Are you frustrated when PDF files keep opening in Microsoft Edge instead of your preferred PDF reader? You’re not alone. Many users want to control whether microsoft edge open pdf automatically or use a different program like Adobe Acrobat.
The good news is you have complete control over this behavior. In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn multiple methods to stop or enable automatic PDF opening in Edge, customize your PDF viewing experience, and prevent Edge from hijacking your PDF associations.
Key Takeaways
- Edge’s default behavior: Microsoft Edge automatically opens PDFs in its built-in viewer unless you change the settings
- Quick fix: Go to Edge Settings > Site permissions > PDF documents and toggle “Always open PDF files externally”
- Windows control: Set your preferred PDF reader as default in Windows Settings > Apps > Default apps
- Permanent solution: Combine Edge settings with Windows default app settings for best results
- Common issue: Edge often resets itself as default PDF viewer after Windows updates, requiring repeated fixes
Why Does Microsoft Edge Open PDFs Automatically?
Microsoft Edge includes a built-in PDF viewer that allows it to display PDF files without requiring additional software. This feature was designed to make browsing more convenient by eliminating the need to download PDFs before viewing them. When you click a PDF link online, Edge automatically opens it in a new tab using its native PDF viewer.
The automatic opening happens because Edge is set as the default PDF handler in Windows. This integration between Edge and Windows means that whenever your system encounters a PDF file, it automatically chooses Edge to open it. While this can be convenient for quick viewing, many users prefer dedicated PDF readers like Adobe Acrobat for better features and functionality.
Edge’s PDF viewer has some advantages, such as fast loading times and basic annotation tools. However, it lacks advanced features found in dedicated PDF software, which is why many users want to disable pdfs opening in edge and use their preferred reader instead.
How to Stop Edge from Opening PDFs Automatically?
If you want to stop microsoft edge open pdf automatically, you have several effective methods. Let’s explore each approach to find the one that works best for your needs.
Method 1: Using Edge Settings (Easiest Method)
The simplest way to control edge automatically open downloaded pdf behavior is through Edge’s built-in settings:
- Open Microsoft Edge
- Click the three dots (⋯) in the top-right corner
- Select “Settings” from the dropdown menu
- Click on “Site permissions” in the left sidebar
- Scroll down and click on “PDF documents”
- Toggle the switch for “Always open PDF files externally” to On
When this setting is enabled, Edge will download PDF files instead of opening them automatically. You can then choose which application to open the PDF with, giving you more control over your PDF viewing experience.
Method 2: Changing Windows Default Apps
For a more permanent solution to disable pdfs opening in edge, you need to change your Windows default apps:
- Click the Start button and select Settings (gear icon)
- Go to “Apps” and then “Default apps”
- Click on “Choose default apps by file type”
- Scroll down to find “.pdf” in the list
- Click on the current default (likely Microsoft Edge)
- Select your preferred PDF reader (like Adobe Acrobat)
This method addresses the core issue of why is my pdf opening in edge and not adobe by changing the system-wide default application for PDF files.
Method 3: Using File Properties for Specific PDFs
If you only want to change the behavior for certain PDF files:
- Right-click on any PDF file
- Select “Open with” and then “Choose another app”
- Select your preferred PDF reader
- Check the box that says “Always use this app to open .pdf files”
- Click “OK”
This method is useful when you want to stop auto open pdf after download edge behavior for specific types of PDFs while keeping Edge as the default for others.
How to Make PDFs Open in Adobe Instead of Edge?
Many users specifically want to know how to make pdfs open in adobe not edge. Adobe Acrobat Reader offers more features and better compatibility with complex PDF documents. Here’s how to set it as your default:
Setting Adobe as Default PDF Handler
- Download and install Adobe Acrobat Reader if you haven’t already
- Open Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Go to “Edit” > “Preferences” > “General”
- Under “Basic Tools,” click “Set as Default PDF Handler”
- Follow the prompts to confirm the change
This method is particularly effective because it uses Adobe’s built-in mechanism to establish itself as the default PDF viewer, which can help prevent Edge from taking over again.
Windows Default App Method
- Open Windows Settings
- Navigate to “Apps” > “Default apps”
- Click “Set defaults by app”
- Find Adobe Acrobat Reader in the list
- Click on it and select “Manage”
- Ensure “.pdf” is associated with Adobe Acrobat Reader
This approach gives you system-wide control and is the best way to ensure how to make pdfs open in adobe not edge permanently.
Why Is My PDF Opening in Edge and Not Adobe?
A common frustration is when you’ve already set Adobe as your default PDF reader, but PDFs still open in Edge. This happens for several reasons:
Windows Updates Reset Defaults
Windows updates sometimes reset file associations to Microsoft defaults. After a major Windows update, you might need to set your PDF preferences again.
Edge Updates Take Control
Microsoft Edge updates can also change browser settings and file associations. When Edge updates, it may set itself as the default PDF viewer again.
System Policy Conflicts
In some cases, system policies or group settings can override your personal preferences. This is common in work or school computers where IT administrators control default applications.
To prevent Edge from hijacking your PDF associations, you need to use a combination of the methods mentioned above. The most effective approach is to both change the Edge settings AND set your preferred PDF reader as the default in Windows.
How to Stop Auto Open PDF After Download in Edge?
Sometimes the issue isn’t just about which program opens PDFs, but about the automatic opening behavior itself. Here’s how to stop auto open pdf after download edge:
Edge Download Settings
- Open Edge and click the three dots (⋯)
- Go to “Settings” > “Downloads”
- Toggle “Ask where to save each file before downloading” to On
- This will prompt you to choose a location before downloading, preventing automatic opening
PDF Document Settings
- In Edge, go to “Settings” > “Site permissions” > “PDF documents”
- Ensure “Always open PDF files externally” is On
- This setting ensures PDFs are downloaded rather than opened automatically in Edge
These settings give you control over the download behavior and help you stop auto open pdf after download edge completely.
How to Disable PDF Viewer in Edge Completely?
For users who want to completely disable Edge’s PDF viewing capabilities, there are more advanced methods:
Microsoft Edge Disable PDF Viewer
- Open Edge and type edge://flags in the address bar
- Search for “PDF”
- Find “Enable PDF viewer” and set it to “Disabled”
- Restart Edge for changes to take effect
Note: This method uses experimental features and may change with future Edge updates.
Registry Method (Advanced Users)
For complete control over microsoft edge disable pdf viewer:
- Press Windows + R and type regedit
- Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\AppXd4nrz8ff68srnhf9t5a8sbjyar1cr723
- Right-click and create new String Value named “NoOpenWith”
- Leave the value data empty
- Create another String Value named “NoStaticDefaultVerb”
- Leave the value data empty
Warning: Editing the registry can be dangerous. Always back up your registry before making changes.
This advanced method provides a more permanent solution to disable pdf viewer in edge and prevent it from opening PDFs under any circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Microsoft Edge keep making itself the default PDF viewer?
Microsoft Edge keeps making itself the default PDF viewer due to Windows and Edge updates that reset file associations to Microsoft defaults. This behavior is particularly common after major Windows updates or when Edge receives significant updates. Microsoft wants to promote its browser as the all-in-one solution, so it automatically sets Edge as the default for various file types, including PDFs. To prevent this, you need to both change the default app settings in Windows and modify Edge’s internal PDF handling settings.
How do I stop Edge from hijacking my PDF file associations?
To stop Edge from hijacking your PDF file associations, you need to take a multi-pronged approach. First, go to Windows Settings > Apps > Default apps and set your preferred PDF reader as the default for .pdf files. Then, open Edge and navigate to Settings > Site permissions > PDF documents and enable “Always open PDF files externally.” For added protection, open your preferred PDF reader (like Adobe Acrobat) and use its built-in “Set as Default PDF Handler” option. This combination of settings makes it much harder for Edge to take over your PDF associations.
Why are my downloaded PDFs automatically opening in Edge?
Your downloaded PDFs are automatically opening in Edge because of two main settings: Edge’s PDF document settings and Windows file associations. When Edge’s “Always open PDF files externally” setting is disabled, it opens PDFs directly in the browser. Additionally, if Edge is set as the default PDF viewer in Windows, downloaded PDFs will automatically open in Edge. To fix this, enable “Always open PDF files externally” in Edge settings and change your Windows default PDF viewer to your preferred application.
How do I make links inside PDFs open in my default browser instead of Edge?
To make links inside PDFs open in my default browser instead of Edge, you need to change settings within your PDF reader application. If you’re using Adobe Acrobat Reader, go to Edit > Preferences > Internet and ensure that “Display PDF in browser” is unchecked. Also, check your Windows default browser settings to make sure your preferred browser is set as the default. For Edge specifically, you can’t control how other applications handle links within PDFs, so the settings must be changed in the PDF reader application itself.
Why does Edge try to print PDFs automatically when I open them?
Edge sometimes tries to print PDFs automatically when you open them due to a setting or extension that triggers the print dialog. This can happen if you have a “print to PDF” virtual printer set as your default printer or if a browser extension is interfering with PDF handling. To fix this, check your default printer settings in Windows and ensure you have a physical printer or “Microsoft Print to PDF” set as default. Also, try opening Edge in an incognito window to see if an extension is causing the issue, and disable any suspicious extensions one by one.
Can I permanently prevent Edge from opening PDFs?
Yes, you can permanently prevent Edge from opening PDFs by combining several methods. First, change your Windows default PDF viewer to your preferred application. Then, enable “Always open PDF files externally” in Edge settings. For additional protection, use your PDF reader’s built-in “Set as Default PDF Handler” feature. If you’re comfortable with advanced settings, you can also modify the registry to prevent Edge from associating with PDF files. However, be aware that Windows or Edge updates might occasionally reset these settings, so you may need to check them periodically after major updates.
Conclusion
Taking control of microsoft edge open pdf automatically behavior is essential for a smooth computing experience. Whether you want to stop edge automatically open downloaded pdf files or understand why is my pdf opening in edge and not adobe, the solutions in this guide give you complete control over your PDF viewing experience.
By following the methods outlined above, you can successfully stop auto open pdf after download edge, learn how to make pdfs open in adobe not edge, and even microsoft edge disable pdf viewer completely. Remember that the most effective approach combines Edge settings with Windows default app configurations for the best results.
Take action today by implementing these solutions and enjoy a PDF viewing experience that matches your preferences and workflow. For more browser and software optimization tips, check out our guide on unable to open PDF files or learn about printing multiple PDFs efficiently.
