How to Sign In and Activate Foxit PDF Editor via SSO

Learn how to sign in to Foxit PDF Editor using SSO, set it as your default PDF viewer, and resolve maximum device activation limits.

June 29, 2026 By Michael Limberg

This guide explains how to activate Foxit PDF Editor using your County email credentials. Completing these steps ensures your software is fully activated and ready for use as your default PDF viewer.

This workflow applies to any employee or team member setting up Foxit PDF Editor for the first time or reactivating their license on a new computer.

Launch and Sign In

Step #1: Double-click the Foxit PDF Editor icon on your desktop to open the application. — Double-click the **Foxit PDF Editor** icon on your desktop to open the application.

Step #2: Click Sign In when the activation window appears. — Click **Sign In** when the activation window appears.

Set as Default Viewer (Optional)

You may be prompted to set Foxit PDF Editor as your default application for viewing PDF files.

Step #3: Click Yes when the dialog box asks if you want to set the application as the default PDF viewer. — Click **Yes** when the dialog box asks if you want to set the application as the default PDF viewer.

Step #4: In the Windows Settings menu that opens, which may open behind the Foxit window, select Foxit PDF Editor as the default application for .pdf files. — In the Windows Settings menu that opens, which may open behind the Foxit window, select **Foxit PDF Editor** as the default application for `.pdf` files.

Authenticate via SSO

Step #5: On the Sign In window, click SSO Login to use your County credentials. — On the Sign In window, click **SSO Login** to use your County credentials.

Type your County email address (using @onondaga.gov) into the input field.

Step #7: Select your County account from the prompt to proceed with authentication. — Select your County account from the prompt to proceed with authentication.

Step #8: If a dialog informs you that account permissions have changed, click Restart Now to apply the updates. — If a dialog informs you that account permissions have changed, click **Restart Now** to apply the updates.

Resolve Activation Limits

If you have installed Foxit PDF Editor on multiple computers, you might hit your license's maximum activation limit.

Step #9: If an error states the license has reached the maximum number of activations, click OK to manage your devices. — If an error states the license has reached the maximum number of activations, click OK to manage your devices.

Step #10: In the device management window, click the Remove Authorization icon next to an older or unused device. — In the device management window, click the **Remove Authorization** icon next to an older or unused device.

Step #11: Click Sign In to finalize your activation on the current device. — Click **Sign In** to finalize your activation on the current device.

Q: Why did I receive a maximum activations error?

A: Foxit PDF Editor allows a limited number of device activations per license. If you hit this limit, you must remove authorization from an older or unused device before signing in on a new one.

Q: What is SSO Login?

A: SSO (Single Sign-On) allows you to log in using your organization's standard email credentials rather than maintaining a separate password for Foxit PDF Editor.

Q: Why did the application prompt me to restart?

A: After logging in via SSO, the application downloads your updated account permissions. A restart is required to fully apply these updates to the editor.

Term	Definition
SSO (Single Sign-On)	An authentication method that allows users to securely log in to multiple applications using one set of organizational credentials.
.pdf (Portable Document Format)	A file format used to present documents in a manner independent of application software, hardware, and operating systems.