Install and activate PDF-XChange Editor Plus

PDF-XChange Editor is made by PDF-XChange Co Ltd, not by Microsoft. Our catalogue lists the product as "Microsoft PDF-XChange Editor Plus", but the program, its download and its activation come from PDF-XChange. This guide shows how to install it and register the key from your order.

What you received

Your order confirmation email contains your licence key. The key is also in My Library. There is no installer in the order.

• PDF-XChange Editor Plus without a term is a perpetual licence.
• 12 months, 24 months and 36 months are subscriptions for the period in the name.
• PDF-XChange says that more than 70 % of the Editor's features need no licence. Licensed features used without an active key add a demo watermark to your documents.

Reseller keys can arrive as an activation code first. PDF-XChange explains that the code turns into a full-length serial key when you use it. Use the same email address that the code is registered to. If the email in your order shows a code of this kind, follow the instructions in that email for the first step and return here for activation.

Before you start

• PDF-XChange supports current Windows versions, including Windows 11.
• If Windows asks for administrator permission during the installation, approve the request or ask your administrator.
• PDF-XChange recommends activating over the internet. An offline method exists as well.

Get the software

1. Open the PDF-XChange Editor download page.
2. Download the installer for your Windows version (64-bit on most current PCs).
3. Save it in Downloads or another folder you will find again.

Install the program first, then add and activate your licence key. Lizensa supplies the key, not the software: your order email and My Library contain the key.

Install

1. Start the installer and select Yes when Windows asks whether the app may make changes.
2. Follow the instructions of the installer.
3. Finish the setup and start PDF-XChange Editor.

Activate

Add the key

1. In PDF-XChange Editor, open Help and select License Key.
2. The Preferences window opens. Select Add New License Key.
3. Copy the key from your email and select Paste Key from Clipboard.
4. Select Continue. The key is now added.

Activate the key

Keys for version 9 and later have to be activated to tie them to your PC. PDF-XChange shows a banner when a key is not yet active.

1. Select Activate License keys in the banner.
2. Choose Activate via Internet. This is the option PDF-XChange recommends.
3. Follow the instructions in the program.

PDF-XChange's servers check periodically that an activated device is still allowed to use the key.

PC without internet

1. Select Activate Manually (Offline) and follow the steps. The program creates a file named Activation.request. Save it to a USB drive.
2. On a PC with internet, sign in to your PDF-XChange account and select Offline Serial Key Activation. Upload the request file with Upload File.
3. Save the Activation.response file you get back, transfer it to the offline PC and load it as the offline dialog describes.

PDF-XChange's pages cover this in more detail: KB554 on licensing and KB379 on entering keys. PDF-XChange publishes both in English.

Check it worked

1. Use a feature that needs the licence.
2. The result should carry no demo watermark.

If something goes wrong

"Key Does Not Exist". The program does not recognise the key. Copy the full key from your PDF-XChange account page, as PDF-XChange advises, and paste it into the program. Compare it with the key in My Library.

"Activation Attempt Exceeds License Limit". The key has used all the activations it allows. Sign in to your PDF-XChange account, open the Activation List and deregister a PC you no longer use. Deregistering frees the place; blocking a device would stop it from registering again.

Documents show a demo watermark. A licensed feature ran without an active key. Activate the key as described above. If a deregistered or blocked device keeps using the key, documents get demo watermarks when you use licensed features.

Setup fails on Windows 7. PDF-XChange states that Microsoft ended its service packs for Windows 7 in October 2024 and that version 11 will almost certainly have substantial compatibility problems there. Use a PC with Windows 10 or 11.

The activation banner does not go away. Check that the PC is online, then follow the activation steps above. If the banner remains, contact PDF-XChange support.

Still stuck? Contact our support with your order number and the exact message. PDF-XChange support can be reached at support@pdf-xchange.com if the message is not listed in its knowledge base.