User Guide
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00.2 · Getting Started

Installing and Launching Spark

Spark PDF is a Windows desktop application built on .NET 9.

System Requirements

RequirementMinimumRecommended
Operating systemWindows 10 (version 1809)Windows 11
.NET runtime.NET 9 Desktop Runtime.NET 9 Desktop Runtime
RAM4 GB8 GB or more
Display1366 × 7681920 × 1080 or higher
Disk500 MB free2 GB free (for thumbnail cache)
InputMouse + keyboardMouse, keyboard, optional pen tablet
Tip

Tip — A pen tablet (Wacom, Surface Pen) works natively with the Freehand and signature tools.

Installing

  1. Run the Spark installer (.msi or .exe depending on your distribution).
  2. Accept the licence agreement.
  3. Choose an install location (default C:\Program Files\Spark).
  4. Allow the installer to register the .pdf association if you want Spark to open PDFs directly from File Explorer.

If .NET 9 Desktop Runtime is not already installed, the installer will prompt you to download it from Microsoft.

First Launch

The first time Spark starts:

  • The welcome screen appears with recent documents (empty on a fresh install), pinned files, and a Browse button.
  • A default user theme is loaded. You can change it in Settings → Appearance.
  • Spark validates its licence; unlicensed tools are still visible in menus but show a licence prompt when clicked.

Opening a PDF

You can open PDFs in several ways:

MethodHow
File ExplorerDouble-click a .pdf if Spark is the default handler
Welcome screenClick Browse, or click a recent / pinned entry
MenuFile → Open (Ctrl+O)
Drag and dropDrop a .pdf onto the Spark window
Command lineSpark.exe path\to\file.pdf
Tip

Workflow — Opening multiple PDFs in the same session creates separate tabs. Switch with Ctrl+Tab or click a tab.

Closing and Exit

  • Close tab: Ctrl+W or click the × on the tab.
  • Exit Spark: Alt+F4 or File → Exit.

If any open document has unsaved changes, Spark will prompt you to save before closing.