View protected PDFs using Microsoft Edge on Windows or Mac
Microsoft Edge offers built-in support for viewing PDF files that are classified and protected. Microsoft Edge can enable you to open protected PDF files without the need to install or configure any additional apps.
If you are attempting to view a protected file that is not a PDF (for example, it has a .pfile file name extension), you may want to use one of the Microsoft Purview Information Protection viewers. See View protected files with the Microsoft Purview Information Protection viewer for more information.
Requirements for using Microsoft Edge to protected PDFs:
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Supported OS versions | Windows: Windows 11 and previous versions through Windows 8 Mac: macOS versions 10.12 and above |
| Supported sign-in credentials | Sign in to Edge with Work or school credentials. |
| Supported file types | Supported file types include PDF files |
- Check which version of Microsoft Edge is installed on your system (Click the Settings and more option, which appears as ellipses
👁 Ellipses icon
in the upper right of the browser window, and then click Settings > About Microsoft Edge. - If the Microsoft Edge version is 83.0.478.37 or above, you can open protected files directly in the Edge browser.
- To open PDF files, click Open > Open in browser. The PDF file will open up in Edge.
Alternatively, you can use one of the following PDF readers for Windows that adhere to the ISO standard for PDF encryption:
Support for previous PDF formats
If you're unable to open your protected PDF using Edge, the document may be protected in an earlier format. For example, Microsoft SharePoint currently uses an older format for PDF documents in IRM-protected libraries.
The following PDF readers support both protected PDFs with a .ppdf extension, and older formats with a .pdf extension.
| OS | Supported PDF readers |
|---|---|
| Windows 11 and earlier through Windows 7 Service Pack |
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| Android |
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| iOS |
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