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Windows · PDF

Okular for Windows

Free, open-source KDE document viewer for PDF and many other formats, with solid annotation tools and a Windows build via the Microsoft Store.

Updated August 9, 2026 · Reviewed by SoftNexi Editorial Team, Software research and documentation

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Overview

Okular is a free, open-source universal document viewer developed by the KDE community. Beyond PDF, it opens formats including EPUB, DjVu, XPS, Markdown, and comic book archives, and it includes annotation tools — highlighting, freehand drawing, stamps, and text notes — that go well beyond a pure viewer like SumatraPDF.

It suits users who want a free, cross-platform-minded viewer with genuine annotation capability, particularly those already familiar with KDE software on Linux who also use Windows. The Windows build is distributed through the Microsoft Store as well as via KDE's own packaging.

Compared with Adobe Acrobat Reader, Okular has no form-filling or e-signature workflow tailored to business documents, but its annotation tools are more capable than a bare-bones viewer and it carries no ads, upsell prompts, or optional bundled offers, being a community open-source project.

Okular also supports reviewing annotations added by other people and exporting the annotated document, which makes it usable for basic collaborative markup even without cloud sync features.

Key features

  • Opens PDF, EPUB, DjVu, XPS, Markdown, and comic book archive formats
  • Annotation tools including highlighting, freehand drawing, stamps, and notes
  • Table of contents and thumbnail navigation panels
  • Presentation mode for displaying documents full-screen
  • Available via the Microsoft Store or direct download from KDE
  • Open-source codebase with no ads or bundled offers

System requirements

Operating system
Windows 11 and Windows 10

How to install Okular

  1. 1. Choose an install method

    Install Okular from the Microsoft Store for automatic updates, or download a Windows package directly from okular.kde.org/download.

  2. 2. Run the installer

    Follow the Store install flow, or run the downloaded installer and approve the UAC prompt.

  3. 3. Set as default (optional)

    Choose whether Okular should open PDF and other supported files by default.

  4. 4. Explore the panels

    Open the sidebar to enable the table of contents or thumbnail navigation panel for longer documents.

How to use it

  1. 1. Annotate a PDF

    Use the annotation toolbar to highlight text, draw freehand notes, or add stamps while reviewing a document.

  2. 2. Navigate long documents

    Use the table of contents sidebar for PDFs with bookmarks, or the thumbnail panel to jump between pages visually.

  3. 3. Present a document

    Use the Presentation view for a distraction-free, full-screen display when showing a document to others.

  4. 4. Open non-PDF formats

    Use Okular for EPUB e-books or comic book archives as well, since it handles multiple document types beyond PDF.

Safety and privacy

  • Install from the Microsoft Store or okular.kde.org to get an official build.
  • Okular is open source, so its code is publicly reviewable by the KDE community.
Bundled software
The official builds do not include bundled third-party offers.
Privacy
Okular works entirely offline with no account requirement and no telemetry prompts.

Known risks

  • As with any document viewer, keep it updated to receive fixes for any parsing vulnerabilities discovered in supported file formats.

What's new

    Pros and cons

    Pros

    • Free and open source with no ads or upsell prompts
    • Genuine annotation tools beyond basic viewing
    • Supports a wide range of document formats
    • Available through the Microsoft Store for easy updates

    Cons

    • No form-filling or e-signature workflow for business documents
    • No OCR or text-editing capability
    • Interface is more utilitarian than polished commercial viewers

    Verdict

    Okular is a strong free choice for readers who want solid annotation tools and broad format support without ads or upsell prompts. Users needing form filling or e-signatures for business documents should look at Acrobat Reader or Foxit instead.

    Frequently asked questions

    Is Okular free?

    Yes, Okular is free and open source with no paid tier or ads.

    Can Okular fill out PDF forms?

    Okular has limited form support; it is not a dedicated form-filling and e-signature tool like Acrobat Reader or Foxit.

    Does Okular work on Windows 11?

    Yes, Okular supports Windows 11 and Windows 10, and is available through the Microsoft Store.

    What formats besides PDF does Okular support?

    Okular also opens EPUB, DjVu, XPS, Markdown, and comic book archive formats, among others.