How can you easily convert a file (e.g. a jpg picture) to a pdf file with Windows 10

Sometime you should like to have some information in a pdf format, may be because this format is mandatory requested in a load form like the one I have found to delegate a CAF for my 730 model compilation: they require that a copy of an identification document to be uploaded in the pdf format.

The easiest way to provide a copy of my identity card is to take a picture of if with my smartphone … but how to easily convert then in a pdf file? I know that there are al lot of SW – even free – that can be downloaded ed installed for this purpose BUT now with Windows 10 (or Windows 8.1) there is no need of something more, no doPdf or whatever anymore: you can use the Microsoft Print to PDF function already embedded in the Operating System!!

Therefore, you can open the file (e.g. a .jpg one) with whatever program can do it (e.g. Photos app, if the file is a picture) and select the print function: in the list of printers, select Microsoft Print to PDF … and this will create a pdf file for you.

And if it is an Office document (e.g. Word or Power Point one) it is even easier: you can choose the Save As option and then Save as type PDF (*.pdf).

Simple, isn’t it?

PS: because Microsoft Print to PDF is a Windows feature (usually set as default), if you do not find among printer options, you have to enable it in Programs -> Programs and Features:

Microsoft Print to PDF feature enabled

Unfortunately the quality of the pdf is very high (600DPI) at least when you convert a jpg image: so the file size is not so low as expected by a “normal” pdf file … and I couldn’t find any way to decrease the quality even going into the printer properties.

Only a 600 DPI quality available

No options available to decrease the printer quality

Possible alternatives to Microsoft PDF, solution for having a pdf printer are, for example:

Foxit Reader
PDF-XChange Viewer
Adobe Reader
Bullzip PDF
PDF architect
NITRO PDF
PDF Creator

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Finally, sometimes the maximum size allowed for an attachment is too low to send all documents or to upload them, so if you want to split a pdf file in two smaller ones, you can use, for example, the Chrome print feature (e.g. see How to Split a PDF Document by Page Without Adobe Acrobat, Using Google Chrome).

Split a pdf file, considering only few pages (1)

Split a pdf file, considering only few pages (2)

On the contrary, if you need to merge more pdf files you can see, for example this link: How to Merge PDF Files

Vedi anche The best ways to print-to-PDF in Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7 .

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Questo post si aggiunge ad altri che sono specificatamente indirizzati a colleghi di TILAB e talvolta anche a tutta TIM in generale. 🙂

PS: puoi trovare gli altri post filtrando, nella combobox a desta, sulla categoria “Aziendali”. Alcuni sono protetti da password per cui se ti interessano puoi contattarmi tramite l’email aziendale o telefonicamente.