Microsoft Edge is not only the default web browser in Windows 10 but also the default PDF reader. This is definitely a good thing as we can finally view PDF files without having to install third-party apps, but it’s more of a basic PDF reader.
If you prefer to have a feature-rich application as the default PDF reader instead of Edge, then you have plenty of options to choose from. In this article, we’ll show you how to change the default PDF reader in Windows 10.
Change the Default by Using Open With in File Explorer
After I updated my software, Adobe Reader became my default pdf reader. How can I change it back to 'Preview'? I tried printing a doc opened with Adobe acrobat and it just printed a solid page of black ink. Mac OS X: Double-Clicking a File Opens the Wrong Application. Jun 29, 2010 I accidentally set Adobe Reader as the default pdf reader, and I HATE it. I'd like to change Preview back to being the default, but I can't figure out how.
Open File Explorer and navigate to a folder containing your PDF file. Right-click on a file and choose “Open with > Choose another app”.
Click this link to browse to the program that you want to set as the default PDF reader, and choose the “Open” button to set it as the default. Changing the default PDF reader app in Windows is a simple procedure, and that’s all there is to it. To set adobe reader as the default pdf reader in Mac OS: right click on any pdf file on your Mac OS. Get Info I Open with Adobe Reader I Change ALL I Continue I Done! Hope it works!
Change the Default PDF Viewer in Mac OS X. This works the same to set Preview as the default pdf viewer in all versions of Mac OS: From the Mac OS X desktop or Finder, find a PDF file and hit Command+i to “Get Info” on the file. In OS X, Apple’s Preview. Is the default application for opening a number of file types, including PDF’s. While versatile, Preview will NOT allow you to make changes to PDF’s with editable content. Follow these instructions to set Adobe Acrobat Reader as the default application for opening PDF files.
A pop-up will appear that will let you choose a program for just one time. Or you can also select the “Always use this app” link to make it permanent. From this window, choose the default PDF reader of your choice.
If the default app is not listed in this window, then you can select a different program located in your PC. Click “More apps”, select an app or scroll down to see “Look for another app in this PC” link. Click this link to browse to the program that you want to set as the default PDF reader, and choose the “Open” button to set it as the default.
Change the Default by Using Default Programs in Control Panel
Open Control Panel (icon view) and select “Default Programs”. Click the link labelled “Associate a file type or protocol with a program”, and wait for a couple of seconds to load all file types.
Scroll down the list to see .PDF entry. Click on “.PDF” entry, and then click the “Change program” button.
A pop-up will appear that will let you choose an app from the list.
If the default app is not listed in this window, then you can select a different program located in your PC. Click “More apps”, and select an app or scroll down to see “Look for another app in this PC” link. Click this link to browse to the program that you want to set as the default PDF reader, and choose the “Open” button to set it as the default.
Changing the default PDF reader app in Windows is a simple procedure, and that’s all there is to it.
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The new Microsoft Edge is not only the default web browser in Windows 10 but also the default PDF reader in the newest version of Windows operating system. This is definitely a good thing as we can finally view PDF files without having to install third-party apps or Microsoft’s own Reader app that it introduced with the previous version of Windows.
While Microsoft Edge is definitely better than Internet Explorer, the current version of web browser from Microsoft is lacks many features offered by its rivals. This is the reason why many users are using Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Opera as their default browser in Windows 10 as against the default browser.
While it’s true that Edge supports PDF files, it’s more of a basic PDF reader. If you prefer to have a feature-rich application as the default PDF reader instead of Edge, you have plenty of options to choose from.
Best PDF reader software for Windows 10
Popular web browsers like Chrome and Firefox support PDF files, meaning you can use these browsers to open and view your PDF files. That said, these web browsers don’t offer all PDF functionalities you would expect in a good PDF reader software like Gaaiho PDF Reader, Soda 3D PDF Reader, or the small Foxit Reader.
If you prefer to use Chrome, Firefox, Adobe Reader, Gaaiho PDF Reader or any other good desktop program as the default PDF reader in Windows 10, you can do so by following the directions given below.
Changing the default PDF reader in Windows 10
Method 1 of 2
Step 1: Open up File Explorer, navigate to a folder containing any PDF file, right-click on a PDF file, click Open with, click Choose another app to open option to open “How do you want to open this file?” fly-out.
Step 2: Before selecting a program, check the box labelled Always use this app to open .pdf files.
Either select one of the listed apps or click More apps, select a program or scroll to down to see Look for another app in this PC link. Click Look for another app in this PC to browse to the program that you want to set as the default PDF reader, select the program, and then click Open button to set it as the default.
Method 2 of 2
Another way to change the default PDF reader in Windows 10
How To Set Adobe Acrobat As Default
Step 1: Type default programs in Start menu search box and press Enter to open the desktop version of Default Programs. Please note that it’s important to open the desktop version as the Settings app doesn’t allow you choose a program from your PC and instead it offers you download an app from the Store.
Free Adobe Reader For Mac
Alternatively, open Control Panel, change View by to Small icons, and then click Default Programs to open the same.
Step 2: Click the second link labelled Associate a file type or protocol with a program, and wait for a couple seconds to load all file types.
Step 3: Scroll down the list to see .PDF entry. Click on .PDF entry, and then click Change program button to open “How do you want to open this .PDF file from now on” fly-out.
Step 4: Either select one of the programs displayed in the list or click More apps, click Look for another app on this PC link to browse to the program that you want to use as the default PDF reader and finally, click Open button to select it as the default PDF reader in Windows 10.
Hope this helps!
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