# Foxit PDF Reader Application: Foxit Also called foxit reader, foxit pdf Foxit, Productivity Foxit's PDF reader. The process is FoxitPDFReader.exe. PhantomPDF / Foxit PDF Editor is the paid editor. It is not Adobe Reader. ## What you need to know Foxit Reader is FoxitPDFReader.exe. Adobe Reader is a different vendor. Foxit's free viewer is not Acrobat Reader. The paid Foxit editor used to be called PhantomPDF. Adobe's viewer uses AcroRd32.exe or a unified Acrobat.exe. - **What is it?**: PDF viewer **Still current?**: Yes, see Current status **Official download?**: Use the vendor link in this article Feex says If the process is FoxitPDFReader.exe, this is Foxit, not Adobe Reader. I would not repair AcroRd32.exe to fix this install. ## What is Foxit PDF Reader? Foxit PDF Reader is Foxit's free viewer. FoxitPDFReader.exe is the Windows process. Adobe Acrobat Reader is Adobe's viewer. Foxit's paid editor is a separate install. ## If you have never used it If you want a PDF reader that is not Adobe, this is Foxit PDF Reader, not Adobe Reader. Download it from foxit.com/pdf-reader. Foxit PDF Editor (PhantomPDF) is the paid sibling. AcroRd32.exe is Adobe. This process is FoxitPDFReader.exe. ## What is it used for? **Read and comment on PDFs** A lighter Adobe-alternative viewer. The process name is not AcroRd32.exe. **ConnectedPDF features Foxit markets** Optional Foxit cloud features. Adobe Document Cloud is a different account. **Upgrade path to Foxit PDF Editor** PhantomPDF was the old name. That paid app is not this Reader exe. ## Who is it for? - People who refuse Adobe Reader - Offices that standardized on Foxit - Anyone who should not install PhantomPDF when they only needed the reader ## Current status Actively developed. This article is the free Windows Reader, not Foxit PDF Editor. ## How old is it? Foxit Reader launched in the mid-2000s as a faster Adobe alternative. PhantomPDF was the paid editor name. Foxit now says PDF Editor. Adobe Reader is a different vendor from 1993. ## Versions Major channels first. Exact build numbers are not all verified here. Foxit PDF Reader Foxit PDF Editor (PhantomPDF) ## System requirements Values follow the publisher's public guidance. Workload still changes the real need. ### Minimum | Operating system | A current supported Windows 10 or Windows 11 release, per the vendor | | ---------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------- | | RAM | Enough for Windows plus this app. Heavy projects want more. | ## Resource profile - **CPU demand**: Follows what you open inside the app **RAM demand**: Follows documents, tabs, or libraries ## Installed processes These executables belong to this product when it is installed. | FoxitPDFReader.exe | Free Foxit Reader | | ------------------ | ----------------- | ## Startup components Foxit Reader starts when you open a PDF if it is the default. It should not replace Adobe as a Windows component. ## File locations | Typical install | C:\Program Files (x86)\Foxit Software\Foxit PDF Reader\FoxitPDFReader.exe | | --------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ## File formats PDF ## Common problems ### Optional extra offers in the installer Uncheck bundles. Adobe's Reader page has the same class of problem. Read the Foxit setup screens. ### People wanted the editor and installed only Reader Foxit PDF Editor is a different download. This exe will not grow Pro tools by repair. ## Getting unstuck ### Open file location on FoxitPDFReader.exe Foxit Software is this vendor. Adobe\Acrobat Reader is the sibling people swap. ### Install from foxit.com/pdf-reader A "Foxit free PDF" search ad is a common junk path. ### If you needed PhantomPDF-style editing, get Foxit PDF Editor That is a different product page, not a hidden switch inside Reader. ## Alternatives Adobe Acrobat Reader, Sumatra PDF, and Foxit PDF Editor overlap. Adobe Reader is the sibling this article is not. ## Official help and downloads Start with the vendor. Random exe sites are not a support channel. | Download | [www.foxit.com/pdf-reader/ ](https://www.foxit.com/pdf-reader/)Official installer or vendor page | | ------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | Help | [www.foxit.com/support/ ](https://www.foxit.com/support/)Vendor support | | Official site | [www.foxit.com/pdf-reader/ ](https://www.foxit.com/pdf-reader/)Start here, not a random exe host | ## Related hardware A typical PDF viewer. Huge scans want RAM. ## Technical details Technical details Vendor version numbers change. This article does not pin a build. ## Related These entities connect to this article. Type is shown on every link. [Adobe Acrobat Reader: Application](https://feex.it/wiki/software/adobe-acrobat-reader)[How to read Task Manager: Guide](https://feex.it/wiki/software/system/how-to-read-task-manager) ## Sources and verification Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. [How we research](https://feex.it/wiki/research). - [Foxit PDF Reader official site ](https://www.foxit.com/pdf-reader/)· Vendor product page - [Foxit PDF Reader help ](https://www.foxit.com/support/)· Vendor support - [Foxit PDF Editor ](https://www.foxit.com/pdf-editor/)· Paid editor, formerly PhantomPDF - [Foxhole process map ](https://foxhole.feex.it/)· First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark. ## Was this article useful? A yes or no is enough. Pick a reason if you want, or add a short note. Quick facts The short identity of this page. Specs, sources, and the full story stay in the article. - **Developer**: Foxit **Category**: PDF viewer **Process**: FoxitPDFReader.exe **License**: Free Reader. Foxit PDF Editor (formerly PhantomPDF) is paid **First released**: 2004 **Official site**: [foxit.com/pdf-reader](https://www.foxit.com/pdf-reader/) **Mapped by Feex**: Seen on Windows PCs in Foxhole Feex Reviewed: Last verified August 2026 --- Source: [Canonical Feex Wiki page](https://feex.it/wiki/software/foxit-pdf/) [Developer guide](https://feex.it/wiki/developers/) | [API policy](https://feex.it/developers/api-policy/) | [Agent guidance](https://feex.it/wiki/llms.txt)