Like its competitors, the Microsoft Edge browser has a built-in PDF reader that is simple but functional. You click a PDF link and a tab opens with the document that you can read, search for, and lightly annotate. But this experience is gaining momentum: Microsoft and Adobe have teamed up to introduce Adobe Acrobat for Edge, which will be a complete replacement for the current PDF engine in the browser.
This move will provide more options when viewing PDFs from the web, such as markup tools, enhanced security for PDFs, and greater accessibility (such as reading aloud). Edge’s PDF extension will be native, with no need to install a separate add-on.
Adobe subscription users will still need to install a browser extension to access additional advanced features such as text and image editing, PDF conversion, and file merging. You can see the interface simulation in the embedded video below.
The transition will occur in March 2023 when the updated PDF technology becomes available to Windows 10 and 11 users. Organizations with managed devices can subscribe on their own schedule, with the legacy mechanism being retired in March 2024.