PDFixer — Frequently Asked Questions
Everything about your account, installation, licensing, updates and privacy. Can”t find your answer? Contact support.
Account, invoice and license code
How do I retrieve or manage my license code and users?
Go to pdfixer.fabreasy.com/my-account and request a magic login link:
- Enter the email address you used for your purchase.
- You will receive a secure login link in your inbox.
- Click the link to view your license code or license codes and remove users.
No password is required. The link logs you in securely and is only valid for a limited time.
I did not receive the login link
Check your spam folder and make sure you used the same email address as your purchase. You can request a new link at any time. Still stuck? Contact support.
Installing and downloading
How do I install PDFixer?
There are three ways to install PDFixer:
| Method | Best for |
|---|---|
| Microsoft Store (recommended) | Easiest option; Windows handles installation and updates automatically. Open in Store |
| MSIX download | Install outside the Store. Download MSIX |
| Portable ZIP | Run without installing (for example from a USB stick). Available from your account. |
What is the difference between the Store and the MSIX download?
It is the same app. The Store version is updated automatically by Windows. The self-hosted MSIX is signed with a Certum certificate, so it installs without any sideload hassle; Windows also checks it for updates automatically (at most once every 24 hours) and updates it in the background.
What is the portable ZIP version?
The portable version runs without installation. On first launch PDFixer offers to copy itself to a fixed folder (%LOCALAPPDATA%\Programs\Fabreasy\PDFixer) and create shortcuts, which keeps updates and shortcuts working. Tip: do not run it straight from the temporary unzipped folder, otherwise automatic updates cannot be applied.
Activating and releasing your license
How do I activate my license?
Open PDFixer, click the license button, enter your license code (PFX…) and click Activate. Your code is stored encrypted on your computer.
On how many computers can I use my license?
Your license covers an agreed number of installations. If you reach that number, the app shows limit reached when you try to activate. Release an old installation first (see below) to free up a seat.
How do I release my license to move it to another computer?
Two ways:
- In the app: open the license button, choose Release license and confirm. The installation is deregistered and the seat becomes available again.
- From your account at pdfixer.fabreasy.com/account: view your license and manage active installations there. Please enter the email address that was used to buy the license.
If you can no longer access the old PC, for example because it broke or was wiped, and the email address is no longer in use, please contact support.
A release is detected by the software on the next restart or within 4 hours.
Does PDFixer work offline?
Yes. After activation the license keeps working for up to 7 days offline; after that it needs a brief internet connection to re-verify.
How long is my license valid?
The license is valid for 3 years from the date of purchase. It is a one-time purchase — there is no subscription.
Free trial
Is there a free trial?
Yes — PDFixer has a 14-day free trial, no registration needed. In a virtual machine the trial is shorter (7 days), and in Windows Sandbox or Sandboxie the trial is not available. After the trial you need a license code to continue.
Updates
How does PDFixer update?
Store and MSIX: automatically, handled by Windows.
Portable ZIP: PDFixer checks for a new version at startup and can download and install it with a single click.
Privacy
What data does PDFixer collect?
Only limited, anonymous usage statistics (number of launches, PDFs opened and saved, features used, app version and license status) with a random installation ID. No personal data, no IP addresses, no file names and no document content. Your documents never leave your computer.
Can I disable telemetry?
Yes — contact support, or have your administrator turn it off via the registry setting (see For administrators).
For administrators and business use
Can I pre-configure PDFixer for a rollout?
Yes. For deployment via GPO, Intune or SCCM you can pre-configure PDFixer through the registry. PDFixer reads values in the order HKLM → HKCU → built-in default (HKLM = enforced by the administrator).
Registry settings
Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Fabreasy PDFixer (machine-wide, enforced) or HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Fabreasy PDFixer (per user). When a value exists in both, the machine-wide value wins, so a standard user cannot override an administrator's choice.
| Value | Type | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
ProvisionedKey | REG_SZ | License code. PDFixer activates automatically on first launch, registering the Windows user name as the seat. |
ProvisionedSettings | REG_SZ | Path to a settings package (ZIP), for example on a network share. PDFixer imports it on the first launch and again whenever the file on the server has a newer modification date. Create the package on a reference PC via Settings, Export settings. |
ProvisionedSettingsAlways | DWORD | 1 = import the settings package on every launch, so the organisation's defaults are restored each day regardless of what users changed. |
PrivacyMode | DWORD | 1 = the machine name and the Windows user name are hashed before being sent to the license server. No personal data leaves the PC during license validation. Set this before rollout: the hash is the seat identity, so switching later takes a second seat until the old one is released after 90 days of inactivity. The license portal then shows PRIV- codes instead of names. |
PrivacySalt | REG_SZ | Optional secret of your organisation that is mixed into that hash. Without it, Fabreasy could in theory guess a common user name; with it, nobody outside your organisation can recover a name. Use the same value on every PC. |
BuyButton | DWORD | 0 = hide the Buy license button, price and promotion lines. Entering a key and deactivating still work. |
Telemetry | DWORD | 0 = no anonymous usage statistics, and no Microsoft Store rating prompt. |
AutoUpdate | DWORD | 0 = no built-in update check. Applies to the portable ZIP only; the Microsoft Store version is updated by the Store. |
LetterheadPanel | DWORD | 0 = hide the letterhead panel completely. |
Language | REG_SZ | Interface language, for example en, nl, de. A machine-wide value (HKLM) is enforced at every launch and overrides the user's own choice. |
Scripted rollout: PDFixer.exe /import="\\server\path\PDFixer-settings.zip" imports a settings package silently and exits with code 0 or 1. The package contains program settings, letterhead sets and the letterhead PDFs; it never contains license data or passwords.
Note: never edit the encrypted LicenseKey / LicenseCache values or the trial files. They are protected and not meant to be changed manually.
Inquiries
Get in touch.
How can I contact Fabreasy PDFixer?
For support, sales, licensing questions, or other inquiries, please email us at pdfixer@fabreasy.com. We’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
What can PDFixer do?
Rotate PDF pages, merge and split documents, add signatures, stamps, text and images, and insert or delete pages. The interface is available in 14 languages, including English, Dutch, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Polish, Chinese, Japanese and Arabic.