Fix File Share Links Not Working in Acrobat Chrome Extension
Question details
Users are unable to open local file:// network share links embedded in PDFs when viewing them through the Adobe Acrobat Chrome extension.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Chrome Extension
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Accessing and viewing PDFs stored in SharePoint using the Google Chrome browser equipped with the Acrobat extension.
- Observed behavior
- Clicking on local network share links (file://) triggers a prompt but fails to open the target file, even though the same links work perfectly when the PDF is opened in the desktop application.
Verify whether the non-functional links are standard HTTP/HTTPS web links or local file:// network paths, as modern web browsers heavily restrict local file access for security reasons.
Open the PDF Using a Desktop Application
Bypass browser security limitations by opening the document directly in a desktop PDF reader.
Modern web browsers like Google Chrome intentionally block web pages and extensions from executing local file:// links. This is a crucial security measure designed to prevent malicious websites from accessing your computer's local files. Desktop applications are not restricted by web browser security sandboxes.
From your SharePoint site, download the PDF file to your local computer instead of viewing it directly in the browser window.
Locate the downloaded PDF in your file explorer, right-click the file, and select 'Open with' > Adobe Acrobat (or your preferred desktop PDF reader).
Click the file share links within the desktop application. The links should now successfully route to your local network share.
Replace Local Paths with Web-Based Links
Modify the original PDF document to use standard web URLs (HTTPS) instead of local network paths.
Modify Enterprise Browser Policies
Allow specific trusted intranet sites to open local file links using Chrome Enterprise policies.
Read and Edit PDFs Securely with WPS Office
Instead of relying on browser extensions that restrict local file links, you can use the WPS Office desktop application to open your SharePoint PDFs smoothly. WPS Office handles complex PDF interactions, including network file shares, without triggering browser security blocks.
- 1. Download and Install WPS Office: Get the free WPS Office suite from the official website and install it on your computer.
- 2. Set as Default PDF Reader: Go to your system settings or right-click any PDF file, select 'Properties', and set WPS Office as the default application for handling PDFs.
- 3. Download PDF from SharePoint: Save the PDF document from your SharePoint site to your local hard drive.
- 4. Open and Access Links: Double-click the PDF to open it natively in WPS Office. You can now click on any file:// link to securely access your network share.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Chrome extension block file:// links by default?
Modern web browsers restrict web pages and extensions from accessing local file paths (file://) to prevent malicious websites and scripts from reading or executing sensitive data on your computer's local drive or network.
Can I force the Acrobat Chrome Extension to open local links as a standard user?
Generally, no. Browser security policies enforce strict isolation. While IT administrators can deploy specific enterprise group policies to whitelist intranet sites, standard users cannot bypass this limitation directly within the browser extension.
Do HTTPS links work in the Acrobat extension?
Yes. Standard web links (HTTP/HTTPS) pointing to web servers, SharePoint, or OneDrive function normally within the Acrobat Chrome extension and will not trigger the local file security block.
