Unlike most other operating systems, Windows still doesn't include first-class support for printing to PDF. However, PDF printing is still quite simple – you can quickly install a free PDF printer or use the support included in various programs.
We'll cover how you can easily print to PDF, whether you're using a computer at home where you can install a PDF printer or using a locked computer, you can't install any software. Here's How to Print to PDF on Windows which About the printer briefly summarized so it's easy to do.
1. Using Windows 10? There is a built-in Print to PDF feature
If you're using Windows 10, you're in luck, as they've finally included the print to PDF feature natively into the operating system. So you can choose File -> Print from any application, and then print to the “Microsoft Print to PDF” option as your printer. It is possible that some other solutions may work better, but you should really try this option as it doesn't require any installation.
2. Install PDF Printer
Windows does not include a built-in PDF printer, but does include a printer that prints to the Microsoft XPS file format. You can install a PDF printer to print to PDF from any application in Windows with the print dialog. PDF Printer will add a new virtual printer to your list of installed printers.
When you print any document to a PDF printer, it will create a new PDF file on your computer instead of printing it to a physical document. You can choose from a variety of free PDF printers available online, but we got lucky with the free CutePDF Writer (Download from Ninite).
 |
| Install PDF Printer |
Just download, run the installer, and you're done. Make sure to uncheck the terrible Ask Toolbar and other bloatware during installation. On Windows 8, your installed PDF printer will appear in the classic desktop Print dialog and the Modern Printers list.
3. Use the Built-in PDF Export Program
Some apps have added their own PDF export support as Windows doesn't have it by default. In many programs, you can print to PDF without installing a PDF printer at all.
- Google Chrome: Click the menu and then click Print. Click the Change button under Destinations and select Save as PDF.
- Microsoft Office: Open the menu, select Export, and select Create PDF/XPS Document.
- LibreOffice: Go to the File menu and select Export as PDF.
 |
| Use the Built-in PDF Export Program |
Usually you can create a PDF file from the print dialog or with the “Export to PDF” or “Save to PDF” option if the program supports it. To print to PDF from anywhere, install a PDF printer.
4. Print to XPS and Convert to PDF
Maybe you're on a computer that doesn't have any software installed, but you want to print to PDF from Internet Explorer or another program without integrated PDF support. If you are using Windows Vista, 7, or 8, you can print to a Microsoft XPS Document Writer printer to create an XPS file from the document. You will have a document in the form of an XPS file that you can take with you. You can convert it to a PDF file later with one of the following methods:
- Use an Online Converter: If the document is not very important or sensitive, you can use a free web-based converter like XPS2PDF to create a PDF document from your XPS file.
- Print XPS Files to PDF: Bring XPS files to a computer with a PDF printer installed. Open the XPS file in Microsoft's XPS Viewer, click File -> Print, and print the XPS file to your virtual PDF printer. This will create a PDF file with the same content as your XPS file.
 |
| Print to XPS and Convert to PDF |
5. Quickly Create PDFs from Websites
If you're using a computer without a PDF printer and you just want to print the web page to a PDF file that you can take with you, you don't have to bother with any conversion process. Just use a web-based tool like Web2PDF, enter the webpage address, and it will create a PDF file for you. A tool like this is intended for public web pages, not private pages like online shopping receipts.
 |
| Web2PDF |
Hopefully the information on How to Print to PDF on Windows that Erzedka has provided can be useful for readers and can make it easier to print to PDF form.