Microsoft Edge, the new web browser offered with Windows 10, is not only the default web browser in Windows 10 but also the default PDF reader.
While browsing the web in Edge, if you come across a PDF file, you can download and view the PDF file in Edge without opening any other software. Since if Edge the default PDF reader by default, all PDF files on your Windows 10 PC will be opened with Edge’s PDF reader by default.
Almost all major web browsers today come with built-in PDF reader so that users can view PDF files without having to install additional PDF readers. But there are many users who don’t want to the basic and built-in PDF reader in Edge and want to disable the same.
Stop Edge from opening PDF files
If you are not happy with the built-in PDF reader in Microsoft Edge and want to disable the same, you can do so by setting any other app or classic desktop program as the default PDF reader.
When you set another app or program as the default PDF reader, the Edge will use the new default PDF reader to open PDF files.
Note that it’s possible to disable Edge’s PDF reader without setting another software as the default PDF reader as there is no provision in Edge to disable the PDF reader. In short, if you want to stop Edge from opening PDF files, please change the default PDF reader.
Those of you who are not sure about changing default PDF reader in Windows 10, please follow the directions in one of the given below methods.
Method 1
Change default PDF reader in Settings
Step 1: Open Settings app. Navigate to Apps > Default apps. If you are on Windows 10 Anniversary Update or earlier builds, you need to navigate to System > Default apps.
Step 2: Click Default apps by file type link to open the same.
Step 3: Here, under Associate file types with specific apps section, look for .PDF entry. By default, Microsoft Edge’s entry appears next to .PDF entry as Edge is the default PDF reader.
To change this to a different program or app, click on Microsoft Edge’s entry and then select an app or program.
If the program or app which you would like to set as default PDF reader does not appear in Choose an app list, please refer to the directions in Method 2 of this guide.
Method 2
Change default PDF reader via Control Panel
Step 1: Open Control Panel. Change View by to Small icons. Click Default Programs.
Step 2: Click Associate a file type or protocol with a program.
Step 3: On the left side, look for .PDF entry. Once you find the .PDF entry, click on it to select it. Click Change program button.
Step 4: Select a program or app from the list. Click More apps link if you do not see your program/app on the list. If you want to select a different program, click Look for another app on this PC link, and then select your favorite PDF reader.
Hope this helps!
Also, don’t forget to go through our how to save a webpage as PDF in Edge browser guide.
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