How to Make PDF Files Open in Acrobat Instead of Internet Explorer
Question details
The user wants to configure their system so that PDF documents open directly in Adobe Acrobat rather than launching in a web browser like Internet Explorer.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat / Internet Explorer
- Device & OS
- Windows Server 2012 R2
- Scenario
- Opening PDF files in a Windows remote desktop environment.
- Observed behavior
- PDF files are defaulting to Internet Explorer instead of Acrobat 2017, and disabling the browser add-on does not resolve the issue.
Ensure that your preferred PDF reader is fully installed on your system and that you have the necessary administrator privileges to change default application settings.
Change the Default PDF Viewer via File Properties
The quickest way to resolve this issue is by manually changing the default 'Opens with' program directly from the file's properties menu.
This method updates the Windows registry to associate the .pdf extension with your chosen application, bypassing the browser entirely.
Locate any PDF file on your computer, right-click it, and select 'Properties' from the bottom of the context menu.
In the General tab, look for the 'Opens with:' section and click the 'Change...' button located next to the current application name.
Choose Adobe Acrobat (or your preferred PDF reader) from the list of available applications. If it is not immediately visible, click 'More apps' to find it.
Click 'OK' or 'Apply' to save your new settings. All PDF files should now open in your selected application.
Configure File Associations in Windows Default Apps
If changing the file properties does not work, you can force the association through the Windows Control Panel or Settings.
Use WPS Office as Your Default PDF Reader
Tired of browser-based PDF viewers? WPS Office includes a fast, lightweight, and feature-rich PDF reader that seamlessly handles your documents. You can easily set it as your default PDF application to completely bypass Internet Explorer.
- 1. Download and Install: Download the free WPS Office suite from the official website and run the installer.
- 2. Open the PDF tools: Launch the WPS Office application and click on the 'PDF' tab on the main dashboard.
- 3. Set as Default PDF Reader: Go to the settings menu within WPS PDF and look for the option to 'Set as Default PDF Reader', then confirm your choice in the system dialog.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my PDFs keep reverting to open in a web browser?
This often happens after Windows system updates or browser updates that reset default file associations. You may need to manually reassign your preferred PDF reader in the Windows Default Apps settings to override the system reset.
Can I stop Internet Explorer from opening PDFs without changing my default app?
You can disable the PDF reader add-on within Internet Explorer's 'Manage Add-ons' menu. However, if IE is still set as the overall Windows system default for .pdf files, you will simply be prompted to download the file instead of viewing it. Changing the default application is the only permanent fix.
How do I change the default PDF viewer on newer systems like Windows 10 or 11?
The process is very similar: right-click any PDF file on your computer, select 'Properties', click 'Change' next to 'Opens with', choose your preferred PDF application from the list, and click 'OK'.
