Docs / Getting Started with BarePDF

Getting Started with BarePDF

BarePDF is an open-source, ultra-lightweight, fast PDF reader built specifically for Windows 10 and 11. It delivers the speed and efficiency of classic minimalist readers while providing a modern desktop user interface powered by Rust and Slint.

Key Features

  • Bounded Memory Use: Demand-driven rendering and byte-budgeted bitmap caches prevent usage from growing with page count.
  • Fast Document Opening: Instant startup and rendering via native PDFium integration.
  • Offline & Private: Zero telemetry, zero analytics, zero AI clutter, and no user accounts.
  • Modern Desktop UX: Native dark and light theme integration, high-DPI scaling, and responsive controls.
  • Demand-Driven Rendering: LRU byte-budgeted memory cache ensuring smooth continuous scrolling.

System Requirements

  • Operating System: Windows 10 or Windows 11 (64-bit).
  • Architecture: x86_64 (AMD64 / Intel 64-bit).
  • RAM: 512 MB minimum (1 GB recommended).
  • Storage: ~50 MB available disk space.

Opening Your First PDF

You can open documents in BarePDF in multiple ways:

  1. Toolbar Button: Click Open PDF or press Ctrl+O to open the file selection dialog.
  2. File Explorer Double-Click: If configured as your default PDF reader, double-clicking any .pdf file opens it instantly.
  3. Command Line: Pass the file path directly to the executable: 
    BarePDF.exe "C:\Users\You\Documents\sample.pdf"