Can't edit PDF. How can I enable editing on a PDF from Windows 10?

If you're stuck and feel like you can't edit PDF because you don't want to pay for software, Microsoft Edge is actually a surprisingly handy free tool that's already sitting on your Windows 10 machine. It won't let you completely rewrite paragraphs or move images around, but it's perfect for adding text, highlights, drawings, and filling out forms—so you can't edit PDF in a heavy way, but you can definitely mark it up.

How to Use Microsoft Edge as a PDF Editor

Step 1: Open your PDF in Edge

Right-click your PDF file, select Open with, and choose Microsoft Edge. It's usually the first option.

Step 2: Find the editing toolbar

Once your PDF opens, look at the top of the window for a toolbar with several icons. That's where all the editing magic lives.

Step 3: Add text

Click the Add text icon (looks like a little "A" with a plus sign). Click anywhere on the PDF and start typing. You can even change the font color and size.

Step 4: Highlight or draw

Use the Highlight tool to mark important text, or use the Draw tool to freehand sketch or write with your mouse or touchscreen. You can even adjust the ink color and thickness.

Step 5: Save your work

When you're done, just hit Ctrl+S or click the Save icon. Your edits will be saved directly to the same file—no exporting or converting needed.

If you need to combine changes from multiple apps, you can use the "Print to PDF" trick. After making your annotations in Edge, go to File → Print, choose Microsoft Print to PDF, and save it. This creates a new file that bakes in all your changes, making it harder for others to accidentally edit them. Just remember to uncheck "Print to fit" if you want to keep the original page layout.