Are you tired of PDFs opening in Google Chrome instead of Adobe Acrobat? You’re not alone. Many users have reported this issue, and it can be frustrating, especially if you need to edit or annotate PDFs regularly. In this article, we’ll explore the reasons behind this behavior and provide solutions to help you open PDFs in Adobe Acrobat by default.
Understanding the Default PDF Viewer
To understand why PDFs are opening in Chrome instead of Adobe, let’s first look at how default PDF viewers are set on your computer. When you install Adobe Acrobat, it should set itself as the default PDF viewer. However, sometimes other applications like Google Chrome can take over as the default PDF viewer.
How Chrome Becomes the Default PDF Viewer
Chrome can become the default PDF viewer in several ways:
- During installation: When you install Chrome, it may ask if you want to set it as your default browser. If you agree, it may also set itself as the default PDF viewer.
- Through file associations: Chrome can associate itself with PDF files, making it the default application for opening PDFs.
- Through system settings: In some cases, Chrome may be set as the default PDF viewer through system settings, such as in the Windows Settings app or macOS Preferences.
Why You Should Use Adobe Acrobat as Your Default PDF Viewer
While Chrome can open PDFs, it’s not the best choice for several reasons:
- Limited functionality: Chrome’s PDF viewer is basic and lacks many features that Adobe Acrobat offers, such as editing, annotating, and signing PDFs.
- Security risks: Opening PDFs in Chrome can pose security risks, as malicious PDFs can exploit vulnerabilities in the browser.
- Compatibility issues: Some PDFs may not display correctly in Chrome, especially if they contain complex layouts or fonts.
Benefits of Using Adobe Acrobat
Adobe Acrobat offers many benefits over Chrome’s PDF viewer, including:
- Advanced editing features: Adobe Acrobat allows you to edit PDFs, including adding text, images, and other elements.
- Annotating and commenting: You can annotate and comment on PDFs, making it easier to collaborate with others.
- Signing and certifying: Adobe Acrobat allows you to sign and certify PDFs, making it easier to authenticate documents.
- Security features: Adobe Acrobat offers advanced security features, such as encryption and password protection.
Solutions to Open PDFs in Adobe Acrobat by Default
Now that we’ve explored the reasons behind Chrome opening PDFs instead of Adobe, let’s look at some solutions to set Adobe Acrobat as your default PDF viewer:
Method 1: Set Adobe Acrobat as the Default PDF Viewer Through System Settings
You can set Adobe Acrobat as the default PDF viewer through system settings:
- Windows:
- Go to the Windows Settings app.
- Click on “Apps” and then “Default apps.”
- Scroll down to “Choose default apps by file type.”
- Click on “.pdf” and select Adobe Acrobat from the list of available applications.
- macOS:
- Go to the Apple menu and select “System Preferences.”
- Click on “Launchpad” and then “Options.”
- Click on “Select Default Apps” and then “PDF.”
- Select Adobe Acrobat from the list of available applications.
Method 2: Set Adobe Acrobat as the Default PDF Viewer Through File Associations
You can also set Adobe Acrobat as the default PDF viewer through file associations:
- Windows:
- Right-click on a PDF file and select “Open with.”
- Click on “Choose another app” and then select Adobe Acrobat from the list of available applications.
- Check the box next to “Always use this app to open .pdf files.”
- macOS:
- Right-click on a PDF file and select “Get Info.”
- Click on the “Open with” dropdown menu and select Adobe Acrobat.
- Click on the “Change All” button to set Adobe Acrobat as the default PDF viewer for all PDF files.
Method 3: Disable Chrome’s PDF Viewer
If you don’t want to use Chrome’s PDF viewer at all, you can disable it:
- Chrome settings:
- Go to the Chrome menu and select “Settings.”
- Scroll down to the “Advanced” section and click on “Site settings.”
- Click on “PDF documents” and toggle off the switch next to “Download PDF files instead of automatically opening them in Chrome.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, PDFs opening in Chrome instead of Adobe Acrobat can be frustrating, but there are solutions to set Adobe Acrobat as your default PDF viewer. By understanding how default PDF viewers are set and the benefits of using Adobe Acrobat, you can take control of how you open and interact with PDFs. Whether you use system settings, file associations, or disable Chrome’s PDF viewer, you can ensure that PDFs open in Adobe Acrobat by default.
Why are my PDFs opening in Chrome instead of Adobe?
This issue is often caused by the default PDF viewer setting on your computer. When you install Adobe Acrobat, it should automatically set itself as the default PDF viewer. However, sometimes this setting can get changed, causing PDFs to open in Chrome instead. This can also happen if you have previously set Chrome as your default PDF viewer.
To resolve this issue, you need to change the default PDF viewer setting back to Adobe Acrobat. You can do this by going to your computer’s settings, finding the “Default apps” or “Default programs” section, and selecting Adobe Acrobat as the default PDF viewer.
How do I change the default PDF viewer on my computer?
To change the default PDF viewer on your computer, you need to access the “Default apps” or “Default programs” section in your computer’s settings. The exact steps may vary depending on your operating system. On Windows, you can go to the Start menu, click on “Settings,” and then select “Apps” and “Default apps.” On Mac, you can go to the Apple menu, click on “System Preferences,” and then select “Launchpad” and “Options.”
Once you are in the “Default apps” or “Default programs” section, look for the “PDF” or “Portable Document Format” option and select Adobe Acrobat as the default viewer. You may need to browse for the Adobe Acrobat application if it is not listed in the options. After making the change, PDFs should open in Adobe Acrobat instead of Chrome.
Can I set Adobe Acrobat as the default PDF viewer for all file types?
Yes, you can set Adobe Acrobat as the default PDF viewer for all file types. In addition to setting Adobe Acrobat as the default viewer for PDF files, you can also set it as the default viewer for other file types that Adobe Acrobat supports, such as FDF, XFDF, and XDP files.
To set Adobe Acrobat as the default viewer for all supported file types, you can go to the “Default apps” or “Default programs” section in your computer’s settings and look for the “Choose default apps by file type” or “Set default programs by file type” option. Then, select Adobe Acrobat as the default viewer for each file type that you want to open in Adobe Acrobat.
Why are PDFs still opening in Chrome after I set Adobe Acrobat as the default viewer?
If PDFs are still opening in Chrome after you set Adobe Acrobat as the default viewer, it may be because Chrome is set to handle PDF files internally. Chrome has a built-in PDF viewer that can be enabled or disabled in the Chrome settings.
To resolve this issue, you need to disable the built-in PDF viewer in Chrome. You can do this by typing “chrome://settings/content” in the Chrome address bar, scrolling down to the “PDF documents” section, and toggling off the switch next to “Open PDF files in the default PDF viewer application.”
How do I disable the built-in PDF viewer in Chrome?
To disable the built-in PDF viewer in Chrome, you need to access the Chrome settings. You can do this by typing “chrome://settings/content” in the Chrome address bar or by clicking on the three vertical dots in the top right corner of the Chrome browser window and selecting “Settings.”
Once you are in the Chrome settings, scroll down to the “PDF documents” section and toggle off the switch next to “Open PDF files in the default PDF viewer application.” This will disable the built-in PDF viewer in Chrome and cause PDFs to open in the default PDF viewer application, which should be Adobe Acrobat.
Can I set Adobe Acrobat as the default PDF viewer for a specific website?
No, you cannot set Adobe Acrobat as the default PDF viewer for a specific website. The default PDF viewer setting is a system-wide setting that applies to all PDF files, regardless of the website they are opened from.
However, you can configure your browser to open PDF files from a specific website in Adobe Acrobat. For example, in Chrome, you can right-click on a PDF link and select “Open in Adobe Acrobat” to open the PDF file in Adobe Acrobat instead of the built-in PDF viewer.
Will setting Adobe Acrobat as the default PDF viewer affect other file types?
No, setting Adobe Acrobat as the default PDF viewer will not affect other file types. The default PDF viewer setting only applies to PDF files and will not affect other file types, such as Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, or image files.
However, if you set Adobe Acrobat as the default viewer for other file types that it supports, such as FDF, XFDF, or XDP files, it may affect how those file types are opened. But it will not affect file types that are not supported by Adobe Acrobat.