Filling out contract forms, reviewing student submissions, and proofreading manuals frequently involves downloading separate PDF editor utilities or purchasing subscription-based desktop software. Built directly into Microsoft Edge is a full-featured, hardware-accelerated PDF reader and annotation workspace. Without installing any third-party extensions, users on Windows 11, Windows 10, and macOS can add freehand stylus inking, highlight text, type comments, rotate pages, and save annotated copies cleanly.
Key PDF Editing Tools Built Into Microsoft Edge
The integrated Edge PDF toolbar provides essential markup tools right in your browser:
- Draw / Inking: Freehand digital inking with customisable pen thickness and a palette of colours, supporting stylus pressure sensitivity on Surface and touch screens.
- Highlighting: Mark text passages with semi-transparent yellow, green, cyan, or custom highlighter colours.
- Add Text: Place floating text boxes anywhere on forms, adjust font size, and type directly into non-interactive documents.
- Read Aloud: Natural voice text-to-speech narration that reads document pages while highlighting spoken words.
- Form Filling: Full native support for standard interactive AcroForm PDF fields, checkboxes, and radio buttons.
How to Open and Edit a PDF File in Microsoft Edge
Accessing the Edge PDF editor is straightforward:
- Locate the PDF document on your computer.
- Right-click the file, select Open with, and choose Microsoft Edge.
- The document renders in Edge with the floating PDF toolbar positioned at the top of the viewport.
Adding Digital Inking and Freehand Drawings
To sign forms or write handwritten corrections:
- Click the Draw icon (the pen symbol) on the top toolbar.
- Click the dropdown arrow next to the Draw button to choose your stroke colour and drag the slider to set pen stroke thickness.
- Use your mouse, trackpad, or digital stylus to write signatures, circle diagram sections, or write margin notes.
- To remove unwanted strokes, click the Erase icon (the eraser symbol) and click on any ink stroke to wipe it away.
Highlighting and Adding Text Notes to PDF Documents
To emphasise critical clauses or add feedback comments:
| Markup Action | Toolbar Tool | Instructions |
|---|---|---|
| Text Highlighting | Highlight Tool (Pen with yellow tip) | Select your preferred highlight colour, then click and drag across text words to highlight them. |
| Type Text Notes | Add Text (“T” icon) | Click the “T” icon, click anywhere on the PDF page where you need to type, and enter your text. |
| Adjust Text Formatting | Floating Text Bar | Click on your typed text box to adjust font colour, size, or drag the box to reposition it. |
Saving Your Annotated PDF Document
When you finish your PDF revisions, Edge provides two distinct saving methods:
- Save (Floppy Disk icon / Ctrl + S): Writes your ink strokes and text modifications directly back into the original PDF file.
- Save As (Floppy Disk with pencil icon / Ctrl + Shift + S): Generates a new, separate PDF file preserving your edits while keeping the original file untouched.
Setting Microsoft Edge as Your Default PDF Viewer
If you appreciate the speed and built-in annotation tools of Edge, set it as your default handler in Windows 11 by navigating to Settings > Apps > Default apps > Enter .pdf in the search field > Set Microsoft Edge as Default.