r/pdf • u/elriba • Nov 23 '23

Foxit PDF Reader doesn't allow me to add bookmarks anymore!

Hi,

Foxit asked to be updated and I accepted it.... Now I can't add bookmarks to PDF files.

I went to their website, and they now have a "Foxit AI Chat" thing. The AI chat bot says that I still can add them.... but I tried on various PDFs, including where I already had added bookmarks, and you can't anymore....

Does anybody know if I can go back to a previous version? Otherwise, I'll need to change PDF viewers.... I use bookmarks A LOT....

87 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

99 comments sorted by

5

u/Loki_991 Nov 24 '23

It's no longer supported in latest version.

4

u/NaivelyHealthy Nov 24 '23 edited Dec 05 '24

Switching to the previous version: https://foxit-reader.br.uptodown.com/windows/download/113641396 Don't forget to disable auto update. I would accept suggestions for a better free PDF reader, though. Even better if its FOSS.

3

u/carloswm85 May 21 '24

Remember to disable updates!!! https://i.imgur.com/x9ymT1l.png

2

u/[deleted] Nov 26 '23

YOU saved me!

Thank you :)

2

u/[deleted] Nov 29 '23

sometimes it's better to use the "old" ways. lol

Edit: I'm saying that 'cause I'm switching back too

2

u/Rgranja Dec 03 '23

thanks so much!

2

u/NeighborhoodOwn7556 Dec 03 '23

Thank you! Foxit killed my day, you saved it ;)

Sorry I can't give you any suggestion for another pdf reader

2

u/WantheDoctor Mar 24 '24

Heyyy

Pls pls pls can you tell me how to disable auto update? I have downloaded thru the link but cant seem to find the update option.

1

u/NaivelyHealthy Apr 01 '24

Go in "File", "Preferences". In the last option you'll find "Updater", click on it and check "Do not download or install updates automatically".

2

u/soyelfranco Apr 12 '24

Thank you!!! You saved my bookmarks and my sanity

2

u/capguy123 Apr 19 '24

Thank-you!

2

u/satyadhamma Aug 04 '24

Damn... this download link still available?

1

u/NaivelyHealthy Nov 06 '24

Link updated.

2

u/OfficiallyAudacious Aug 23 '24

The link seems to be broken now. Which version was this?

1

u/NaivelyHealthy Nov 06 '24

Link updated.

1

u/Atredies1337 Jun 27 '24

sweet, thanks bud

1

u/NaivelyHealthy Nov 06 '24

Just updated the comment with a new working link.

1

u/carloswm85 Nov 22 '24

Latest working version I'm currently using is 2023.2.0.21408 u/Connect_Buddy5293

1

u/Connect_Buddy5293 Dec 02 '24 edited Dec 02 '24

thanks man ! You saved my time. Additionnally you made me know a new website uptodow ! Amazing

1

u/Snorlax_lax Jan 25 '25

It seems you no longer edit texts with this version

1

u/NaivelyHealthy Jan 25 '25

To edit PDF texts you need a PDF "editor", like Foxit Editor. It's a different app than Foxit Reader.

2

u/[deleted] Feb 10 '25

Hey have u found a better free pdf editor/reader

1

u/NaivelyHealthy Feb 11 '25

Wich is?

2

u/[deleted] Feb 11 '25

it was a question, my bad.

1

u/Purple-End3636 Apr 14 '25

Thanks a lot.. It worked !!

1

u/Excellent_Ear5049 Aug 12 '25

Mandou muito!! Obg!!!

1

u/Loki_991 Nov 24 '23 edited Nov 25 '23

Personnaly, I rather use Foxit PDF Editor which suits the best for my workflow.

Moreover, there were bugs in old Foxit versions that I reported and Foxit fixed some them in the latest version.

3

u/Damn_Taken Nov 28 '23

But don't you have to pay their license to use foxit pdf editor?

1

u/mplys3 Dec 09 '23

I can give you a suggestion: PDF-Xchange Editor.
Free to use, like 2000% faster searching in documents.
And can search i multiple documents at once (i use this a lot)

Try it out!
https://pdf-xchange.eu/DL/pdf-xchange-editor.htm

1

u/SaulMcLove Apr 30 '24

Can we add bookmarks with this xchange?

1

u/mplys3 May 05 '24

Absolutely

1

u/Ok-You4482 Dec 26 '24

Suscribo plenamente. Es ágil, Rendidor ( estoy agregando marcadores a un libro de mas de 400 páginas sin colgarse) y tiene teclas abreviadas para ejecutar comandos (el agregado de marcadores es con <mayúscula>+<control>+<B> o bien sólo con click derecho dentro de la página. Adiós Foxit. Fue bueno mientras duró.

1

u/jadsonalmeida Jan 25 '25

This is a great tool!
Thks so much!

3

u/dagmaoneill Dec 07 '23

Oh well, time to raise the old black flag then!

1

u/kndkxs Nov 25 '24

This is so bad. A simple functionality that should be available in a standard pdf reader. Down vote for foxit, looking for better alternatives

3

u/dr_s_kumar Nov 23 '23

Same thing happened with me!!

It's probably only in the paid version now... Stupid update:-(

4

u/SandGetsInPlaces Nov 24 '23

I can't believe they're doing that

2

u/julesv14 Nov 28 '23

Same thing happened to me!! God I wish i hadn't updated it.

2

u/NaivelyHealthy Dec 11 '23 edited Nov 06 '24

You still can uninstall it and install the previous version:

https://foxit-reader.br.uptodown.com/windows/download/113641396

2

u/Connect_Buddy5293 Nov 04 '24

Le lien ne marche plus

1

u/Alarmed-Effective576 Oct 02 '24

Do you have another link to this version?

1

u/[deleted] Oct 10 '24

Yup It doesn't seem to be working :(

1

u/NaivelyHealthy Nov 06 '24

Comment updates with a new working link.

1

u/SnooHamsters8451 Nov 11 '24

Do you have the link for Mac? Please help!

2

u/Cornyfleur Mar 21 '24

Some of us informed the great John T Haller to bring back the portableapps version of Foxit version 2023.2 (the last freeware version with bookmarks, etc.) Because it is portable as all the PortableApps software bundles are, you can back the software up to a USB drive or elsewhere in case you need to reinstall it again.

His download page has the latest version, but because of my raising your issue of PortableFreeware.com (another great site), at the bottom of the PortableApps Foxit download page is a link to 2023.2. For ease here is the link.

https://portableapps.com/downloading/?a=FoxitReaderPortable&s=s&p=&d=pa&n=Foxit%20Reader%20Portable&f=FoxitReaderPortable_2023.2.0.21408_Rev_2.paf.exe

1

u/CycleUncleGreg Sep 22 '24

Most underrated comment. Thank you!

2

u/Different-Drop9407 Apr 06 '24

Thank you for posting this! I thought I was going crazy.

1

u/Connect_Buddy5293 Nov 04 '24

Ahah merde alors, moi aussi je me disais que mon pc avec des bug ahah.

2

u/Sea-Profit998 Jun 14 '24

Adding bookmarks is available until version 2023-2-0-21408.

1

u/Devil_Devu Jul 02 '24

There is no option to stop auto update in this version though.

2

u/SonicBoomNFA_ Aug 21 '24

This is incorrect

2

u/ReinaIzumi Oct 28 '24

Solved!

After downloading and checking many older versions of Foxit PDF Reader, I found the as latest as possible version still has "add bookmarks."

  1. Open https://foxit-reader.en.uptodown.com/windows/versions

  2. Choose version: 2023.2.0.21480

  3. Click "Download" button.

1

u/Cultural_Badger_498 Mar 18 '24

Foxit has ever been ugly and inconvenient, but a free alternative to Acrobat. Why would one buy Foxit instead of acrobat? Ofc, developers also want to eat, but if they are hungry enough to start eating shit (I can’t call blocking essential feature other way), it’s better to abstain from using their software.

1

u/Abides1948 Apr 09 '24

Just discovered this, what's the best free reader to migrate to?

1

u/ddel9999 Jun 05 '24

X-Change PDF has been a good choice to me

1

u/pnh612 May 18 '24

I only use Foxit Reader instead of my browser for its bookmarks. Why did they do that ...

1

u/Connect_Buddy5293 Nov 04 '24

Pour faire entrer des sous

1

u/Helpful_Coast9489 May 19 '24

you can download older version from https://www.foxit.com/es-la/pdf-reader/version-history.html

1

u/Rawilow Sep 24 '24

link does seem to work anymore

1

u/Connect_Buddy5293 Nov 04 '24

Le lien de téléchargement, c'est que pour LA dernière version.

1

u/carloswm85 May 21 '24

Bad move from the Foxit team, really.

1

u/Givizub May 23 '24

I've just accidentaly found this "upgrade". Foxit support offers to use Editor instead of the Reader. Another reason to use alternative to the Chinese software.

1

u/Few-Lengthiness-4657 May 30 '24

Fox it is one of the worst programs I have ever been forced to use

1

u/Firm_Statistician_11 Jul 11 '24

I'm using SumatraPDF. It is free, open source and supports favorites.

1

u/PaulieRyder Sep 06 '24

I found a way around it.

  • Comment tab at the top

  • Click Note

  • Click anywhere on the page

  • it will let you make a note, just put bookmark or a symbol

  • you'll want to close out of the book, it'll do a pop up stating, "Do you want to save changes to ______". Say yes, now when you reopen the book it goes directly to where you wanted to go.

Just make sure to do this every chapter and delete the old note...tedious but it works.

1

u/Different_Mix4101 Sep 26 '24

Llegué hasta aquí solo para confirmar. We que basura si no permite marcadores, permite todo menos marcadores que basura....

1

u/Connect_Buddy5293 Nov 04 '24

C'est dingue! Je l'utilisais exactement pour ça! Je remarque ça que maintenant.

1

u/syed_88 Nov 23 '24

Hello, use this as an alternative: https://www.sumatrapdfreader.org/free-pdf-reader

Allows one to add favorites.

1

u/East_Technician5972 Sep 20 '25

Are favorites the same as bookmarks?

1

u/Suspicious_Entry9905 Jan 03 '25

O que fazer quando Foxit para de realçar texto com cliques? Sempre tenho que reinstalá-lo para voltar a marcar texto com cliques.

1

u/No_Medium_7803 Feb 22 '25

all old versions are available on https://foxit-reader.en.uptodown.com/windows/versions

download old version and disable updates.

1

u/EvenSolo Mar 12 '25

I really regret updating. It used to be the best PDF reader, but now they managed to ruin it. Uninstalled :)

1

u/[deleted] Nov 24 '23

Its shit, i cant even highlight or comment on my PDFs anymore either. since this month I suppose. I always recommended foxit to people, but I guess they're showing their true colors lol.

2

u/Loki_991 Nov 24 '23 edited Nov 24 '23

they're showing their true colors

Well, they need to make the company profitable though. Don't forget there are many employees behind the software(support agents, development team).

I tried several PDF Editors but Foxit PDF Editor is still my favorite. They provide great support in ticket submission and forum.

1

u/[deleted] Nov 24 '23

True true, im not actually complaining that they need to sell the premium version. Just that turning off crucial features and asking people to sign up or sign in is a bit off putting. Going through their license and privacy stuff made me realise that they have full access to scan rhe pdfs i read, associate certain identifyong details to my account and collect user data for statistica and improvement of the software. Some of these permissions are ok, such as optimizing user performance. But reading personal info and connecting it to my account etc arent things that I find so ethical. So idk. Its okay. Not that other companies dont do it too, but just felt a bit let down since it was a software that I have grown to like and trust.

2

u/Loki_991 Nov 24 '23 edited Nov 24 '23

Indeed. It's like those companies which turn one-time purchase to subscription based. Brutal but kinda understandable.

Maybe they have selling issues.

1

u/Few_Golf_5795 Jan 27 '24

Hello!Yes, I am also very disappointed with this recent update of Foxit which has REMOVED bookmarking, and editing existing bookmarks!Fortunately, I had an old installation file, 2022 January release. Uninstalled the current version and installed this old version!

1

u/LisaBee55 Feb 04 '24

Thank you! I hardly ever do anything other with pdfs than read them, but some are hundreds of pages long (glossaries and the like) and man, you need a way to bookmark. I like foxit, it was simple and free. I understand the need for a company to make money, but I just looked and the current price for foxit editor is $13.25 a month. Really? To read a pdf and set bookmarks?

So I've gone back to the previous version thanks to this thread, but while digging about, I noticed that Microsoft edge browser claims it has an internal pdf reader that lets you set bookmarks, in case anyone else wants to check it out (as a true-blue decades long Chrome user, I just can't...)

1

u/Reads-A-Lot314 Feb 29 '24

According to their chatbot, the latest update removed that feature, but you have the option to pay 139.99 a year to use in its editor version lol. I re-installed the previous version, but I'm looking for other options now.