CutePDF Writer

Written by Barry Dysert (last updated August 21, 2017)

1

CutePDF Writer is an excellent little utility that remains unobtrusive but is ready to perform at a moment's notice. There are several utilities that create PDF files, but CutePDF Writer can create a PDF file from within any application that allows you to print. This means, for example, that you can create a PDF file from Notepad, Word, Excel, etc. The reason this utility is so versatile is because it installs as a "printer subsystem."

Whatever application you're in, when you want to create a PDF file from it, simply print your document to the CutePDF Writer "printer" and you'll quickly have a PDF file. For example, here is a screen shot of using CutePDF Writer as the printer for a Word 2010 document. (See Figure 1.)

Figure 1. Choosing CutePDF Writer as a printer.

Once you select the printer and click Print, you are presented with a Save As dialog box asking where the PDF file should be created. (See Figure 2.)

Figure 2. Specifying where to save the PDF file.

When you click Save, your PDF file is created as you've specified. It's really that easy!

To use CutePDF Writer, you'll also need to install a PS2PDF converter such as Ghostscript (which is also free). CutePDF Writer is a free download and can be retrieved here:

http://www.cutepdf.com/Products/CutePDF/writer.asp

Ghostscript is also a free download, available here:

http://www.cutepdf.com/download/converter.exe

 This tip (13067) applies to Windows 7, 8, and 10.

Author Bio

Barry Dysert

Barry has been a computer professional for over 35 years, working in different positions such as technical team leader, project manager, and software developer. He is currently a software engineer with an emphasis on developing custom applications under Microsoft Windows. When not working with Windows or writing Tips, Barry is an amateur writer. His first non-fiction book is titled "A Chronological Commentary of Revelation." ...

MORE FROM BARRY

Understanding Windows Firewall

There are a lot of malicious users on the Internet who are trying to break into other people's systems. One way to ...

Discover More

Turning On the Display of File Extensions

Windows is configured, by default, to hide file extensions. This could be confusing or outright dangerous. For example, ...

Discover More

Changing an Account's Picture

You may want to customize your account so that it uses a picture of your own choosing. This tip tells you how to change ...

Discover More
More WindowsTips

AutoRuns

Would you like to have one place to go in order to see what all programs are starting when your system starts or when you ...

Discover More

Understanding Process Monitor

A very useful tool in diagnosing what is going on with processes and/or files is the Process Monitor tool from ...

Discover More

Monitoring Data Usage

With Windows 10 you can easily see how your data is being used. Even if you are not on a metered data plan, it can be ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 4 + 1?

2017-08-21 16:34:36

Theodore J. Duke

In Windows 10, and possibly earlier versions, it is possible to select file type as the file is saved. That includes .pdf saves. However, I have found some flaws in the resulting .pdf files. Maybe this tip will prove useful.

Newest Tips
Links and Sharing
OUR COMPANY
OUR PRODUCTS
OUR SITES
 

Copyright © 2026 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.