How to Stop Publisher Files from Automatically Opening as PDFs
Question details
The user wants to prevent Microsoft Publisher documents from automatically opening in Adobe Acrobat or converting to PDF when clicked.
- Product
- Microsoft Publisher / Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Attempting to open Microsoft Publisher (.pub) files from the Windows file explorer.
- Observed behavior
- Publisher files are improperly associated with Adobe Acrobat, causing them to open as PDFs instead of launching in Microsoft Publisher.
Ensure that Microsoft Publisher is actively installed on your computer, as you will need the application available to reassign the default file association.
Change the Default App for Publisher Files in Windows Settings
Reassign the .pub file extension in Windows Settings to ensure files open directly with Microsoft Publisher instead of Adobe Acrobat.
Windows relies on default app settings to determine which program should handle specific file extensions. If this association gets changed by a new software installation or an update, .pub files may default to a PDF viewer.
Press the Windows key + I on your keyboard to open the Windows Settings menu.
Click on 'Apps' from the main settings menu, then select 'Default apps' from the left-hand sidebar.
Scroll down and click on the 'Choose default apps by file type' link located near the bottom of the page.
Scroll through the alphabetical list of file extensions on the left side until you find '.pub'.
Click on the current default app (likely Adobe Acrobat) next to '.pub' and select Microsoft Publisher from the pop-up list to apply the change.
Change File Association using the 'Open With' Menu
A quick alternative method to fix the file association directly from the file explorer without navigating through Windows Settings.
Experience a Seamless and Lightweight Office Suite with WPS Office
While Microsoft Publisher handles specific layout tasks, everyday document management shouldn't be complicated by confusing file associations. WPS Office is a powerful, free alternative to Microsoft Office that provides robust tools for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and PDF editing in one unified application.
- 1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS website to download the free installer and follow the quick setup wizard.
- 2. Open Your Existing Files: Easily open your existing .docx, .xlsx, .pptx, and .pdf files directly within the unified WPS dashboard.
- 3. Enjoy Integrated PDF Tools: Use the built-in PDF tools for reading and converting without relying on heavy third-party software that alters your system associations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my Publisher files suddenly open in Adobe Acrobat?
This usually happens if Adobe Acrobat or a similar PDF viewer was recently installed, updated, or set as the default application for multiple file types, inadvertently taking over the .pub file extension.
Can I intentionally convert a Publisher file to a PDF?
Yes, you can manually convert a Publisher file to PDF by opening it in Microsoft Publisher, clicking 'File', selecting 'Export', and choosing 'Create PDF/XPS Document'.
What if Microsoft Publisher is not listed in the 'Open with' menu?
If Publisher doesn't appear in the list, click 'More apps' or 'Look for another app on this PC', then navigate to the Microsoft Office installation folder (typically C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16) and select 'MSPUB.EXE'.
Will fixing the default app alter my existing Publisher documents?
No, changing the default app only tells Windows which program to use when opening the file. It does not alter, convert, or damage the contents or layout of your existing .pub documents.
