PDF Retriever Version 0.2
Windows Installer Release
Thank you for downloading PDF Retriever.
PDF Retriever is an open-source tool designed to help download, organize, and archive publicly available PDF documents from websites. It is intended for public records, public meeting documents, agendas, minutes, reports, presentations, and similar publicly posted files.
WHAT IS NEW IN VERSION 0.2
This release adds a true Windows installer for PDF Retriever and fixes the download issue seen on some websites where PDFs were not being found or downloaded correctly.
Windows users no longer need to install Python, run command-line commands, or manually install dependencies. Download the Windows setup file, run it, and PDF Retriever will install like a normal Windows program.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
- Windows installer: PDF_Retriever_Windows_Setup.exe
- Installs PDF Retriever to the Windows Programs folder
- Adds Start Menu shortcut
- Adds Desktop shortcut
- Adds normal Windows uninstall support
- Packages the required Python dependencies inside the app
- Improved PDF detection for websites that hide PDF links in buttons, scripts, embedded viewers, iframes, or WordPress media libraries
- Improved handling for public PDFs hosted on a different domain than the page being scanned
IMPORTANT TIP FOR SOME WEBSITES
Some public websites use buttons such as:
- View Minutes
- View Agenda
- View Presentation
- View Report
- Download PDF
On some sites, those buttons do not point directly to a normal PDF link. The PDF may be loaded through a script, embedded viewer, iframe, WordPress media library, or a different public file/media server.
If PDF Retriever is not finding PDFs on a website, turn on the option to allow off-site PDFs / PDFs from other domains.
Some public websites do not keep the PDF file on the exact same domain as the page being scanned, so enabling that option can help PDF Retriever find and download those files.
WHAT THIS TOOL DOES NOT DO
PDF Retriever is only intended for publicly available documents.
This tool does not bypass:
- Logins
- Passwords
- Paywalls
- CAPTCHAs
- Private files
- Restricted content
- Access controls
WINDOWS SMARTSCREEN / DEFENDER NOTE
Because this is a new open-source project and the Windows installer is not code-signed yet, Windows Defender or SmartScreen may show a warning.
If you trust the download source, you may need to click:
More info
Run anyway
This is common for new independent software releases that are not yet code-signed.
INSTALLATION
1. Download PDF_Retriever_Windows_Setup.exe
2. Double-click the installer
3. Follow the installer prompts
4. Launch PDF Retriever from the Desktop shortcut or Start Menu
UNINSTALLATION
PDF Retriever can be removed like normal Windows software:
Settings > Apps > Installed Apps > PDF Retriever > Uninstall
You can also use the uninstall shortcut created in the Start Menu.
PROJECT PURPOSE
PDF Retriever was created to make it easier for regular people, local communities, researchers, and public-records users to collect and organize publicly posted PDF documents without manually clicking through website after website.
It is especially useful for public meeting minutes, agendas, reports, presentations, and other government or community documents that are already publicly posted online.
