Microsoft Edge offers built-in support for viewing PDF files that are classified and protected. Microsoft Edge can enable you to open protected PDF files without the need to install or configure any additional apps.
If you are attempting to view a protected file that is not a PDF (for example, it has a .pfile file name extension), you may want to use one of the Microsoft Purview Information Protection viewers. See View protected files with the Microsoft Purview Information Protection viewer for more information.
Requirements for using Microsoft Edge to protected PDFs:
Requirement
Description
Supported OS versions
Windows: Windows 11 and previous versions through Windows 8
Mac: macOS versions 10.12 and above
Supported sign-in credentials
Sign in to Edge with Work or school credentials.
Supported file types
Supported file types include PDF files
Alternatively, you can use one of the following PDF readers for Windows that adhere to the ISO standard for PDF encryption:
If you're unable to open your protected PDF using Edge, the document may be protected in an earlier format. For example, Microsoft SharePoint currently uses an older format for PDF documents in IRM-protected libraries.
The following PDF readers support both protected PDFs with a .ppdf extension, and older formats with a .pdf extension.
Supported PDF readers
Windows 11 and earlier through Windows 7 Service Pack
