have been disabled. Go to Settings, then Devices, then Printers and Scanners. Scroll down and click Add a printer or scanner. Wait a few seconds, then look for "Print to PDF" in the results. Click it and select Add device.

Installing Adobe Acrobat if you own it

If you own Adobe Acrobat but have not installed it yet, go to adobe.com and sign in with your account. Click your profile icon and select "My Account." Under "Plans and Products," find Acrobat and click Install or read. This will read the Acrobat installer to your computer.

Run the installer file (on Windows, double-click it; on Mac, double-click the .dmg file). Follow the on-screen prompts and let the installation finish. This usually takes five to ten minutes. When it is done, restart your computer. The Adobe PDF printer will now appear in your printer list the next time you open a print dialog.

If you have an older version of Acrobat already installed and want to update it, the installer will replace the old version automatically. You do not need to uninstall first.

Using a free third-party PDF creator

If you do not own Acrobat and want more features than Windows's "Print to PDF," several free programs add a PDF printer to your system. PDFtk and Nitro PDF Creator are both free and work similarly to the Adobe PDF printer.

To install PDFtk, go to pdftk.com, read the installer for your operating system, and run it. Follow the prompts. Once installed, "PDFtk" will appear in your printer list. To install Nitro, go to nitropdf.com/free, read the free version, and run the installer. Both add a virtual printer that works exactly like the Adobe PDF printer.

These programs are legitimate and safe, but they may include optional toolbars or extra software during installation. During setup, uncheck any boxes for additional programs you do not want. The PDF printer itself is free and does not require a subscription.

Using the PDF option on Mac

Mac computers have a built-in PDF option in the print dialog that requires no installation. Open any document and press Command + P. In the print dialog, look for a PDF button in the bottom left corner. Click it and select Save as PDF. Choose where to save the file and what to name it.

This works for any document on Mac and produces a PDF identical to what you see on screen. If you own Adobe Acrobat for Mac, the Adobe PDF printer will also appear in the printer list, but the built-in Mac option is usually sufficient for everyday use.

Troubleshooting when the PDF printer does not appear

If you installed Adobe Acrobat or a third-party PDF creator but the printer still does not show up, restart your computer first. Many programs require a restart to register a new printer. After restarting, open a print dialog again and check the full printer list.

On Windows, if the printer still does not appear, go to Settings, Devices, Printers and Scanners, and look for the PDF printer in the list. If it is there but grayed out, click it and select Enable. If it is not in the list at all, uninstall the program (go to Settings, Apps, find the program, and click Uninstall), restart, and reinstall it.

On Mac, if the printer does not appear after restarting, open System Preferences, go to Printers and Scanners, and click the plus sign to add a printer. Look for the PDF printer in the list and select it. If you still cannot find it, try uninstalling and reinstalling the software.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Adobe PDF printer without owning Acrobat?

No. The Adobe PDF printer is only included with Adobe Acrobat (the paid version). Adobe Reader (free) does not include it. However, Windows 10 and 11 have a built-in "Print to PDF" option that works identically, and Mac has a built-in PDF option in the print dialog. Both are free and require no installation.

What is the difference between the Adobe PDF printer and Windows's Print to PDF?

Both create PDFs that look the same. The Adobe PDF printer includes extra features like adding comments, combining files, and extracting pages, but these are rarely needed for home use. For most people, Print to PDF is sufficient and is already on your computer.

Does the PDF printer cost money to use?

No. If you own Adobe Acrobat, the PDF printer is included at no extra cost. Windows's "Print to PDF" and Mac's built-in PDF option are free. Third-party options like PDFtk and Nitro are also free, though they may offer paid versions with extra features.

Can I password-protect a PDF I create with the PDF printer?

The built-in options (Windows Print to PDF and Mac's PDF option) do not password-protect files. Adobe Acrobat's PDF printer does include this feature. If you need password protection, use Acrobat or open the finished PDF in a free tool like PDFtk, which can add passwords after the file is created.

Will the PDF printer work with every program on my computer?

Yes. Any program that has a Print option can use the PDF printer. This includes Word, web browsers, email clients, photos, and most other software. If a program can print to paper, it can print to PDF.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.