How to fill out a PDF form on Windows has two free answers. The simplest is our free Fill PDF Form tool: open it in Edge or Chrome, choose the PDF, type into the boxes or add text anywhere, then click Save & Download PDF. It runs in your browser, so nothing is installed and your form stays on your PC. The built-in option is Microsoft Edge, which comes with Windows 10 and Windows 11 and can fill most forms that already have boxes to type in.

This guide covers only Windows. For other devices, see the main guide: how to fill out a PDF form.

Method 1: Fill PDF Form in Your Browser (Simplest)

This works in Edge, Chrome and Firefox on Windows. Your form is filled by your browser on your own PC. It is not sent to a server.

  1. Open rapidtools.online/fill-pdf-form. No account is needed.
  2. Drag your PDF into the box, or click the box and choose the file.
  3. If the form has boxes to fill in, the tool finds them. Click a box and type, tick the check boxes and pick from the lists.
  4. If the form is a flat PDF or a scan with no boxes, click + Add Text, click where the answer goes and type. You can choose black, blue, red or your own colour.
  5. Use Prev and Next to move between pages.
  6. Click Save & Download PDF. The filled form downloads with “-filled” added to the name.
Check before you send. When you save, the tool turns your answers into plain text on the page, so the boxes can no longer be changed. Keep your original file in case you need to fill it again.

Method 2: Microsoft Edge (Built In)

Microsoft Edge opens PDFs and can fill in forms that have boxes. The button names can look a little different in your version of Edge.

  1. Right-click the PDF in File Explorer and choose Open with > Microsoft Edge.
  2. Click a box and type your answer. In some versions of Edge, you click Edit in the toolbar first.
  3. For a form with no boxes, click Add text, click the page and type.
  4. Click Save, or Save as to keep a blank copy.

The limits: Microsoft says Edge supports basic form filling, but forms that use JavaScript are not supported, and older XFA forms do not work in Edge (Microsoft Learn: PDF reader in Microsoft Edge). If a form does not work in Edge, try the browser tool, or use the Add Text option to type on top of the page.

Which Method Should You Use?

Browser tool Microsoft Edge
InstallNoneNone (built in)
Forms with boxesYesYes, basic forms
Flat PDFs and scansYes, with + Add TextYes, with Add text
File leaves your PCNoNo

Need to sign the form too? See how to sign a PDF on Windows.

Free tool — your file never leaves your device
Fill Your PDF Form on Windows
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I fill out a PDF form on Windows for free?

Open rapidtools.online/fill-pdf-form in Edge or Chrome, choose the PDF, type into the boxes or use + Add Text to type anywhere, then click Save & Download PDF. You can also open the PDF in Microsoft Edge, click a box, type and save.

Can Microsoft Edge fill in PDF forms?

Yes, for basic forms that have boxes to type in. Microsoft says forms that use JavaScript are not supported and older XFA forms do not work in Edge. For those, try the browser tool.

How do I fill a PDF that has no boxes to type in?

Use + Add Text in our Fill PDF Form tool, or Add text in Microsoft Edge, and click where each answer goes. This works for flat PDFs and scanned forms.

Can I change my answers after I save?

In our tool, your answers become plain text when you save, so keep the original file and fill it again if you need to change something.

Is my form uploaded when I use the browser tool?

No. Your form is filled by your browser on your own PC and is never sent to a server.

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