How to print to PDF on Windows 10

Windows 10 introduced a new feature not long ago that allows you to "print" your files straight to PDF. However, don't confuse this with "Save as PDF," which is probably the most popular thing to do. The two are significantly different.

Saving your file as a PDF changes your document to a different format. When you print it—you will notice that the metadata, such as the links and the bookmarks, are not translated onto the printed paper. "Printing" to PDF allows you to translate this document into a PDF—metadata and everything—without using physical paper.

Here's how to use this feature on Windows 10 in two ways.

Clicking on the File Itself

This is probably the fastest and cleanest method to turn any of your documents into a Print to PDF format. To do this:

1. Go to Libraries on your PC or desktop device, then to Documents or Pictures, depending on where the file you will be converting is saved.
2. Once you find the file you're looking for, right-click on it and choose "Print."
3. The printing settings/ preview will pop up. Go to the Printer, scroll down, and choose the "Print as PDF" option.
4. Click Print. You will immediately see a small window that asks you to name your Print to PDF file. Name it and click Save.

Using Printer Settings

To use this method instead, open the file you want to print in a word processor. From there, go to file> Print. The same print settings/ preview will open up as mentioned in the first method. Keep in mind that this feature can be used in any word processor; that's the beauty of it. You don't need to open up Word or have a text file; it could be an image, a brochure, or just about anything you want to be converted to the Print to PDF format.

Go to Printer, scroll down, and click the "Print as PDF" option.

Now click Print. A menu should appear that asks you to name the file. Name it whatever you like and click Save. And that's it!

This feature in Windows 10 is significant because it's unique and super easy to use. This was not possible in earlier Windows systems. You can find the "Save to PDF" or even the "Print as PDF" feature in other programs; Windows is not limited to one program because you can use this feature from any program on your device that will print for you.

How to Enable the Print to PDF Feature

If you can't find this feature under Printer settings, don't worry! Here's how you can enable it on your Windows.

1. Use the "Programs and Features" tab: This tab can be found in the Control Panel. From there, select "Turn Windows features on or off." Choose the "Microsoft Print to PDF" feature. Click the "OK" button and quit. Restart if the feature doesn't show up automatically.
2. Use the Devices tab: In settings, go to Devices > Printers and Scanners > Microsoft Print to PDF. Follow the instructions that follow.

There you go! It's just as easy to download as it is to use. You can always use traditional PDFs if that's your thing, but you'll need another program to annotate or interact with the metadata. This feature saves you that extra work.