Windows 10: Cant change default app to open .pdf files

I am trying to set adobe acrobat as default program to open .pdf files. I have adobe pdf reader installed on my PC. I right click .pdf file. It has Opens With: listed as Microsoft Edge. I click the change button then select Adobe Acrobat and hit select default button, but nothing happens. Microsoft Edge remails as a default program. I think this is a bug. Can you fix it?

:)

 

Not able to set default opening app to Adobe PDF 8.1 on pdf files

Hello,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community forum.

1. Which update was installed on the computer?
   

There are few reasons that can be considered as to why you are having issues with preferred default applications on the device. It can be because of an update that was installed on the computer. Kindly follow the below steps and
make the necessary changes to resolve the issue.



Step 1: Change default apps through control Panel.

• Open Control Panel by typing Control Panel in Start menu and then press
  Enter key.
  
• Change the Control Panel View by to Small icons. Click
  Default Programs to open Default Programs window.
  
• Select the first option- Set your default programs.
  
• In the left-pane, select your web browser or any other program that you want to set as your default program.
  
• Once you select a program or app, you will see
  Set this program as default option on the right-side. Click set this program as default option to set it as default.
  

Step 2: To choose default apps by File type in Settings.

• Open Settings > Click on
  Apps > Select Default apps from the left pane.
  
• Click on Choose default apps by file type option from the bottom of the right pane.
  
• Click on Choose a default option and choose an app to always open the file type with by default.
  

Additional Information: You may have to go through the article on

Make Acrobat or Reader the default owner of PDF files on Windows 10.

Hope it helps.

Regards,

Mala.S

Microsoft Community – Moderator

 

Can't change default app for .pdf files

Hi there!

I'm assuming that you've already tried changing the default app for .pdf files through the option called 'Choose default apps by file type' under
Settings > System > Default Apps.

After selecting Drawboard as your default app for .pdf files, does it show Drawboard right away or does it go back to Microsoft Edge after closing the Settings window and/or after opening a .pdf file, it opens up Microsoft Edge instead?

If changing it under the 'Choose default apps by file type' under Settings > System > Default Apps still doesn't work, I would recommend doing what we call the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) scan on your
computer which would refresh any corrupted windows components (e.g. Settings App, File Explorer, etc.)

You can do it by doing the following:

• Press Win + X on your keyboard
• Select Command Prompt (Admin)
• Type dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

It can take some time before it finishes but after the scan, please do reboot your PC and try again.

Please let us know how it goes.

 

Open PDF files in Adobe Acrobat Reader instead of browser

Hello Kelly,

Thank you for your quick response.

I followed all your steps, but it didn't change anything:

1. I followed the steps for the settings in Acrobat Reader. Basically I think it is the same as setting the default app in the Windows Settings, but I tried it all the same. However it didn't resolve the issue.
   
2. To change the default app using the properties of a file is usually the first thing I do. In the properties it shows that it should open PDF file with Acrobat reader.
   
3. In Edge The PDF option a second pane with 2 options: "Always download PDF files" and "PDF view settings". Both options are on.
   
4. In Chrome I would assume the setting you mention should be toggled on. In my Chrome browser I have two options which are mutually exclusive: "Download PDF' s" and "Open PDF's in Chrome". The setting "Download PDF' s" is active.
   
5. In Firefox I changed the setting, but it did not resolve the issue.
   

Do you have any other suggestions?