---
title: "Install PDFBetter on Windows"
description: "Download the PDFBetter app for Windows 10 or 11, choose x64 or ARM, and get past the “Windows protected your PC” SmartScreen message safely."
url: https://help.pdfbetter.com/apps/install-windows-app/
collection: "Desktop & mobile apps"
section: "Desktop"
updated: 2026-10-18
publisher: "PDFBetter (AI Generated Inc.)"
---

# Install PDFBetter on Windows

> Download the installer from [pdfbetter.com/download/windows](https://pdfbetter.com/download/windows/) and run it. If Windows shows “Windows protected your PC”, choose **More info**, then **Run anyway**. It runs on Windows 10 and 11, on x64 and ARM.

1. **Pick the right installer**: On the [Windows download page](https://pdfbetter.com/download/windows/), most PCs need the standard (x64) installer. Snapdragon and other ARM laptops, such as recent Surface models, should use **Windows (ARM)**.
2. **Run the installer**: Open the downloaded PDFBetter .exe file.
3. **Get past SmartScreen if it appears**: If Windows shows “Windows protected your PC”, click **More info**, then **Run anyway**.
4. **Sign in**: PDFBetter opens when it's installed. Click **Sign In with Browser**, finish signing in there, and you're sent back to the app.

> **Why the SmartScreen warning?:** Windows shows it for apps that are new to its download reputation service, and the Windows installer isn't code-signed yet. Only run an installer you downloaded from pdfbetter.com. If your company blocks unsigned apps, use pdfbetter.com in your browser instead: it's the same PDFBetter.

## After installing

- Make PDFBetter your PDF app: right-click a PDF in File Explorer, choose **Open with**, and pick PDFBetter.
- Pin it to the taskbar and drop files on its icon to open them.
- Settings are under **File → Settings** (`Ctrl` `,`).
- The app uses your PDFBetter account and plan; there's nothing extra to buy.

### Which Windows versions are supported?

Windows 10 and 11, 64-bit, on x64 or ARM processors.

### I don't see Run anyway.

Click **More info** first; **Run anyway** appears below the app details. If it still isn't there, your organization's policy blocks the app. Ask your IT team, or use pdfbetter.com in the browser.

## Related articles

- [Open files, use shortcuts and update the desktop app](https://help.pdfbetter.com/apps/desktop-app-files-shortcuts-updates.md): Open files with File → Open…, by dropping them on the app icon, or with “Open with” in Finder or File Explorer. The app updates itself in the background; to check now, use Check for Updates….
- [Install PDFBetter on your Mac](https://help.pdfbetter.com/apps/install-mac-app.md): Download the Mac app from pdfbetter.com/download/mac, open the .dmg and drag PDFBetter into Applications. It's signed and notarized by Apple, needs macOS 12 or later, and signs you in through your browser.
- [Use one PDFBetter account on several devices](https://help.pdfbetter.com/apps/use-pdfbetter-on-several-devices.md): Sign in with the same account everywhere: pdfbetter.com, the Mac and Windows apps and the iPhone app. Your documents, saved signatures and plan are the same on every device. There's no device limit.
- [Can I use PDFBetter offline?](https://help.pdfbetter.com/apps/what-works-offline.md): Mostly no. Your documents live in your account, so pdfbetter.com and the Mac and Windows apps need an internet connection. When you're offline, the desktop app shows a reconnect screen. The iPhone app keeps edits on the device until it can sync.

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Source: https://help.pdfbetter.com/apps/install-windows-app/ · PDFBetter Help Center · Last checked against the product 2026-10-18. Questions: support@pdfbetter.com