Pop-up asking to make Adobe Reader my default PDF application

[Vorga77]

Hello,

I am having a problem with Reader DC in Windows 10. Everytime I open a PDF i get a pop-up asking to make Adobe Reader my default PDF application. I cannot get this message to go away. Adobe Reader already is the default PDF application. I have tried checking the box that says Don't ask me again and selected No, I have selected Don't ask me again and clicked Yes. It still comes back the next time I opena PDF. I have tried going to the preferences and removing the check from the box 'Tell me if Adobe Acrobat Reader is not my default PDF application'. I still get the pop-up. I have tried altering the registry to add the DWORD "iAppDoNotTakePDFOwnershipAtLaunchWin10" and set it to 1. No matter what I do, the pop-up will not go away. Does anyone have any ideas what else I can try?

[SamuelNitsche]

I have the same problem. No feedback from adobe. The issue seems to exist for a long time already.

https://community.adobe.com/t5/acrobat-reader/reader-dc-cannot-suppress-quot-make-reader-my-default-... 

[SamuelNitsche · Accepted solution]

I just found the solution. The registry key documented in the knowledgebase is wrong.

The correct registry key is "HKCU\Software\Adobe\(product name)\(version)\AVAlert\cCheckbox" (lowercase b in "Checkbox").

[Vorga77]

Thank you so much! This was exactly what I needed. 

[Kurt_]

The registry key AVAlert doesn't exist with my enterprise install of 32-bit Acrobat Reader....

[Kurt_]

Please make this an option in the Acrobt Customization Wizard for Windows 11 x-64.  Just FYI, Microsoft doesn't make a 32-bit anymore...  why only 32-bit Reader????

[Shawn32846056l8h2 · Accepted solution]

Yes, exactly what I needed. Thank you for this tiny but important correction!

[C247259685jbq]

Sorry for my limitations - but do I change it to 'bCheckbox' or change default value to 'b'?

[AnandSri]

Hello,

Please change the value to '0', and (lowercase b in "Checkbox").

Thanks,

Anand Sri.

[roger_7560]

My Registry key is exactly what you have indicated to be correct in your response. My checkbox is set to 1 as I understand is the correct value. However I am still getting the pop up! My registry entry indicates Windows 10 but I am running Windows 11, is this a possible reason why I am having this problem?

[S. S]

Hi @roger_7560,

Thanks for the response.

The Dword with Win10 at the end is specifically for Windows 10 running systems.

For others, this should be the registry:

Path: [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Adobe\(product name)\(version)\AVAlert\cCheckbox]
DWORD: iAppDoNotTakePDFOwnershipAtLaunch
Value: 1

You can also refer to more PDF ownership related lockdowns for Acrobat here: https://adobe.ly/4ev49a1.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Souvik.