How to Combine PDF Files in Windows 10

Merging multiple PDF documents into a single document has many advantages. It can make it simple to find exactly what you need. It can improve productivity, efficiency, make it easier to work with multiple documents, and collaborate with others. 

On Windows, you’ll need a PDF application that lets you combine documents. There are free, online applications, but be warned that they often have limitations, quality issues, and potential security risks depending on sensitive information contained within your documents. It’s unknown what these online applications do with your data and information afterwards, since they often store their data on the cloud.

That being said, we’ll show you the best ways to combine PDF files in Windows 10, easily and safely. 

How to Open Multiple PDF files at Once Windows 10

If you’re working with multiple documents, or want to view the documents before you combine them, you can save time by opening all the PDFs at the same time

There are actually two ways to do this. 

Method 1

Note: your PDF files must be in the same folder to use this method. 

1. Press and hold the ctrl key.
2. With your mouse, left-click on all the PDF files you want to open.
3. Right-click any one of the highlighted PDF files. 
4. Select Open. 

Method 2

1. Open PDF Writer.
2. Press the Create tab.
3. Press Create from file.
4. Press + or Add files. 
5. Find and select one of your PDFs. Repeat steps 4-5 for all your PDF files.
6. Press Create, to combine PDFs.

How to Combine PDF Files Windows 10 (with PDF Writer)

This is the easiest way to combine PDF files. PDF Writer offers a simple yet powerful pdf merger, and is more affordable than Adobe Acrobat Pro DC’s expensive yearly cost of US$179.95. PDF Writer is a lifetime license – that means no paying a subscription; pay once and it’s yours forever. 

1. Open PDF Writer.
2. Press Create tab.
3. Press Merge files.
4. Press + or Add files.
5. Find and select one of the PDF files. Repeat steps 4-5 for all the PDF files.
6. Press Create.

How to Merge Files in Adobe Acrobat Pro DC

Adobe Acrobat Pro DC can combine PDF files, but the annual subscription (of US$179.95) is expensive, and the amount of features can make it complicated to use the program quickly. 

1. Open Acrobat DC.
2. Press File.
3. Press Create.
4. Press Combine Multiple Files into a single PDF.
5. Click Add Files or Add Open Files.
6. Click Combine. 

How to Combine PNG Files into One PDF

If you have multiple images, it can be useful to combine them into a single PDF document. PDF Writer lets you combine images (PNG & JPG) with ease.

1. Open PDF Writer
2. Press Create tab.
3. Press Create from file.
4. Press + or Add files. 
5. Find and select one of the images. Repeat steps 4-5 for all images.
6. Press Create.

How to Combine Scanned Documents into One PDF

If you’ve already scanned documents, or have received scanned documents from someone else, you can combine them all into one PDF.

1. Open PDF Writer.
2. Press Create tab.
3. Press Create from file.
4. Press + or Add files. 
5. Find and select one of the scanned documents. Repeat steps 4-5 for all scanned documents. 
6. Press Create. 

How to Combine PDFs with Different Sizes

PDF Writer can combine multiple documents, regardless of their dimensions or sizes. This is useful when combining documents or images that have been cropped differently.

1. Open PDF Writer.
2. Press the Create tab.
3. Press Create from file.
4. Press + or Add files. 
5. Find and select one of the PDFs. Repeat steps 4-5 for all PDFs.
6. Press Create.

How to Merge Secured PDF Files

You can merge secured PDF files with PDF Writer. If there are restrictions or passwords set on a document, you’ll need to unlock the document (with the password) before being able to merge.

How to Merge Protected PDF Files

To merge PDF files that have been protected with a password, you will need the password to unlock the PDFs before you’re allowed to merge. 

1. Open PDF Writer.
2. Press the Create tab.
3. Press Create from file.
4. Press + or Add files. 
5. Find and select one of the PDFs. Enter password (if any). Repeat steps 4-5 for all PDFs.
6. Press Create.

How to Merge Signed PDF Files

1. Open PDF Writer.
2. Press the Create tab.
3. Press Create from file.
4. Press + or Add files. 
5. Find and select one of the PDFs. Repeat steps 4-5 for all the PDFs.
6. Press Create.

How to Combine PDF Files without Acrobat

There are several free online PDF tools that let you merge PDFs, but these often come with restrictions or limitations. You never know what they’ll do with your data (or documents) after using their services, and often store your data and information in a cloud (which creates different security risks). 

We’ll show you a safer alternative to combine PDF files without Acrobat, using Microsoft Word.

Please note: formatting and spacing issues are common when using this method. 

How to Combine PDF Files with Microsoft Word

Please note: you’ll need access to Microsoft Word to use this method. Text-based PDFs work best with this method (rather than images or pictures).

1. Open Microsoft Word. 
2. Press Open. 
3. Press Browse. 
4. Find & select the PDF you want at the beginning of your merged document.
5. Press Open. 
6. Press Ok. 
7. Click the Insert tab. 
8. Press the down caret next to the Object button. 
9. Select Text from File…
10. Find & select the next PDF you’d like to merge. (This PDF will show up second, in your newly combined PDF document). 
11. Press Insert. 
12. Press Ok Repeat steps 8-12 for all PDFs you want to combine.
13. Once all PDFs are inserted, press File.
14. Press Export.
15. Press Create PDF/XPS. 
16. Name your new PDF file, then press Publish.

The Best Way to Combine PDFs in Windows 10 – PDF Writer

Adobe Acrobat Pro DC lets you combine PDFs, but the expensive yearly subscription (of US$179.95) can be too high for some to afford. And Adobe often has many features that over complicate simple tasks like combining PDFs. 

Fortunately, PDF Writer makes combining PDFs simple. It’s affordable, powerful, and has everything you need to combine PDFs quickly and easily. It makes it a breeze to work with PDFs, and features other tools to increase productivity, and improve collaboration and efficiency when working with PDFs. Below are some of the features that make PDF Writer so awesome:

Features of the program:

• Combine & merge documents quickly and easily.
• Write, type, and draw directly on PDF.
• Add shapes to PDFs (lines, arrows, circles, and more).
• PDF annotation tools. 
• Rotate PDFs.
• Convert any Office file (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) into PDF. 
• Crop, & zoom in or out of pages
• Measurement tools (ruler, grid, etc.)
• Attach files to PDF. 
• Highlight, strikeout, underline text. 
• Flatten PDF documents. 
• Optimize PDF documents to reduce their file size. 
• Sign documents & add signatures directly on PDFs.
• Password-protect PDFs.
• Lifetime license - No subscription!

Try PDF Writer for Free or Buy Today! 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you combine PDF files in Adobe Reader?

Yes, but not for free. If you pay for a subscription for Adobe Reader, you can combine PDFs in Adobe Reader by clicking: Tools > Combine Files > Add Files > Combine Files again.

Can you combine images into a PDF?

Absolutely. You’ll need a PDF program that can convert and combine documents into PDF. To combine images into PDF in PDF Writer: Create tab > Create from file > Add files > Select one of the images > Create (once you’ve added all images).

Can I merge PDF files without Adobe Acrobat?

Yes you can. There are several ways to do so, but the easiest and safest way is by using PDF Writer.

Can you combine scanned documents?

Yes. There are several ways. The easiest way is by using a PDF program like PDF Writer. 

How do I combine scanned documents into one document?

In PDF Writer, press: Create tab > Create from file > Add files > Create (once all documents have been added).

How do I combine PDF files in Windows 10?

There are several methods, but the safest and most reliable way is by using a PDF program like PDF Writer. In PDF Writer, press: Create tab > Create from file > Add files > Create (once all documents have been added).