How to Draw on a PDF on Windows for Free

The ability to draw directly on a PDF is essential when you need to sign a form, sketch a diagram, or leave visual feedback. Yet many Windows users rely only on Edge or Adobe, unaware that simpler, free tools like PDFgear offer greater control and ease of use. This guide compares every reliable method to help you choose the best way to draw on your PDFs.

How to Draw on a PDF on Windows with Free PDFgear

PDFgear has emerged as a reputable and authoritative player in the PDF editing space. It’s currently the best free PDF drawing editor available for Windows PC and laptops, offering professional-grade annotation, drawing, and editing tools without subscriptions, accounts, or watermarks.

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Steps to Draw on a PDF with PDFgear Windows App:

1. Download and install PDFgear. Then open PDFgear on your Windows PC.

2. Click Open file to open your PDF.

3. Go to the Comment tab.

4. Select Ink, Line, Rectangle, or Oval.

5. Adjust the stroke color, thickness, and fill color (for shapes), then draw with your mouse or stylus.

6. Click Save to save your annotated PDF.

For more detailed instructions on PDFgear’s PDF drawing features, check our other guide on how to create various annotations with PDFgear.

If you prefer not to install software or simply need to make a quick edit on a shared or temporary device, PDFgear also provides a free online PDF editor with similar drawing capabilities.

How to Draw on a PDF Online for Free with PDFgear

PDFgear online PDF editor is a browser-based tool that requires no installation or login, making it perfect for quick edits or when using a shared or temporary device. It works across Windows, macOS, iPhone, and Android, so it’s ideal for cross-device workflows and casual annotations.

Steps to Draw on a PDF Online with PDFgear:

1. Visit the PDFgear Online PDF Editor.

2. Click Select PDF File to upload your PDF.

3. Select Draw Ink or Add Shapes from the top toolbar.

4. Change stroke color, thickness, and opacity if needed.

5. Add freehand drawing or shapes using your mouse, stylus, or touchscreen.

6. Click the top-right Download file button to get the updated PDF.

How to Draw on a PDF on Windows Using Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge is a pre-installed PDF viewer in Windows 10 and 11. It offers simple pen and highlighter tools and is perfect for users who want to open a PDF and start annotating instantly, with zero setup.

How to Draw on a PDF in Edge:

Click the Draw (pen) or Highlight icon on the top toolbar > adjust color and thickness > draw or write on your PDF.

Edge is only good for basic freehand sketches and simple notes, such as signing a form, writing a short note, or highlighting text. There are no shape tools, no fill or border options, and no advanced customization. If you need precision or professional-quality annotation, PDFgear is the immediate upgrade.

How to Draw on a PDF on Windows Using OneNote

Microsoft OneNote is free and comes pre-installed on most modern Windows 10 and 11 systems. If it isn’t already installed, users can easily download it for free from the Microsoft Store. OneNote works seamlessly with Windows Ink, the Surface Pen, or any stylus, making it a convenient option for those who prefer handwriting or drawing directly on their documents.

How to Draw on a PDF in OneNote:

Go to Insert to insert your PDF as a File Printout > Go to the Draw tab > select pen or highlighter > write or draw freely with stylus, touchscreen, or mouse.

OneNote allows users to insert a PDF as a “printout” and annotate directly over it, and it also makes handwritten text searchable, which is a valuable feature for workflows that rely heavily on notes. However, exporting annotated PDFs can occasionally result in layout shifts or margin issues, which makes OneNote less suitable for creating polished, final documents.

Moreover, keep in mind that you’ll need to manually export your annotated note as a PDF if you don’t want it saved in OneNote’s default .one format.

How to Draw on a PDF on Windows Using Acrobat Reader

Adobe Acrobat Reader is a well-known PDF viewer that offers basic drawing options, making it a good choice for users who are already familiar with Adobe tools and only require occasional or simple annotations.

How to Draw in Acrobat Reader:

Click on the Draw freehand button on the Quick action toolbar > select your preferred shape like Line, Rectangle, or other shapes from the dropdown > change color and thickness below > sketch on your PDF page.

However, Acrobat Reader does have some limitations. It requires installation and account login to use, and many PDF editing features are restricted to the paid Acrobat Pro version. The free version lacks advanced shape controls, there’s no eraser tool, and the heavy interface can slow down performance on older computers. Additionally, frequent “Upgrade to Pro” prompts can be frustrating for users looking for a completely free solution.

For users who need advanced features without a subscription, PDFgear offers a more flexible and comprehensive solution.

Conclusion: Choose the Right Tool for Your Workflow

Each method suits a different need: Microsoft Edge is quick for simple notes, OneNote works well for stylus handwriting, and Adobe Reader remains familiar but limited.

PDFgear stands out by combining the strengths of all these tools without their drawbacks. It offers freehand drawing, precise shapes, customization options, and offline access, all completely free and without sign-ins or watermarks. For Windows users who want a reliable, full-featured solution, PDFgear is the best choice.

Try PDFgear desktop app or PDFgear’s Online Editor. They are free, simple, and built to fit the way you work.

FAQs

How to write on a PDF on Windows?

Writing on a PDF in Windows is easiest with a dedicated editor like PDFgear, which lets you add text boxes anywhere on the page, adjust fonts, and format your writing without restrictions.

Is there a completely free PDF editor for drawing on Windows?

Yes. PDFgear for Windows is completely free and does not require a subscription or login. Unlike many other tools, it does not hide shape tools, export options, or advanced drawing features behind a paywall. Other editors, such as Adobe Reader or various third-party apps, often offer only basic features for free, which makes PDFgear one of the most practical and cost-effective solutions.

Why can’t I draw on my PDF in Microsoft Edge?

Some PDFs are protected or read-only, which prevents editing or annotating. When Edge detects these restrictions, it blocks drawing tools to protect the document. To add annotations, you’ll need to remove the editing restrictions or use a version of the PDF that allows modifications.

How do I draw straight lines or shapes on a PDF on Windows?

Straight lines and geometric shapes are not available in Microsoft Edge. If you need clean lines, rectangles, circles, or other shapes, PDFgear is the most straightforward solution. It also offers the same shaping tools in its web editor for users who prefer working online.

Why are my drawings not saving in Adobe Reader?

When drawings fail to save in Adobe Reader, it is often because the PDF has editing restrictions enabled by the author. You may need to enable commenting permissions or check whether the file is password-protected. If you want to avoid permission-related issues altogether, PDFgear allows you to draw and save freely without any account requirements or upgrade prompts.

Why does my PDF shift or lose quality after exporting from OneNote?

OneNote treats PDFs as inserted printouts, which means that exporting them again can sometimes result in margin changes, slight resizing, or layout shifts. This can be inconvenient when working with forms or documents that require exact formatting. If you need consistent preservation of layout, PDFgear provides more stable export results.

Why is the drawing color or thickness not changing in my editor?

In many built-in tools, such as Microsoft Edge or OneNote, color and thickness settings need to be selected before you begin drawing. Changing them afterward will not update the strokes you have already made. PDFgear makes it easier to adjust properties such as color, opacity, and border thickness before and after drawing.