Home » » How to View and Use PDF, XPS, and TIFF Files with the Reader App in Windows

How to View and Use PDF, XPS, and TIFF Files with the Reader App in Windows

The Reader app, developed by Microsoft, is included in the standard Windows experience, making it a handy tool for viewing various document formats such as PDF, XPS, and TIFF. Although many users rely on third-party applications for this purpose, the Reader app offers a user-friendly and integrated solution available in Windows 8.1 and Windows 10.

Contents

  1. How to Start the Reader App in Windows 8.1 and Windows 10
  2. How to Open PDF, XPS, and TIFF Files in the Reader App
  3. How to Open Multiple Files Simultaneously in the Reader App
  4. How to Open Files in a New Window in the Reader App
  5. How to Print Files from the Reader App
  6. How to Rotate Files in the Reader App
  7. How to View Bookmarks Inside a File and Use Them in the Reader App
  8. How to Save the File with a Different Name in the Reader App
  9. How to Jump to a Certain Page in Your File Using the Reader App
  10. How to Switch Between Viewing Modes in the Reader App
  11. How to Search Through a PDF or XPS Document in the Reader App
  12. How to Highlight Text and Add Notes in the Reader App
  13. Conclusion
NOTE: This guide applies to computers and devices running Windows 10 and Windows 8.1.

How to Start the Reader App in Windows 8.1 and Windows 10

In Windows 8.1, the Reader app comes bundled with the operating system. Here’s how to start it:

  1. Locate the app through your list of applications and click on its shortcut.
  2. Alternatively, type its name on the Start screen and select it from the results.
  3. For Windows 10 users, look for the app in the Apps list or type "reader" into Cortana's search box.

How to start the Reader app in Windows

How to Open PDF, XPS, and TIFF Files in the Reader App

If the Reader app is set as the default application for PDF, XPS, and TIFF files, simply double-click on the file to open it.

If you need to set the Reader app as the default for these formats, check out this guide: The easy way to set your default apps in Windows 8.1 & Windows 10.

Opening files in the Reader app

How to Open Multiple Files Simultaneously in the Reader App

The Reader app allows simultaneous opening of multiple documents. Here's how:

  1. Open the first file, then right-click or swipe upwards on the screen.
  2. Click the "Open another file" button.
  3. Select "Open file in new tab" from the dropdown menu.

NOTE: You can only open five files at a time; exceeding this limit will close the oldest file.

How to Open Files in a New Window in the Reader App

If you need to view two files simultaneously, start by opening the first file. Then, right-click on it and select the "Open in a new window" option from the menu that appears.

Open in a new window

Conclusion

The Microsoft Reader app offers a straightforward and effective way to manage and view your PDF, XPS, and TIFF files. With a range of functionalities, from opening multiple files to printing, this guide provides you with all the essential tips to enhance your productivity. For further information, please refer to the relevant sections in this article.

(37) Comments

  1. Rachel B. -

    Am I the only one who thinks the Reader app is underrated? It handles files really well

  2. Huyền Lizzie -

    So happy I stumbled upon this article! It’s been a lifesaver for my projects dealing with various file formats

  3. Tina W. -

    I just want to say how grateful I am for articles like this! They empower users to explore tech

  4. Nancy Green -

    If anyone’s having trouble with XPS files, the Reader app is super intuitive! You won’t regret trying it

  5. Bobby H -

    The interface of the Reader app is clean and simple. Makes my life so much easier!

  6. Petey the Cat -

    After reading this, I’m going to give the Reader app a shot for my school projects. Fingers crossed

  7. Jessie & Friends -

    This guide is so well-explained! I will definitely be sharing it with my study group

  8. Rudy Tech -

    I totally agree! I shared this with my colleagues so they could ease their workloads too

  9. Chloe99 -

    If you're struggling with PDFs, definitely read this! It changed my approach to file management!

  10. David 1234 -

    Pretty cool info! I just used the Reader app for XPS files and it worked great! Highly recommend!

  11. Tommy -

    Great read! You should also check out the settings for better performance

  12. Kathy White -

    I’ve found that the Reader app really streamlines my workflow with PDFs. Love it!

  13. Sarah082 -

    I was curious about the different file types. This answered a lot of my questions about viewing methods!

  14. Owen & Co -

    I used to feel lost with file types. This guide made everything clear! Thanks!

  15. Kevin -

    Anyone else think that reading PDFs on a computer is better than on mobile? Just me

  16. Mèo con -

    Wow, I can't believe I was missing out on how to view TIFF files easily! Thanks for the guide

  17. Jenna -

    If anyone has tips on organizing all these files using the Reader app, I'd love to hear them!

  18. Rachel -

    I wish I had known this sooner! I wasted so much time trying to convert files before finding this method

  19. Hương KT -

    I really appreciate the step-by-step instructions! It makes it so easy to view files without stress.

  20. Andy IT -

    Came here looking for info and ended up learning something new today! Thanks!

  21. Sara Wilson -

    Question! Can the Reader app annotate PDF files as well? I need to add comments for my study notes.

  22. Beta Geek -

    Can’t wait to try out the Reader app for TIFF files! I was always using separate software for that!

  23. Linda M. -

    Why didn’t I find this sooner? It’s such a lifesaver for anyone dealing with documents

  24. Claire -

    Does anyone know if the Reader app supports batch printing for PDF files? That would be a game changer!

  25. Mike 45 -

    OMG! I just tried it out and it works like a charm! I'm going to share this with my friends

  26. Zoe xoxo -

    Just tried using the Reader app for PDFs, and I love the new features! Makes reading so much easier

  27. Quang vn -

    Could someone explain how to set this app to default for all PDF files? I find it quite annoying switching every time

  28. Linh mèo -

    I had no idea TIFF files could be opened with the Reader app. How many other formats am I missing

  29. Emily Smith -

    This article is super helpful! I never knew I could use the Reader app to view TIFF files. Just what I needed!

  30. John Doe -

    Thanks for sharing this! I've always struggled with PDF files, but it looks like the Reader app makes it easier to manage them

  31. Frank IT -

    I use the Reader app daily for my work, and these tips are going to be super useful

  32. Max The Dog -

    This article made me feel like a tech wizard! Thanks for breaking everything down!

  33. Gerry P -

    I wish I'd known about all these features earlier. The Reader app has totally upgraded my document handling

  34. Sam Lee -

    I've been using the Reader app for months and didn’t realize it could handle TIFFs. Such a nice surprise

  35. Nick J. -

    For those who still have questions about using the Reader app, there are tons of forums online for troubleshooting

  36. Cathy C. -

    Just had an issue with a corrupt PDF and learned the Reader app could help recover it. Amazing!

  37. Panda Paws -

    I love how user-friendly the Reader app is! It seriously saved me a lot of headaches this week

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