File Cannot Open

Fix Embedded PDFs Not Opening in Word with Edge or Nitro Pro

Elise Williams Oct 7, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users are unable to open PDF files embedded within Word documents when using Microsoft Edge or Nitro Pro as the default PDF application, although it works fine with Adobe Reader.

How to Fix Embedded PDFs Not Opening in Word with Edge or Nitro Pro

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to double-click and open an embedded PDF icon from within a Microsoft Word document.
Observed behavior: The embedded PDF fails to launch or open if the system's default PDF viewer is set to Microsoft Edge or Nitro Pro.

Before you start

Verify your current default PDF application in your system settings and ensure both Microsoft Word and your PDF reader are updated to their latest builds.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify Embedding Method and Test Office Build

Confirming how the PDF was inserted and checking the Office version helps isolate if the issue is with the document, the OLE object, or the default application handler.

Microsoft Word relies on OLE (Object Linking and Embedding) to open inserted files. If a file was embedded incorrectly or if there's a bug in a specific Office build, it may prevent non-Adobe PDF readers from launching the file properly.

Check the Word Version

Open Microsoft Word, navigate to 'File' in the top-left corner, and select 'Account'. Take note of the version and build number under 'Product Information' to check for any pending updates.

Re-embed the PDF File

Go to the 'Insert' tab on the ribbon, click on 'Object' in the Text group, and select 'Create from File'.

Display as Icon

Browse to select your PDF file, check the 'Display as icon' box, and click 'OK'. Double-click the newly inserted icon to see if it now opens with Edge or Nitro Pro.

Verify Embedding Method and Test Office Build

Testing Isolation: Testing this fresh embedding method on the exact same Office build helps determine if the original document was corrupted.

Solution 2

Change the Default PDF Application to Adobe Reader

Since Adobe Reader has native OLE integration with Microsoft Office, setting it as the default temporarily resolves the opening issue.

Solution 3

Repair Microsoft Office Installation

Repairing the Office suite can fix broken registry keys related to Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) handlers.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Use WPS Office to Seamlessly Handle Word and PDF Documents

If Microsoft Word continues to struggle with opening embedded PDF objects via Edge or Nitro Pro, consider switching to WPS Office. It natively integrates word processing and PDF reading into a single, lightweight application, eliminating complex OLE handler issues.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free WPS Office suite.
2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open the document containing the embedded PDF files.
3. View Embedded Files: Double-click the embedded PDF; WPS will seamlessly open it in a new native PDF tab.

Built-in PDF reader and editor without relying on third-party handlersFully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx, .doc) and OLE objectsFree, lightweight, and features a familiar tabbed interfaceSeamless migration of all your existing Office files

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do embedded PDFs only open with Adobe Reader and not Edge?

Microsoft Word relies on OLE (Object Linking and Embedding) to open embedded attachments. Adobe Reader installs specific registry keys that perfectly integrate with Office's OLE system. Browsers like Microsoft Edge often lack these specific OLE handlers, causing the launch to fail.

Can I extract an embedded PDF if it refuses to open?

Yes. If the embedded PDF won't open, you can save your Word document (.docx) to your desktop, rename the file extension from .docx to .zip, and extract it. Look inside the 'word' > 'embeddings' folder to find and extract the original PDF file directly.

Is it better to insert PDFs as objects or links in Word?

If you want the document to be standalone and self-contained so that anyone can open the PDF, embedding it as an object is best. If the PDF is large or frequently updated, inserting it as a link is better, as it keeps the Word document's file size small and ensures the content is always up to date.

Document & File Issues