Windows 10: How to change the default app for .pdf files

I'll use F as shorthand for one of my .pdf apps. I'll use P as shorthand for the other .pdf app. I prefer not to use the names of apps that compete with one another. P is currently the default app for .pdf files. I want to change the default to F.Then I scroll down the list of default file types to .pdf.Thanks for your help.SweetTasha.

:)

 

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.

 

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

I would like to change the default app for .pdf files, but I can't.

By default it's the edge browser and I want Drawboard to be the default app for .pdf files.

I can select Drawboard in the settings, but it doesn't change.