It has taken many Windows versions, but Windows 10 finally comes with a PDF converter as standard. The tool works the same as a printer, only you don't need paper and ink, just your hard drive.
Reading a PDF is self-explanatory. Or you use the browser Edge for that - in Windows 10. Or you can install a specially designed program such as the free Adobe Reader. It remains to create PDF files. That's one thing that's a little less obvious in Windows. Or better: lay. Because since Windows 10, this operating system finally has the option to create PDF files for free without installing additional tools. And it works extremely simply. In any program that supports printing, issue a print command. For example via the menu File and then Print. Then choose as printer in the open menu behind Name in front of Microsoft Print to PDF. click on OK or Print (sometimes like in Firefox you have to put one on OK and on Print in the toolbar) and you will be asked for a save location for the created PDF file. That's all.
Archive
Obviously, creating PDF files offers a thousand and one possibilities. Perhaps one of the most interesting is the creation of an archive of web pages of interest to you. Save a favorite workshop as a local PDF file somewhere online. Or how about that nice but slightly longer article on some subject that interests you? Make a PDF of it and then transfer it via, for example, an email to your smartphone or tablet, then you can read it quietly on the train to work or study. Even without an internet connection.
More possibilities
A disadvantage of the standard Microsoft 'PDF printer' is that it has zero setting options. If you want more options in that regard, take a look at the free PrimoPDF. This tool has been around for many years and gives you control over the final PDF quality. And with that also about the file size.
