You're here because you have a file that has a file extension ending in .pdf. Files with the file extension .pdf can only be launched by certain applications. It's possible that .pdf files are data files rather than documents or media, which means they're not meant to be viewed at all.

PDF files are generally classified as data files, and these documents are commonly known as portable document format files. Developed by Adobe Systems, the PDF format was implemented in order to provide wider cross compatibility support for viewing and sharing content across widely used systems. The content of a .pdf document normally consists of text, visual elements like images, charts and tables, annotations, bibliographies, indices, footnotes and endnotes among others. Formatting attributes and page layout specifications can be integrated into the content of a PDF file by accessing the features of widely used PDF authoring and editing applications. The technology behind the PDF format allows the content of these PDF files, when viewed in a computer monitor, to look closely similar to its printed version. As of this writing, popular Web browsers have been implemented with support for viewing PDF documents through certain plugins, and the latest version of Google Chrome can be used to open and view the content of a .pdf file without installing any plugin.

Launch a .pdf file, or any other file on your PC, by double-clicking it. If your file associations are set up correctly, the application that's meant to open your .pdf file will open it. It's possible you may need to download or purchase the correct application. It's also possible that you have the correct application on your PC, but .pdf files aren't yet associated with it. In this case, when you try to open a .pdf file, you can tell Windows which application is the correct one for that file. From then on, opening a  .pdf file will open the correct application. Click here to fix .pdf file association errors

Be careful not to rename the extension on .pdf files, or any other files. This will not change the file type. Only special conversion software can change a file from one file type to another.

A file extension is the set of three or four characters at the end of a filename; in this case, .pdf. File extensions tell you what type of file it is, and tell Windows what programs can open it. Windows often associates a default program to each file extension, so that when you double-click the file, the program launches automatically. When that program is no longer on your PC, you can sometimes get an error when you try to open the associated file.