Adobe Reader without the bloat
Adobe Reader Lite is a free document management application for Windows. Created by Adobe—one of the leading names in productivity software — the app allows its users to view and edit PDF files. It also comes with tools to comment and sign your documents.
Adobe Reader Lite is a stripped version of the popular Adobe Reader DC. With this, you can get the essential tools, but without the unnecessary bloat that the latter is known for. Since it trims down the extensive set of features, it will also be light on the resources. However, expect that some functions will not be available.
Limited capabilities
Adobe Reader DC is one of the software that many users download after installing a fresh copy of Windows. This app has been known to help open PDF files. However, over time, it has made a reputation for being resource-demanding and lags. It is for this reason that some users look for alternative PDF readers. One of these is Adobe Reader Lite. As the name suggests, it is the lite edition of the well-known PDF program.
As mentioned, the app trims down the set of features from Adobe Reader DC to provide users only with the essential tools. Among those is the annotating feature. With it, you can insert comments onto the documents. By adding feedback to specific parts of the file, readers can see which areas they should focus on and what to do. Another tool that you can use is the highlighter. Similar to annotations, this function highlights important lines, paragraphs, or terms in your file.
Users would also be happy to know that the lite version retained the Fill and Sign tool. With it, you will still be able to draw your signature on the document. Note, however, that the document creator will still be in charge of creating the signature field. You can still draw over the page, however, even if the program lacks optimized form fields.
Security and other utilities
While Adobe Reader Lite lacks some features that the full Adobe Reader version offers, some nifty functions are still present. For one, readers with impaired vision, slight blindness, or limited mobility can still use the customization options to help them read with ease. In the Preferences menu, the Accessibility section will present you with an easy-to-use wizard. Here, you can enable a larger text display, higher contrasts, and other adjustments to project a more dynamic background on your screen.
The app also did not forgo the security features common amongst Adobe products. It is because internet sleuths can use PDF files to send malicious codes into your computer. Under the Preferences option is the security menu, which you can use to send malware or viruses to an isolated environment. With this, threats are sent away from your device, keeping your sensitive data protected.
However, similar to the full version, Adobe Reader Lite cannot apply a password to the document. This feature is only available on Adobe Acrobat. Additionally, Adobe keeps this app separate from its cloud service. With this, you cannot import documents from other Adobe cloud-based programs. Moreover, there is no text-to-voice feature in the lite version. It is a pity since it would have been a helpful supplementary tool for the visually impaired user.
Still a useful alternative
Overall, Adobe Reader Lite is a useful app for users who need to open and read PDF files. It is a lightweight alternative to the more bloated Adobe Reader DC app. It does not come with a full suite of features, but it retained some helpful ones. With it, you can still read, annotate, highlight, or sign your documents. Don’t expect a lot, though, since it only contains the essential features.
