# PDFCreator

> open-source software

**Wikidata**: [Q1143775](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1143775)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PDFCreator)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/pdfcreator

## Summary
PDFCreator is an open-source virtual printer software for Microsoft Windows that converts documents and images into PDF files. Released in 2004, it is licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL) and is widely used for its ability to create PDFs from various file formats, including TIFF, plain text, PNG, and JPEG.

## Key Facts
- **Open-source software**: PDFCreator is free to use and redistribute under a permissive license that allows libre access to its source code.
- **Virtual printer**: It functions as a simulated printer driver to generate PDF files from applications.
- **Licensed under GNU GPL**: The software is distributed under the GNU General Public License, version 3.0, with copyleft provisions.
- **Operating system**: PDFCreator runs on Microsoft Windows, first released in 1985.
- **Inception**: PDFCreator was first developed in 2004.
- **Latest stable version**: 5.3.3 (released on 2025-02-06).
- **File formats**: Supports reading TIFF, plain text, PNG, JPEG and writing PDF, PDF/A, JPEG, and PNG.
- **Website**: Official site is [https://www.pdfforge.org/pdfcreator](https://www.pdfforge.org/pdfcreator) (English).
- **Source code**: Available on GitHub at [https://github.com/pdfforge/PDFCreator](https://github.com/pdfforge/PDFCreator).
- **Aliases**: Also known as "PDF Creator."
- **Collections**: Listed in the Social Sciences and Humanities Open Marketplace and the Text Analysis Portal for Research.
- **Official forum**: [https://forums.pdfforge.org/](https://forums.pdfforge.org/).
- **Package managers**: Available via Chocolatey and Windows Package Manager.
- **Wikipedia presence**: Available in 20 languages, including English, German, and Spanish.

## FAQs
**What is PDFCreator?**
PDFCreator is an open-source virtual printer for Windows that converts documents and images into PDF files. It is licensed under the GNU GPL and supports multiple input formats, including TIFF, plain text, and JPEG.

**What operating system does PDFCreator run on?**
PDFCreator is designed exclusively for Microsoft Windows, which was first released in 1985.

**What file formats can PDFCreator read and write?**
PDFCreator can read TIFF, plain text, PNG, and JPEG files, and it can write PDF, PDF/A, JPEG, and PNG files.

**Is PDFCreator free to use?**
Yes, PDFCreator is open-source software distributed under the GNU General Public License, making it free to use and redistribute.

**Where can I download PDFCreator?**
The latest versions of PDFCreator are available for download from the official website, GitHub, and package managers like Chocolatey and Windows Package Manager.

**What is the latest stable version of PDFCreator?**
The latest stable version is 5.3.3, released on February 6, 2025.

**How do I get support for PDFCreator?**
Users can seek support through the official forum at [https://forums.pdfforge.org/](https://forums.pdfforge.org/).

## Why It Matters
PDFCreator plays a crucial role in the open-source software ecosystem by providing a free and accessible tool for converting documents into PDFs. Its virtual printer functionality allows users to generate PDFs directly from applications without needing additional software. The software's adherence to the GNU GPL ensures that it remains freely available and modifiable, making it a valuable resource for individuals and organizations. PDFCreator's inclusion in academic and research collections highlights its utility in fields such as social sciences and humanities, where document conversion is essential for data analysis and preservation.

## Notable For
- **Open-source virtual printer**: PDFCreator is one of the few open-source virtual printers available for Windows.
- **Multi-format support**: It supports a wide range of input and output formats, including PDF, PDF/A, JPEG, and PNG.
- **GNU GPL licensing**: The software is distributed under the GNU GPL, version 3.0, ensuring its continued availability and modification.
- **Academic and research use**: PDFCreator is listed in the Social Sciences and Humanities Open Marketplace and the Text Analysis Portal for Research, indicating its relevance to scholarly work.
- **Cross-platform availability**: While primarily for Windows, PDFCreator is also available via package managers like Chocolatey and Windows Package Manager, extending its reach.

## Body
### Overview
PDFCreator is an open-source virtual printer for Microsoft Windows that converts documents and images into PDF files. It was first developed in 2004 and is licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL), version 3.0. The software is known for its ability to create PDFs from various file formats, including TIFF, plain text, PNG, and JPEG, and it supports writing to PDF, PDF/A, JPEG, and PNG. PDFCreator is widely used for its simplicity and effectiveness in generating PDFs directly from applications.

### History
PDFCreator was first released in 2004, with its initial version available on SourceForge. Over the years, it has undergone multiple updates, with the latest stable version being 5.3.3, released on February 6, 2025. The software has been continuously developed and improved, with new features and bug fixes introduced in each release.

### Licensing and Distribution
PDFCreator is distributed under the GNU General Public License (GPL), version 3.0, which ensures that the software remains free and open-source. The GPL allows users to freely use, modify, and redistribute the software, provided that any derivative works are also released under the same license. This licensing model has contributed to the software's widespread adoption and community support.

### Technical Specifications
PDFCreator functions as a virtual printer, meaning it simulates a physical printer to generate PDF files. It supports a variety of input formats, including TIFF, plain text, PNG, and JPEG, and can output to PDF, PDF/A, JPEG, and PNG. The software is designed to be lightweight and efficient, making it suitable for users who need to convert documents into PDFs quickly and easily.

### Availability and Accessibility
PDFCreator is available for download from the official website, GitHub, and package managers like Chocolatey and Windows Package Manager. The software is also listed in the Social Sciences and Humanities Open Marketplace and the Text Analysis Portal for Research, indicating its relevance to academic and research communities. Users can seek support through the official forum, where they can ask questions and receive assistance from the community.

### Community and Support
PDFCreator has a dedicated community of users and developers who contribute to its ongoing development and improvement. The official forum provides a platform for users to seek support, share feedback, and engage with the development team. The software's open-source nature encourages collaboration and innovation, ensuring that it remains a valuable tool for users worldwide.

### Related Projects and Ecosystem
PDFCreator is part of a broader ecosystem of open-source tools and resources for document conversion and management. Its inclusion in academic and research collections highlights its utility in fields such as social sciences and humanities, where document conversion is essential for data analysis and preservation. The software's compatibility with Windows and its availability via package managers extends its reach and accessibility.

## References

1. [Source](https://marketplace.sshopencloud.eu/tool-or-service/P928Fj)
2. [Source](https://tapor.ca/tools/1278)
3. [Source](http://www.pdfforge.org/content/license)
4. [SourceForge](https://sourceforge.net/projects/pdfcreator/)
5. [Source](http://www.pdfforge.org/blog/pdfcreator-212)
6. [Source](http://www.pdfforge.org/blog/pdfcreator-220-released)
7. [Source](http://www.pdfforge.org/blog/pdfcreator-253-released)
8. [Source](http://www.pdfforge.org/blog/pdfcreator-250-release)
9. [Source](http://www.pdfforge.org/blog/pdfcreator-310-release)
10. [Source](http://www.pdfforge.org/blog/pdfcreator-320-out-now)
11. [Source](https://www.pdfforge.org/de/blog/pdfcreator-341-release)
12. [Source](https://download.pdfforge.org/download/pdfcreator/list)
13. [PDFCreator 5.0.3 2022-12-08. 2022](https://download.pdfforge.org/download/pdfcreator/list)
14. [Source](https://www.pdfforge.org/blog/pdfcreator-5-0-is-out)
15. [Source](https://www.pdfforge.org/blog/pdfcreator-5-0-1-maintenance-release)
16. [Source](https://www.pdfforge.org/blog/pdfcreator-5-0-2-maintenance-release)
17. [Source](https://www.pdfforge.org/blog/pdfcreator-51-release)
18. [Source](https://www.pdfforge.org/blog/pdf-creator-5-1-1-maintenance-release)
19. [PDFCreator 5.1.2 out - Blog - pdfforge](https://www.pdfforge.org/blog/pdfcreator-5-1-2-is-out)
20. [Source](https://sourceforge.net/projects/pdfcreator/files/PDFCreator/PDFCreator%200.8/)
21. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
22. Quora