links opening on wrong browser

[muhamed_7637]

I click on hyperlinks inside the pdf but Microsoft edge opens it instead of my defult browser Chrome.
I already sat chrome as the defult opener for HTTP and HTTPS.

[creative explorer · Accepted solution]

@muhamed_7637 this isn't an uncommon issue, as PDF readers sometimes have their own internal settings or quirks that override system defaults, leading to this kind of unexpected browser launch! Acrobat often has its own browser preferences that can override your Windows settings.

• Open Adobe Acrobat Pro.

• Go to Edit > Preferences (or Acrobat > Preferences on macOS).

• In the Preferences window, look for a category like "Internet" or "General".

• Within that section, you might find options related to "Web Browser Options," "Display PDF in browser," or even a specific setting that dictates which browser to use for opening links. Make sure nothing here is specifically pointing to Edge or overriding your system default. Sometimes, unticking a "Display PDF in browser" option can also influence how external links are handled, even if it seems counter-intuitive.

  

Double Check Chrome's Default Status (Even if You Think It's Set)

• Go to Windows Settings (Windows key + I).

• Click on Apps > Default apps.

• Scroll down and click on Google Chrome.

• Review all the file types and link types that Chrome is set as default for, especially HTTP, HTTPS, and URL. If you see any that are not set to Chrome, click on them and explicitly choose Chrome.

[AnandSri · Accepted solution]

Hello @james_9091

I hope you are doing well, and we are sorry for the delayed response and for the trouble.

Thanks for sharing your experience. If your default browser is set to Microsoft Edge, but hyperlinks from PDFs are still opening in Google Chrome, this behavior is likely due to how Windows handles URL protocols or how Acrobat is configured to launch links.

Confirm Default Browser Settings in Windows

Even if Edge is set as your default browser, double-check that all relevant protocols are assigned correctly:

• Go to Settings > Apps > Default apps.
• Scroll down and click on Microsoft Edge.
• Ensure that HTTP, HTTPS, and .htm/.html file types are all set to open with Edge.

2. Check Acrobat’s Link Handling Behavior

Acrobat uses the system’s default browser to open hyperlinks. However, if a third-party browser extension or PDF handler is interfering, it may override this behavior. Try:

• Disabling any browser extensions that interact with PDFs.
• Opening the PDF in Acrobat (not in-browser) and clicking the link again.

3. Avoid Opening PDFs in Chrome

If you’re viewing the PDF in Chrome, links will open in Chrome regardless of your system settings. To ensure Acrobat respects your default browser:

• Download the PDF and open it directly in Adobe Acrobat or Acrobat Reader.

4. Update Acrobat

Make sure you’re using the latest version of Acrobat:

• Open Acrobat > Menu> Help > Check for Updates. Restart the machine after installing the latest build, and try again.

You can also try the suggesions from the Adobe article: https://adobe.ly/3JrWUEj

I hope this helps.

Thanks,

Anand Sri.

Meet Acrobat Studio

[creative explorer · Accepted solution]

@muhamed_7637 this isn't an uncommon issue, as PDF readers sometimes have their own internal settings or quirks that override system defaults, leading to this kind of unexpected browser launch! Acrobat often has its own browser preferences that can override your Windows settings.

• Open Adobe Acrobat Pro.

• Go to Edit > Preferences (or Acrobat > Preferences on macOS).

• In the Preferences window, look for a category like "Internet" or "General".

• Within that section, you might find options related to "Web Browser Options," "Display PDF in browser," or even a specific setting that dictates which browser to use for opening links. Make sure nothing here is specifically pointing to Edge or overriding your system default. Sometimes, unticking a "Display PDF in browser" option can also influence how external links are handled, even if it seems counter-intuitive.

  

Double Check Chrome's Default Status (Even if You Think It's Set)

• Go to Windows Settings (Windows key + I).

• Click on Apps > Default apps.

• Scroll down and click on Google Chrome.

• Review all the file types and link types that Chrome is set as default for, especially HTTP, HTTPS, and URL. If you see any that are not set to Chrome, click on them and explicitly choose Chrome.

[james_9091]

I am having the exact opposite issue. My default browser is Edge, but my hyperlinks are opening in Chrome. I tried your solution and checked every setting I could to no avail. Would you happen to have any other ideas?

[AnandSri · Accepted solution]

Hello @james_9091

I hope you are doing well, and we are sorry for the delayed response and for the trouble.

Thanks for sharing your experience. If your default browser is set to Microsoft Edge, but hyperlinks from PDFs are still opening in Google Chrome, this behavior is likely due to how Windows handles URL protocols or how Acrobat is configured to launch links.

Confirm Default Browser Settings in Windows

Even if Edge is set as your default browser, double-check that all relevant protocols are assigned correctly:

• Go to Settings > Apps > Default apps.
• Scroll down and click on Microsoft Edge.
• Ensure that HTTP, HTTPS, and .htm/.html file types are all set to open with Edge.

2. Check Acrobat’s Link Handling Behavior

Acrobat uses the system’s default browser to open hyperlinks. However, if a third-party browser extension or PDF handler is interfering, it may override this behavior. Try:

• Disabling any browser extensions that interact with PDFs.
• Opening the PDF in Acrobat (not in-browser) and clicking the link again.

3. Avoid Opening PDFs in Chrome

If you’re viewing the PDF in Chrome, links will open in Chrome regardless of your system settings. To ensure Acrobat respects your default browser:

• Download the PDF and open it directly in Adobe Acrobat or Acrobat Reader.

4. Update Acrobat

Make sure you’re using the latest version of Acrobat:

• Open Acrobat > Menu> Help > Check for Updates. Restart the machine after installing the latest build, and try again.

You can also try the suggesions from the Adobe article: https://adobe.ly/3JrWUEj

I hope this helps.

Thanks,

Anand Sri.

Meet Acrobat Studio

[nitzan_3698]

I'm also having trouble with opening links from adobe acrobat but it's from the Android app.

Instead of opening chrome it opens them inside the adobe app in a web view browser that isn't synced with the default browser.

Is there a way to disable this built in broswer and always open links in my default web browser?

[AnandSri]

Hello @nitzan_3698

I hope you are doing well, and thanks for reaching out.

Currently, Adobe Acrobat for Android does not offer a direct toggle in its settings to disable the in-app browser entirely. 

You may try the following workarounds: Check Acrobat App Settings:: 
Open the Adobe Acrobat app.
Tap the profile icon or menu (three lines) in the top corner.
Go to Settings.
Look for an option like “Open links in external browser” or “Use in-app browser.” If it is available, disable it.
Note: As of now, this setting may not be present in all versions of Acrobat for Android.

Use Android System Settings: Go to Settings on your Android device.
Search for “Opening links” or go to:
Apps > Default apps > Opening links
Find Adobe Acrobat in the list.
Disable the permission for it to open supported links by toggling off “Open supported links”.

This forces Android to use your default browser (e.g., Chrome) for web links instead of letting Acrobat handle them internally.

Set Chrome as Default Browser: 
Go to Settings > Apps > Default apps.
Make sure Chrome is set as the default for HTTP, HTTPS, and URL links.

I hope this helps.

Thanks,

Anand Sri.

[nitzan_3698]

Thanks @AnandSri for the reply, but it didn't help.

I tried looking in all the adobe settings and there was nothing there for broswer.

Also in the general settings, the opening links page didn't help. 

I guess I should install a different pdf reader app.

[AnandSri · Accepted solution]

Hello @muhamed_7637

As shared above, the mobile device has some limited feature ability, and is different from the desktop app. You can raise a feature request with the product team directly using the Adobe Wish form.

Thanks,

Anand Sri.