Any safe free software to convert Word to PDF?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding safe and free software options to convert Word documents to PDF format. Participants share their experiences with various tools, express concerns about malware, and explore different methods for achieving the conversion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest using PrimoPDF, noting it adds a PDF writer option in the printer selection but mentioning occasional false errors.
  • Others recommend PDF995 and CutePDF as alternatives, highlighting their functionality as PDF printer drivers.
  • One participant points out that Microsoft Word has a built-in option to save documents as PDF, although this feature is not available in older versions like Word 2003.
  • OpenOffice is mentioned as a free alternative that includes an "export as PDF" option.
  • Another suggestion is the 123pdf converter, which is described as free software for converting Word documents to PDF.
  • Participants mention Bullzip and PDF Creator as additional options, with PDF Creator noted for its open-source nature and ability to combine documents.
  • LibreOffice is highlighted for its capability to save PDFs and create editable PDF forms.
  • One participant describes a method involving a PostScript printer and external services to convert files, indicating it may require some technical adjustments.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a variety of opinions on the best software options, with no clear consensus on a single preferred tool. There is also disagreement regarding the availability of PDF saving options in different versions of Microsoft Word.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention concerns about malware associated with certain software installations. Additionally, there are references to specific version limitations of Microsoft Word and the need for potential configuration changes in printer settings for certain tools.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for individuals seeking free software solutions for converting Word documents to PDF, particularly those concerned about security and malware risks.

yungman
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Any suggestion on a free program to convert Word to PDF. I was playing around and I got malware that I am still trying to clean up.

Thanks
 
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I have had mostly good luck with PrimoPDF. It's freeware that puts a PDF writer as an option in your Printer selection list when you go to print from Word (or other programs). Sometimes it throws false errors, but still makes the PDF file just fine. I haven't updated my installs for a while, so maybe they've fixed that weird behavior.
 
berkeman said:
I have had mostly good luck with PrimoPDF. It's freeware that puts a PDF writer as an option in your Printer selection list when you go to print from Word (or other programs). Sometimes it throws false errors, but still makes the PDF file just fine. I haven't updated my installs for a while, so maybe they've fixed that weird behavior.

Thanks

I downloaded and installed. I do not see the new printer. But it installed the MailWasher Pro! What is that?
 
yungman said:
Any suggestion on a free program to convert Word to PDF. I was playing around and I got malware that I am still trying to clean up.

Thanks

http://www.pdf995.com/

If you want more options search for PDF Printer Driver.
 
yungman said:
Any suggestion on a free program to convert Word to PDF. I was playing around and I got malware that I am still trying to clean up.

Thanks

CutePDF http://cutepdf.com/ Basically you end up "printing" to a pdf file
 
You do realize that if you have Microsoft Word, one of the save options is PDF, yes?
 
phinds said:
You do realize that if you have Microsoft Word, one of the save options is PDF, yes?

Oh cool! I didn't know that was in there. I checked, and my current Word version does indeed have that feature. I'll give it a try. Thanks phinds!
 
I have the 2003 Office Suit. I don't see that option.

I got the PrimoPDF running, it's all good.

thanks
 
phinds said:
You do realize that if you have Microsoft Word, one of the save options is PDF, yes?

This is only available in 2007 and 2010 only. It was never implemented in 2003 although MS may have a tool for it that you can download.
 
  • #10
OpenOffice, which is basically a free version of Microsoft Office, and includes versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, has an "export as pdf" option. It is available here.
 
  • #11
Install the 123pdf converter. With this software you can covert your word documents to pdf. It is a free software to download.
 
  • #12
  • #13
Hasn't been mentioned, but PDF Creator is free (donation ware) and open-source:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/pdfcreator/

It installs a printer driver (just like Acrobat), and allows you to combine several documents together (print them in succession, wait, and then combine). There are several programs called "PDF Creator"--you have to get the one that's on Sourceforge. The one caveat is that it prints to A4 by default, but you just have to go into the printer configuration and change it to US Letter (assuming that you're in the US / Canada). The other caveat is to disable installation of the Yahoo toolbar (can't fault them for that--gotta defray *some* of the bills...)
 
  • #14
  • #15
Not to mention the fact you can prepare pdfs without installing anything. First, add a postcript printer (I don't consider it to be an "installation", you have these drivers on the disk as part of Windows, they are just not used). Second, print to a file. Third, use some external service to convert ps to pdf.

It usually requires some tinkering with the printer version, last time I tried it was some Linotronic that gave good results.
 

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