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pilotjim77
pilotjim77
New Participant
February 9, 2017
Answered

PDF icons changed to Chrome icons on Winows OS

  • February 9, 2017
  • 7 replies
  • 642344 views

All of my PDF files have had their icons changed to Chrome icons.  The files no longer open with Acrobat Reader....they now open through the Chrome browser.  I'm not sure what caused this.  The only thing I can think of is that my girlfriend was on my computer renaming a PDF when I noticed a popup that asked something about file extension or destination.  I tried to tell her not to hit the "yes" button, but I was too late.  I'm not sure if this has anything to do with the problem.  Can anyone help me to get the icons changed back to PDF icons?

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer ~graffiti

    You need to reset your file associations so that your system uses Reader to open pdf files. It's pretty easy to do but varies from one OS to the other. You can google the information on resetting file associations and find instructions or you could let us know what OS you are using and we can let you know how to do it.

    7 replies

    L
    legalbeagle05
    New Participant
    October 21, 2017

    Super easiest method, of course. Thanks:

    Right click any PDF on the desktop > Open with > Choose another app > Select Acrobat > check "Always use this app to open .pdf files"

      D
      dawnwatcher1
      Participating Frequently
      August 29, 2017

      I have the same problem with pdf files opening in Chrome. I tried changing the setting in Chrome to use the default program but it still continued to open in Chrome (even though Acrobat was the default program). I gave up, uninstalled Chrome  and used Opera. Despite this, the same problem exists except now it tells me Chrome needs updating! If I use File Manager to list th files it shows pdf files with the Chrome icon. By selecting the default program to open & selecting Acrobat all is fine until next reboot.Windows 7 Ultimate, 64 bit. ANy help greatly appreciated. Thx.

      A
      Anonymous
      May 19, 2017

      On Windows 10, here is what you need to do (tested and verified):

      • Right click on the PDF file
      • Open with...
      • Choose another application
      • Select Adobe Acrobat Reader (or any other application you are looking for)
      • Tick the box "Always use this application by default)
      • OK

      Then:

      • close all your "Explorer" windows.
      • [Ctrl] + [Shift] + [Esc] (Tasks monitor if you prefer)
      • Search for the remaining "Explorer" processus.
      • Restart the processus

      DONE ! If you go back to your folder where you had that PDF file with the Chrome icon, it will now display the usual PDF one.

        MK1625
        MK1625
        New Participant
        June 23, 2017

        Thank you!!  It worked.

        D
        Derek_Is_My_Name
        New Participant
        February 24, 2017

        This worked for me (link below). I didn't bother with pinning to start menu though.

        Just removed the shortcuts in C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs then found the exe's (I had three applications that Chrome took over) and put the new ones in there. Worked no problem. Hope this helps.

        Icon Adobe Reader DC on taskbar is wrong - Super User

          ABeldecos
          ABeldecos
          New Participant
          February 16, 2017

          This just happened to me when I changed to Chrome for my default browser from IE. All the PDF icons changed to Chrome icons and the files would open in Chrome.

          To set Chrome as default, I used "Control Panel>Default Programs>Set Your Default Programs". This was after the Windows 10 Action Center "All Settings>System>Default Apps" method would not set Chrome as default.

          To solve the icon issue I did a right click on any PDF file, picked "Open With>Choose Another App>selected Acrobat(or Reader)>checked the "always use this app for pdf". I then had to do a restart and all was good again.

          Not sure if this is a Windows, Chrome, or Adobe issue...and if they are asked I bet any one of them will point the finger at one of the other two as the cause!

            ~graffiti
            ~graffiti
            Legend
            February 16, 2017

            Chrome issue. And I don't work for any of those companies.

              pilotjim77
              pilotjim77Author
              New Participant
              February 9, 2017

              Thank you so much!  I will google resetting file associations.  It is Windows 10 btw.

                ~graffiti
                ~graffiti
                Legend
                February 9, 2017

                http://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/how-to-set-default-programs-and-file-types-in-windows-10/

                  P
                  Prophet2018
                  New Participant
                  December 21, 2017

                  I HAVE WINDOWS  PREMIUM 7 DESKTOP.     HOW DO I GET THE UNDERLINE FROM MY APPS ON MY DESKTOP

                  ~graffiti
                  ~graffitiCorrect answer
                  Legend
                  February 9, 2017

                  You need to reset your file associations so that your system uses Reader to open pdf files. It's pretty easy to do but varies from one OS to the other. You can google the information on resetting file associations and find instructions or you could let us know what OS you are using and we can let you know how to do it.

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