How to Stop Microsoft Edge from Opening PDFs

Want to stop Microsoft Edge from automatically opening PDFs? Follow these easy steps!

1. Open Microsoft Edge and click the three dots in the top right corner.
2. From the drop-down menu, select “Settings.”
3. Then, select “Site permissions” and then “PDF documents.”
4. Toggle off the option that says “Always open PDF files externally.”

This will give you control over how PDFs are viewed.

You can now save the file or view it with a different program. This gives you flexibility to use a dedicated PDF reader or other software that works for you. This can boost your productivity and make your workflow smoother.

Don’t worry about missing out – you still have control over how and when to access the content within the files. So why not take charge of your browsing experience today? Try these instructions and enjoy an effortless approach to handling PDF documents!

Why Microsoft Edge opens PDFs by default

Microsoft Edge is the default web browser for Windows 10 and it can open PDFs automatically. Not everyone likes this, so they can change their settings.

Windows 10 was designed to make user experiences smoother. To do that, it integrates Microsoft’s applications. By making Microsoft Edge the default browser for PDFs, it aims to give a consistent browsing experience.

Plus, Edge has unique features that make viewing PDFs within the browser better. With annotation tools and smooth navigation, users can interact with PDFs without any extra software.

If you want to stop Edge from opening PDFs, there’s an easy solution. Right-click the PDF file. Select “Open With”. Choose an alternative app like Adobe Acrobat Reader. Check the box that says “Always use this app to open .pdf files” if you want to make it permanent.

Updating your default program settings lets you personalize your file management experience. With this knowledge, you can customize your browsing experience and optimize your workflow.

Option 1: Changing the default app for PDFs on Windows 10

Want to stop Microsoft Edge from automatically opening PDFs? It’s easy! Change the default app for PDFs on Windows 10. Here’s how:

1. Tap the Start button and click on the gear icon.
2. Select “Apps” in the Settings menu to get to Apps & features.
3. On the left side, click on “Default apps.”
4. Scroll down and hit “Choose default apps by file type.”
5. Search for “.pdf” and change “Current default” to something other than Microsoft Edge.

Now, whenever you open a PDF file, it will use your chosen program instead of Microsoft Edge. Other ways to stop Microsoft Edge from opening PDFs include using browser settings or disabling certain features within Microsoft Edge itself.

Fun fact: According to StatCounter, Microsoft Edge has around 4% of global desktop browser usage as of September 2021.

Option 2: Changing the default app for specific PDFs

1. Right-click the PDF file and select “Open with”, then “Choose another app”.
2. A window will appear with a list of available apps. Select the desired one.
3. Make sure to check the box that says “Always use this app to open .pdf files” and click on the “OK” button.
4. That’s it!

It’s useful if you work with different programs or prefer using something else for viewing/editing PDFs. You can personalize your experience and optimize efficiency by changing the default app for specific PDFs.

Did you know? Microsoft Edge became the default browser in Windows 10 when it was released in July 2015.

Option 3: Using a web browser plugin or extension

Helen was fed up with Microsoft Edge automatically opening her PDFs. But then she found a Firefox extension called “PDF Viewer” and took control back of her browsing. Here’s how:

1. Search for a reliable plugin or extension that suits your web browser. Options include Adobe Acrobat, Foxit Reader, or Nitro PDF.
2. Follow the installation instructions provided by the developer. This involves downloading & running the installer file.
3. Open settings & navigate to the extensions section. Locate the installed plugin & customize its settings.
4. Disable Edge’s built-in PDF viewer in its settings.
5. Enjoy full control over PDFs with the plugin active & Edge’s auto-viewing disabled.

Plus, these plugins offer added features & functionalities for managing PDF documents. Options include annotation, merging, and converting files to other formats.

Clearing the “Always use this app” setting

To stop Microsoft Edge from automatically opening PDFs, follow these steps:

1. Open Microsoft Edge.
2. Go to Settings.
3. Select “Apps”.
4. Click “Default apps”.
5. Find “Choose default apps by file type”.

This will let you choose the app for different file types. To stop Edge from opening PDFs, there are a few options:

1. Install a different PDF viewer or editor. This can override any settings that are making Edge open PDFs.
2. Check and update your default app settings regularly. This can help make sure files open in the right place.

Conclusion

Preventing Microsoft Edge from opening PDFs? No worries! Follow these steps:

1. Open Microsoft Edge and hit the menu button in the top right corner.
2. Select “Settings” from the dropdown.
3. Scroll down to the “Advanced settings” section and click on “PDF documents.”
4. Toggle the switch next to “Open PDF files using a different application” to enable it.

Alternatively, you can download a third-party PDF reader like Adobe Acrobat Reader or Foxit Reader and set it as your default application for opening PDFs.

FYI – Microsoft Edge is the default PDF viewer in Windows 10. But, if you prefer an alternative, it’s important to know how to change this setting.

Finally, CNET reports that over 60% of Windows 10 users still use Google Chrome as their primary browser.