Mastering PDF Splitting in Windows 11: Edge, Apps, and Online Tools

Splitting a PDF file on Windows 11 has never been easier—whether you’re using built-in tools or a dedicated third-party app.
In this article, we’re going to explore several approaches that let you extract specific pages from a PDF and save them as a new file. Let’s dive in!

Using Microsoft Edge: Your Built-in PDF Workhorse​

Believe it or not, one of the simplest PDF splitting methods doesn’t require installing any extra software at all. Microsoft Edge, the default browser in Windows 11, comes with handy PDF handling features that include a “Print to PDF” function. Here’s how to do it:

1. Locate Your PDF: Open File Explorer (press Windows+E), find the PDF file you want to split, then right-click and choose Open with > Microsoft Edge.
2. Access the Print Menu: Once the PDF loads in Edge, click the printer icon (or simply press Ctrl+P) to open the Print dialogue.
3. Choose the Print-to-PDF Option: In the Print window, select Microsoft Print to PDF from the printer drop-down menu.
4. Specify Your Page Range: Decide which pages you want in your new PDF. For example:
   • To extract just the second page, type in 2.
   • For pages 2 to 4, enter 2-4.
   • To extract non-sequential pages such as 2, 3, and 5, type 2,3,5.
5. Save Your New PDF: Click on Print. When the Save Print Output As window appears, pick your folder, name your new PDF file, and click Save.

This method is straightforward and leverages what’s already at your fingertips, making it perfect for quick tasks.

Splitting PDFs with a Free App: PDF Merger & Splitter​

If you prefer using a dedicated application for more control over which pages are extracted, consider the PDF Merger & Splitter app, available for free from the Microsoft Store. Here’s a step-by-step rundown:

1. Install the App: Open the Microsoft Store, search for PDF Merger & Splitter, and install it.
2. Launch and Load Your PDF: Open the app and choose the Split PDF option. Click on Load PDF and select the file you want to work on.
3. Select Your Pages: Once loaded, you’ll see a preview of each page. Click on the pages you wish to extract. The app automatically fills in the selected page range.
4. Output Options: Choose between:
   • Extract Selected Pages to a Single PDF: This combines the chosen pages into one file.
   • Extract Each Selected Page to a PDF: This creates individual files for each selected page.
5. Run the Split: Click the Split PDF button, choose your destination folder, and confirm your selection. You can then open the folder to see your newly split PDFs.

This app is ideal for users who prefer a graphical interface and need a bit more flexibility.

Advanced Splitting with PDFsam Basic​

For power users who need advanced splitting options, PDFsam Basic is a free and open-source tool that offers robust features like splitting by every n pages, at specific page numbers, or even by bookmarks. Here’s what makes PDFsam Basic a favorite for detailed PDF manipulation:

1. Download and Install: Get PDFsam Basic from its official website. Be sure to uncheck the option to install PDFsam Enhanced if you’re only interested in splitting.
2. Launch the App: Open PDFsam Basic and navigate to the Split tool within the application.
3. Choose Your Splitting Method:
   • Split After: Split after every page, or only after even or odd pages.
   • Split After Specific Pages: Enter the page numbers where you want the PDF to split.
   • Split by Every N Pages: Define a numeric interval for the splits.
   • Split by Bookmarks: Perfect for documents that use bookmarks to denote sections.
4. Set Your Output: Choose your output folder and then run the process.

PDFsam Basic is an excellent choice if you regularly need advanced PDF splitting functionality beyond simply extracting a few pages.

Online Tools for Quick Splits​

Sometimes, if you’re only dealing with one or two PDFs and don’t want to install additional software, online tools such as Adobe Acrobat (online), Sejda, or iLovePDF can do the trick. These tools offer similar options:

• Extract Every Page Into a PDF: Turn every page into a separate file.
• Select Specific Pages to Split: Manually choose the pages you want to extract.
• Split Every X Pages: Automatically split the document after every defined number of pages.
• Even Page Splitting: Split after every even-numbered page.

While these online services are convenient, be cautious when handling confidential documents since uploading files to third-party servers can expose sensitive information.

Conclusion: Choose What Works for You​

Whether you’re using the built-in capabilities of Microsoft Edge for a quick job, deploying a dedicated app like PDF Merger & Splitter for more control, or opting for advanced options with PDFsam Basic, Windows 11 offers plenty of ways to split PDF files with ease. Each method comes with its own set of advantages depending on your needs—from simplicity to powerful customization.
For Windows users who work with PDF documents regularly, having these tools at your disposal means you can efficiently manage your files without hassle. Have you tried one of these methods yet? What’s your go-to tool for handling PDFs on Windows 11? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below!
Happy PDF splitting on Windows 11!​