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OIT Managed Desktop Support Service: Change Default PDF Viewer in Windows 10

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11.0 - Updated on 2025-06-09 by Therman Cherry

10.0 - Updated on 2025-06-09 by Therman Cherry

9.0 - Updated on 2024-10-15 by Darrick Bremner

8.0 - Updated on 2024-05-07 by Darrick Bremner

7.0 - Updated on 2024-03-27 by Therman Cherry

6.0 - Updated on 2024-03-27 by Therman Cherry

5.0 - Updated on 2024-03-27 by Therman Cherry

4.0 - Updated on 2023-07-03 by Darrick Bremner

3.0 - Updated on 2022-07-19 by Darrick Bremner

2.0 - Updated on 2021-06-10 by Chadwick Seagraves

1.0 - Authored on 2019-05-09 by Chadwick Seagraves

 

 

 

Change Default PDF Viewer in Windows 10

This how to change your default pdf viewer.

 

Table of Contents

 

 

 

 

Information

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Escalation

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By default Windows 10 attempts to open Adobe .pdf files with its Edge browser instead of Adobe Acrobat.

In order to disable Microsoft Edge's PDF feature, you need to change the file association, which you can do with the following steps.  There are two processes listed below. Choose which is easier for you. 

 Using the Settings app

1. Press and hold the <Windows logo key> and press the X key –or- right-click the Start button to bring up the Quick Menu, then left click Settings.

2. Click on Apps.
3. Click on Default apps.
4. Click the Choose default apps by file type link.
 
 
5. Scroll down and find .pdf (PDF File), and click the button on the right side, which is likely to read "Microsoft Edge."
6. Select your app from the list to set it as the new default.
 
image of the default app selection window with Acrobat DC selected 
 
7. Click the Switch anyway link to confirm the change.
 
 
 
Once you completed the steps, Microsoft Edge will no longer open PDF files by default in the web browser.
 

Using the file context menu

Alternatively, you can quickly make another app as your default PDF reader, using the following steps:
 
1. Right-click a PDF file.
2. Select Open With.
3. Click on Choose another app.
 
 
 
4. Select the PDF application you want to use. Adobe Acrobat in our instance.
5. Check the Always use this app to open .pdf files option.
 
 
 
6. Click OK.
 
If you don't see the app you want to use in the list, click the More apps link at the bottom of the list. You can also click the Look for another app on this PC to find the PDF application you want to set as default.

 





Title: Change Default PDF Viewer in Windows 10

Service: : IT Service Delivery & Support 

Template if applicable: 

Assignment Group(s): Managed_Desktop_Support 

Document Owner: : Darrek Bremner 

Available Priorities: Critical, High, Medium, Low 

Keywords: windows 10,  Adobe, Acrobat, DC, PDF viewer, default pdf, change PDF settings, OIT Managed Desktop Service

 

Revised by Therman Cherry
Last modified 2024-03-27 13:41:05