How to Merge PDFs on Windows 11: Top 3 Solutions Explained

Windows users, unite! Whether you're drowning in a sea of PDFs from work, school, or your latest attempt at Marie Kondo-ing your digital life, merging all of those files into one sleek, organized document sounds like a dream. Windows 11, unfortunately, doesn't come with a built-in tool to do the job. However, don’t fret. There are plenty of fantastic third-party apps, web-based solutions, and even old-school command-line techniques to come to our rescue.
Here’s everything you need to know about combining PDFs on Windows 11—whether you're after something quick and easy, web-based, or a super geeky adventure in the command line. Get ready to make your PDF chaos a thing of the past!

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Solution 1: Using a Free Desktop App (The User-Friendly Way!)​

If you're looking for a graphical solution that doesn't require deciphering cryptic commands or risking your precious documents on random websites, the "PDF Merger & Splitter" app from the Microsoft Store might be your BFF.

Steps to Combine PDFs:​

• Download the App:
• Open the Microsoft Store on your Windows 11 PC.
• Search for PDF Merger & Splitter (because, literal names are helpful), then click "Get" to download and install.
• Launch and Select Your Task:
• Start the app and choose "Merge PDF" from the options on the initial screen. If you’re splitting PDFs, there’s a “Split PDF” feature too.
• Add Files:
• Click "Add PDFs" and navigate to the folder where your documents are stored. Select multiple files, repeat as necessary for rolling PDFs in from other folders.
• Rearrange and Fine-Tune:
• Use the "Move Up," "Move Down," or "Remove" buttons to organize or edit your file selections.
• Preview PDFs as needed to ensure everything's in the perfect order.
• Merge and Save:
• Once satisfied, hit Merge PDF at the bottom. A "Save As" window will appear—choose a destination, name your final file, and click "Save." Voila! Your unified PDF masterpiece awaits.

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Why Choose This Method?​

• Pro: Offline and safe, no need to risk your files on potentially shady websites.
• Con: Slightly less convenient if you just need something quick without downloading.

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Solution 2: Merge PDFs Online (Fast But Use with Caution!)​

For those moments when you don't want to bother with installing anything, online PDF merging tools get the job done. But here's the catch: uploading sensitive documents to any random website could lead to data privacy risks. So, if you're combining top-secret files (looking at you, spies and lawyers), this may not be the best option.

Recommended Online Tools:​

• Adobe Acrobat Online
• iLovePDF
• SmallPDF

Our example will focus on Adobe Acrobat Online because it’s trusted and feature-rich.

Steps to Merge PDFs with Adobe Acrobat Online:​

• Visit Adobe’s free merge tool through their official website.
• Click Select Files (or just drag-and-drop your PDFs into the interface).
• Rearrange the files by drag-and-drop or remove unwanted ones using the trash icon.
• Click Merge and watch Adobe do its thing.
• Download the shiny, sleek final PDF. If you’re not signed into an Adobe account, note that downloads may expire after some time.

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Why Choose This Method?​

• Pro: Perfect for light or non-sensitive projects with minimal commitment.
• Con: Risks to data privacy if the files are confidential.

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Solution 3: Command Prompt Power with Ghostscript (For Techies)​

Ah, the command line—where nerd dreams come true (or spark unspeakable frustration). If you're the tinkerer sort who gets a kick out of typing commands, this one’s for you. Ghostscript is a free and robust tool that turns Command Prompt into your PDF-merging headquarters.

Here's the Breakdown:​

• Download & Install Ghostscript:
• Head over to the official Ghostscript site and grab the installer for your system architecture (most likely, a 64-bit version).
• Install the program, ensuring it’s accessible via your system's PATH variable.
• Open Command Prompt as Admin:
• Press Win + S, type Command Prompt, right-click, and "Run as Administrator."
• Navigate to the PDF Folder:
• Use the cd command followed by your desired directory's path. For folders with spaces in their name, wrap the path in double quotes, e.g., cd "C:\Users\YourName\Documents\PDFs".
• Combine PDFs Using the Command:
  

  gswin64c -dBATCH -dNOPAUSE -q -sDEVICE=pdfwrite -sOutputFile=Combined.pdf File1.pdf File2.pdf

• Replace File1.pdf and File2.pdf with your filenames. Stack as many files as needed.
• The resulting file appears in the same folder you’re working from.

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Why Choose This Method?​

• Pro: Completely offline, geeky, and incredibly versatile.
• Con: A steep learning curve that may intimidate beginners.

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🛠 Tools Comparison Chart​

Method	Ease of Use	Privacy	Software/Tool Needed	Best For
Desktop App			PDF Merger & Splitter	Offline combining of large PDFs
Online Tool			Browser, any online site	Quick on-the-go merging
Command Prompt			Ghostscript (CLI tool)	Advanced users! Offline secure.

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Final Thoughts & Recommendations​

Depending on your needs, Windows 11 offers plenty of ways to combine your PDFs—even without Microsoft's direct involvement. If privacy and internet-free usage are priorities, stick with desktop apps or tools like Ghostscript. For quick, casual merges, online tools are hard to beat.
And let's not forget: these methods don’t just combine PDFs. Many of the apps and tools mentioned here also take care of splitting files, extracting pages, or even rearranging content.
Alright, WindowsForum.com fam, now that your PDF combining arsenal is locked and loaded, what's your favorite method? Got tips or questions? Jump into the comments below and get the conversation started!

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Source: How-To Geek How to Combine PDF Files on Windows 11