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How do I disable Edge's built-in PDF viewer?

I'm browsing in Edge (on Windows 10 Pro, desktop) and click on a link to a PDF file. Currently, Edge displays the PDF within the browser, using a built-in viewer.

I want to be able to configure Edge to always open the PDF in the default application for PDFs (which is currently Adobe Reader DC on my PC) - i.e. in an external application, not using Edge's built-in PDF viewer.

How do I configure Edge to do this?  (I can't see a way in settings or advanced settings.)

I know there's a workaround to right-click on the link, save the file, go to File Explorer, find the file and then open the file.  But that's tedious.

Thanks,

P

 

Hi,

This issue might occur if the file association got changed for PDF files. We suggest that you set the application as default on which you want to view the PDF files. Please follow the steps below:

  1. Type default program in the search area in the taskbar and select Default Programs.
  2. Select Set Default Programs.
  3. Select the application on which you want to view the PDF files from the left navigation window.
  4. Select Set this program as default.

For more information, you may refer to this link.

Note: Applies to Windows 10 as well.

Let us know how it goes.

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Hi Aileen,

Thanks for the reply.

I'm fairly sure this is not a problem with file-type-to-application associations.  When I click on a PDF file in File Explorer it opens in Acrobat, as expected.  But I checked anyway: the file type associations are as expected: ".pdf" is configured to open with "Adobe Acrobat Reader DC".

I can configure Firefox and IE 11 to open PDF urls/links in Acrobat Reader, but I can't find a way to tell Edge to behave 'properly'.

Regards,

P

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We suggest that you try updating Microsoft Edge to the latest version and check if the issue persists. Also, you can always provide feature requests and suggestions and report problems with Microsoft Edge by following these steps:

  1. Type Windows Feedback in the search bar.
  2. Type some keywords from your issue in the box marked Search for feedback, and press Enter.
  3. If you find your issue, upvote it. If you don't find it, select Add new feedback, then fill out the form.

Regards.

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Solution from  BrooklynParkMikey on April 11, 2017 here:  

How to override Microsoft Edge as the default PDF viewer? I wish I - Microsoft Community
Windows MVP 2010-2020 (ret).
Millions helped via my tutorials and personally in forums for 14 years.
Please notify me in my articles' Comments if a tutorial link is outdated or ads intrude.

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Hi Greg,

I think you misunderstand.  The 'solution' that you propose is for stopping Edge from becoming the default PDF application when launching from the Windows shell.  My default PDF application is Adobe DC Reader and it never 'reverts' to Edge.

The problem I describe is that I'm browsing a site using Edge and I click on a link to a PDF.  I want the PDF to open outside of Edge, in the default PDF application (Acrobat).  But Edge doesn't let me control that behaviour (although I can in IE and Firefox) - Edge just uses its built-in PDF viewer.

Regards,

P

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More weirdness from Edge.  I don't know if we'll get that changed anytime soon, but let's start now by reporting it in Feedback Hub app which is how they want these issues elevated.  Until then as long as you know the Adobe Reader has all it's defaults in Control Panel>Default Programs>Choose Default Programs then all I know to suggest is to try to download the file first and then open it via right click to Open With Adobe Reader, with box ticked to always use that program. 
Windows MVP 2010-2020 (ret).
Millions helped via my tutorials and personally in forums for 14 years.
Please notify me in my articles' Comments if a tutorial link is outdated or ads intrude.

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Last updated March 19, 2025 Views 32,332 Applies to: