How can I force Windows 11 to open pdfs in Acrobat?

Question

Windows 11 allows the user to open pdfs by default in Acrobat, except when they are downloaded from the Web. Then it appears to be hardwired to open in Microsoft Edge. I want to open all my pdfs in Acrobat. How can I override this Microsoft-induced outrage?

susanb49829 · Accepted Answer

Thank you!!! The step I missed was in settings!  Fixed my problem up - though it took many times selecting Adobe as the default over Edge before it finally stuck. The last time I had a delay between selecting Adobe and then clicking "set as default" (because I was taking screen shots to send to IT help). Good luck all from getting out of the grips of MS!

Chris 486 · Answer

If you are using edge for your browser you can do 2 things.

1.) Goto edge settings

2.) select cookies and permissions form the sidebar and then select pdf documents

3.) check Always download PDF files.

Additionally open you download panel in edge, right click on a pdf file and select "Always open with system viewer" you may need to restart edge after selecting it for it to take effect. This will then open you're pdf's in reader/acrobat

make sure you have acrobact as your default viewer for files in windows 11 as well.

That is is settings >apps >deafult apps.

Hope that helps!

-Chris

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