SumatraPDF.exe

Sumatra PDF Reader

CPU Usage

N/A

Memory

N/A

Location

N/A

Publisher

N/A

Best Practices

Download only from official sources, scan with updated antivirus, and re-check digital signatures after download.

Trusted Sources

Official SumatraPDF project site (sumatrapdfreader.org) and the SourceForge page; verify the publisher as SumatraPDF Team.

Digital Signature

Right-click SumatraPDF.exe → Properties → Digital Signatures; ensure the signer is SumatraPDF Team and the certificate is valid.

Hash Verification

Compare the SHA256 hash of the downloaded SumatraPDF.exe with the hash published on the official download page.

What is SumatraPDF.exe?

SumatraPDF.exe is the Windows executable for the Sumatra PDF Reader, a small, open-source viewer designed to open PDFs, eBooks, XPS, and comic formats with minimal system impact. It emphasizes speed, portability, and a clean, distraction-free interface while running as a single lightweight process.

SumatraPDF.exe launches the lightweight Sumatra PDF Reader binary that renders pages, handles user input, and supports multiple document formats through a compact rendering engine. It relies on Windows GDI and the included libraries, avoiding a heavy framework.

Is it Safe?

Is it a Virus?

Why is it Running?

Reasons it's running:

Fast PDF viewing and lightweight design: SumatraPDF.exe provides a rapid, low-overhead PDF reader that starts quickly and uses minimal RAM compared to feature-rich editors.
Portable-friendly usage: The app supports portable usage, allowing you to carry the executable and settings on a USB drive or in a folder without an installer.
Multiple format support: Beyond PDF, SumatraPDF.exe can open XPS, ePub, CBZ, and CBR files, making it a simple all-in-one viewer without bundling heavy add-ons.
Low background footprint: When idle, SumatraPDF typically uses little CPU time, keeping system responsiveness intact during multitasking.
Non-intrusive user experience: The UI is minimalistic and tends to stay in the foreground only when a document is open, reducing background activity.

Can I Disable or Remove It?

Common Problems

Common Causes & Solutions

: Ensure you are using the latest SumatraPDF release from the official site; close additional documents; restart the app; consider using a simpler PDF or splitting large files for viewing.
: Delete or reset the settings file at %APPDATA%\SumatraPDF\SumatraPDF-settings.txt, reinstall the latest official build, and run the app from the official install location.
: Check printer availability and drivers; ensure the SumatraPDF window is active; update to the latest SumatraPDF, and try Print with a different printer if needed.
: Update SumatraPDF to the latest version; verify the PDF has embedded fonts; try another PDF to determine if the issue is document-specific.
: Reset configuration by deleting the SumatraPDF-settings.txt file in %APPDATA%\SumatraPDF and relaunch; consider using the portable version as an alternative.
: Reset viewer preferences by clearing the settings file and manually adjusting view options after first launch; ensure you are using a supported windowed environment.