Windows · Guide
How to Merge PDF Files on Windows
Short answer
Use PDF24 Creator, a free Windows tool, to combine multiple PDFs into one file: open its Merge PDF tool, drag your files into order, and save the combined document.
Requirements
- Windows 11 or Windows 10
- PDF24 Creator (free) or PDF-XChange Editor
- The PDF files you want to combine
Steps
1. Install PDF24 Creator
Download it from tools.pdf24.org/en and install it. It adds a set of PDF tools plus a virtual PDF printer.
2. Open the Merge tool
Launch PDF24 Creator and choose Merge PDF from the tool list, or use its Merge PDF online-style page opened locally.
3. Add your files
Drag and drop the PDF files you want to combine into the window.
4. Arrange the order
Drag the thumbnails into the order you want them to appear in the final document.
5. Save the combined PDF
Click Save or Continue, choose a destination and filename, and confirm the merged file opens correctly.
Alternative methods
1. Use PDF-XChange Editor
PDF-XChange Editor's free version can insert pages from other PDFs into an open document via Document > Insert Pages > From File.
2. Use SumatraPDF alongside a merge tool
SumatraPDF does not merge files but is a fast, lightweight way to preview the result immediately after merging.
Troubleshooting
A file will not add to the merge list
The PDF may be password-protected. Remove the password first, or enter it when prompted, since encrypted PDFs cannot be merged directly.
Page order comes out wrong after merging
Re-check the thumbnail order before saving; PDF24 merges files in exactly the order shown, not the order you selected them in File Explorer.
The merged file is unexpectedly large
Use PDF24's Compress tool afterward, or re-save with image compression enabled if the source PDFs contain large scanned images.
Frequently asked questions
Is PDF24 Creator really free?
Yes, PDF24 Creator is free for personal and business use, funded by optional donations.
Can I merge password-protected PDFs?
You need to remove or enter the password first; merge tools generally cannot combine encrypted PDFs without unlocking them.
Does Windows have a built-in PDF merge feature?
No. Windows can view and print PDFs natively, but combining multiple PDFs requires third-party software.