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How to Change the Default App for Opening PDF Files

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 877 views

Question details

The user wants to set a preferred PDF application to automatically open PDF files and PDF hyperlinks, rather than having them open in File Explorer or a default web browser.

Product: PDF Viewer
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Opening local PDF files or clicking PDF hyperlinks.
Observed behavior: PDF files and hyperlinks are currently opening in File Explorer or the default web browser instead of the user's preferred PDF viewer.

Before you start

Ensure that your preferred PDF viewer (such as WPS Office or Adobe Acrobat) is already downloaded and installed on your device before attempting to set it as the default application.

Solution 1Recommended

Set Default PDF Viewer via System Settings

Use the system's Default Apps settings to associate the .pdf file extension with your preferred PDF reader.

By default, some operating systems route PDF files to default web browsers or native file explorers. Modifying the file association directly in system settings ensures that all local PDFs open in your dedicated PDF software.

Open System Settings

Click on the Start menu and select the 'Settings' gear icon, or press the Win + I shortcut on your keyboard.

Navigate to Apps

Click on 'Apps' from the main Settings menu, then select 'Default apps' from the sidebar.

Search for the PDF File Type

Scroll down and click on 'Choose default apps by file type', or use the search bar provided in the Default apps menu to search for '.pdf'.

Select Your Preferred App

Click on the current default application listed next to '.pdf' and select your preferred PDF viewer from the dropdown list.

Hyperlink Behavior: Hyperlinks normally open in your default web browser. To change how PDF hyperlinks behave, you may need to adjust your specific browser's PDF handling settings or change your default web browser entirely.

Free PDF Viewer & Editor

Make WPS Office Your Default PDF Viewer

WPS Office includes a fast, lightweight, and feature-rich PDF reader. You can easily view, edit, and annotate PDF files by setting WPS Office as your default PDF application.

1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office on your computer from the official website.
2. Launch the Application: Open WPS Office and navigate to the 'PDF' tab from the home screen.
3. Access Settings: Click on the global Settings menu (usually a gear icon) and select 'Settings'.
4. Set as Default: Locate the 'Set as Default PDF Reader' option and click it to automatically associate .pdf files with WPS PDF.

Set as your default PDF viewer with one click from within the appFully compatible with standard PDF documents and Adobe Acrobat filesIncludes free annotation, commenting, and reading toolsLightweight design ensures fast loading of large PDF files

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my PDFs keep opening in Microsoft Edge?

Microsoft Edge is the default PDF viewer in Windows 10 and 11. If you haven't installed a third-party PDF reader or haven't manually changed the file associations in your Default Apps settings, Windows will continue using Edge to open .pdf files.

How do I stop PDF hyperlinks from opening in my browser?

Web browsers often have built-in PDF viewers. To stop this, open your browser settings (e.g., in Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site Settings > Additional content settings > PDF documents) and toggle the option to download PDFs instead of automatically opening them in the browser.

Can I set a default PDF viewer by right-clicking a file?

Yes. Right-click any PDF file, select 'Open with', and then choose 'Choose another app'. Select your preferred PDF application from the list, check the box that says 'Always use this app to open .pdf files', and click OK.

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