How do I stop Edge from opening PDF files?

Anonymous
2020-04-16T12:40:17+00:00

How do I stop Microsoft edge from opening? everytime I do the system performance check from dell it sets up Microsoft edge to open PDF files and I have my own program I use, however I cant set it as my default program.... 

* Original title: Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge | Read PDFs | Windows 10

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Anonymous
2020-04-17T08:41:58+00:00

Hi,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.

We understand your concern as you would like to change the default app for PDF file from Edge to Adobe.

In this scenario, we would suggest you to perform these methods and check.

Method 1: Change the setting for Apps

  1. Press Windows + I key to launch Windows Settings.
  2. Click on Apps and select Default apps from the left pane.
  3. Now scroll down and click on Choose default apps by file type.
  4. Scroll and look for .pdf, .pdxml, and .pdx file type, then click on the + sign to change it to Adobe Reader.

Method 2: Stop opening PDF file if you are using New Edge Chromium.

  1. Open Microsoft Edge
  2. Click on the three dots (…) from the right top corner.
  3. Select Settings from the drop down and click on Site permissions from the left pane.
  4. Scroll down and click on PDF documents, Toggle the switch to On for Always open PDF files externally.

Notes: If the Always open PDF files externally is on then if you try to open any online PDF document, it will prompt you to download and later you can use Adobe Reader to view.

Regards,

Aditya Roy

Microsoft Community – Moderator

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Anonymous
2020-08-14T08:06:25+00:00

Adobe Acrobat professional is not changing the default app.  

It was in 2018 that Windows tightened up the file association protection measures that you seem to be running into. I can't find documentation for this, but versions newer than Acrobat Pro DC 18 shouldn't be doing this. It's likely that Acrobat Pro 2017 writes to registry keys that only users are allowed to change (by using the default apps settings available).

Could it be that you're using an older version of Acrobat?

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-08-13T17:11:45+00:00

    I just don't get it.  It's not like Edge is a real competitor with Acrobat.  Its not even in the same ballpark as Acrobat.  Stealing our files to be used in a lame program without any real functionality just pisses people off, and gives Microsoft a black eye.  That type of activity is not making any converts to Edge.  If they want to steal our files, then at least give us a pdf editor that has close to the capabilities of Acrobat.

    I have tried going into the bowels of Windows to see if I can delete or just cripple Edge so it cant run, but I have yet to find the right files to delete.  Plus, that may not help.  It could still steal the pdf extension but then not be able to run.

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-08-13T16:48:05+00:00

    This "New Edge"  man does it really want to take things over. 

    Have a client that no matter what, EDGE keeps hijacking things.  Going to rip this goo out with a buzzsaw and block any further installations.

    Edge is good for one thing and one thing only.  To download Chrome.

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-08-11T21:55:19+00:00

    I do these a lot as well. It's so frustrating already. :(

    I think I found a way to stop this.  If you go to the Microsoft Edge web page, you can download the latest version of Edge.  This latest version allows you to uninstall Edge, previous versions would not let users uninstall it.  So download and install the latest version. Then uninstall Edge.  I did that a day or two ago, and I have not had that problem since.  Its like a giant burden has been taken off my shoulders.

    Update after 2 days:

    It turns out that deleting Edge from your computer using Programs and Features is just a Hoax by Microsoft.  Edge shows up in Programs and Features, and you can delete it from there, so it no longer shows up, so you think that you have deleted it, but that is just a scam.  Edge is still on your computer, but now its hidden so you can't see it.  It will still take away your control of opening PDF files.  So we are still forced to keep changing the default program for pdf's several times a day.

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