In 2023, Microsoft transitioned the PDF engine in its Edge browser to Adobe’s technology. This change made Adobe the default PDF engine for consumer devices, while businesses were given the option to choose whether to adopt the new engine. Consumers, however, could revert to the previous engine by adjusting a browser flag setting. Beginning in September 2025, system administrators will need to implement an opt-out policy if they wish to postpone the rollout of Adobe’s PDF engine on their systems.
This deferment can only last until early 2026, when Microsoft aims to retire its legacy PDF engine in Edge completely. One of the significant issues users have raised regarding Adobe’s PDF engine is the requirement to pay for many advanced features, including text and image editing, format conversions, and document merging. This has highlighted concerns among users about Microsoft’s approach to monetizing features, as it appears to charge extra for functionalities that were previously available without cost. Overall, the transition signifies a shift in how Microsoft manages its PDF services, with an indication that users might face additional costs to access functionalities that may have been taken for granted before.
This change has sparked debate among users about the value of paid features versus those provided free of charge in older versions of the software.