Why can I not change my default .pdf app to anything other than Microsoft Edge?

Anonymous
2024-04-29T11:48:46+00:00

I follow the steps (via Settings) and no change. I try to open Adobe Reader and it will not open on my PC. I see from a search that this is not a new issue and it's frustrating. This feels predatory and proprietary - forcing us to use Microsoft products. I'm thinking of stopping my personal subscription and moving to another option.

Microsoft Edge | Read PDFs | Windows 11

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  1. Paulo GM 72,400 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2024-04-29T13:00:04+00:00

    Hi Karen, I am Paulo and I'd like to help.

    I'm sorry to hear that you're experiencing issues with setting a different default PDF viewer. Have you checked Edge settings if it is configured to open PDF files within the browser?

    Go to Edge Settings > Cookies and site permissions > PDF Documents and ensure "Always download PDF files" is enabled.

    I also suggest checking Edge Settings > Downloads and ensure "Ask me what to do with each download" is enabled.

    Once it is configured, right-click on a PDF file > Properties > Change... > Choose Adobe Acrobat > Set default.

    If in case, Adobe still doesn't open, I recommend reinstalling the app to make sure it is working properly and updated.

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-04-29T18:41:23+00:00

    I have this same issue and this answer does not resolve it. I have reinstalled adobe and it still does the same thing. I go into default apps and attempt to change it from edge to adobe and nothing happens. I go into app properties and try to change it there. I also went into the application pdf handler and tried to change it there. It doesn't even register that you made the change. It just constantly says edge.

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  3. Anonymous
    2024-04-29T19:17:36+00:00

    I had to kill all msEdge.exe instances from the Task Manager, and it finally let me. Using Edge 124.02478.67 64-bit.

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  5. Anonymous
    2024-04-29T22:28:52+00:00

    I did what Paolo suggested and it didn't work, BUT after I followed his steps I was able to at least set the default program to Google Chrome THEN it let me switch to Adobe and it worked. I just couldn't go straight from Microsoft Edge to Adobe. Highly predatory practices of Microsoft strikes again!

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