PDF Reader
This simple application opens PDF and image files as plain text. This makes it easy to read them with a screenreader. You can also save files as text documents so you can read them easily later. Inaccessible PDF files and image files (JPEG, TIFF) are OCR'd to extract text so it will give you the text for anything you can throw at it.
Getting PDF Reader
PDF Reader is free. You can get it from one of the links below. You will then have a desktop shortcut called "PDF Reader" you can use to start the program. You can also find "PDF Reader" in your Start menu.
- Installer for PDF Reader Install this Windows Installer MSI file to install PDF Reader. You will get a warning from Windows when you download and run it.
- Get Accessible PDF Reader from the Windows Store Get from the Windows Store, so you don't get any security warnings.
Features
- Easy to use, just open a PDF or image using the standard File dialog. You can also make the program the default PDF reader (handler).
- Opens PDF, JPEG, GIF, TIFF and PNG files with OCR where required.
- Opens inaccessible and accessible PDF files.
- It works with every screenreader, from Thunder and NVDA through to JAWS and WindowEyes. It even works with the built-in Windows Narrator!
- It uses big, clear 16pt text and line-and-a-half spacing so people with a little sight can use it without needing a screenreader at all.
- You don't need to be an administrator to install it, and it automatically updates itself, so you don't need to know much to keep it running - I'll take care of all of that from the WebbIE website.
- It's completely free. Go ahead and distribute and use it as you will.
Technical Details
- You need to be on a supported version of Microsoft Windows. Older versions probably still work too.
- It uses the open-source pdftotext.exe program from foo labs, the Tesseract OCR program from Google and the GhostScript programs.
- PDF passwords are supported, but only for some older types of PDF security (e.g. PDF 1.3 40-bit encryption).
- If you need help, call me on +44 7983 244 131 or Skype me on Alasdairking. You can email support@webbie.org.uk but you're unlikely to get a response: this isn't my day job!
Version History
- 5.1.0, 21 April 2021
- File fixes and improved OCR. Also some telemetry, which means it tells me that people are using it, but nothing about what you're reading.
- 4.0.1, 5 May 2018
- All the features in 4.0.0 should now actually work because the correct files get installed!
- 4.0.0, 24 Feb 2018
- Added support for opening image files by using Tesseract OCR: support for JPEG, GIF, BMP, TIFF and PNG.
- Added support for inaccessible PDF files: if no text content is obtained from opening a PDF file it will be OCR'd instead.
- 3.2.0 9 October 2015
- Added support for non-Western (non-English) PDF files (e.g. Polish).
- Added TeamViewer option to Help menu for support.
- 3.1.1 17 March 2014
- Fixed a bug with PDF file handling (so now right-click will give you Open With)
- Fixed a bug with the colour change option (text was the same colour on another colour)
- 3.1.0 14 January 2014
- Added a colour change option so you can set foreground and background colours for maximum readability.