Taming the PDF Beast: How to Open PDFs in Chrome Instead of Adobe Acrobat

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Are you tired of Adobe Acrobat taking over your browser every time you try to open a PDF? Do you wish there was a way to open PDFs in Chrome instead of being forced to use the Adobe Acrobat application? You’re not alone! Many users struggle with this issue, but fear not, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps to tame the PDF beast and set Chrome as your default PDF viewer.

The Problem: Adobe Acrobat’s Grip On Your Browser

Adobe Acrobat is an excellent PDF management tool, but its aggressive behavior can be frustrating. When you click on a PDF link, Acrobat takes over, launching a separate application that can slow down your browser and system. This can be especially annoying if you’re working on a resource-constrained device or have multiple PDFs open at the same time.

The reason Acrobat dominates your browser is due to its default association with the .pdf file extension. This association is usually set during the installation process, and it tells your operating system to open PDF files with Acrobat. However, you can change this default association to open PDFs in Chrome instead.

The Solution: Changing The Default PDF Viewer In Windows

To set Chrome as your default PDF viewer in Windows, follow these steps:

Method 1: Using The Settings App

  1. Click on the Start button and type “Settings” in the search bar.
  2. Open the Settings app and click on the “System” icon.
  3. Scroll down and click on “Default apps” on the left side menu.
  4. Click on “Choose default apps by file type.”
  5. Scroll down and find the “.pdf” file extension.
  6. Click on the “Adobe Acrobat” dropdown menu and select “Google Chrome” from the list.
  7. Click “OK” to save your changes.

Method 2: Using The Control Panel

  1. Click on the Start button and type “Control Panel” in the search bar.
  2. Open the Control Panel and click on “Programs.”
  3. Click on “Default Programs” and then “Associate a file type or protocol with a program.”
  4. Scroll down and find the “.pdf” file extension.
  5. Click on the “Adobe Acrobat” dropdown menu and select “Google Chrome” from the list.
  6. Click “Save” to save your changes.

The Solution: Changing The Default PDF Viewer In MacOS

To set Chrome as your default PDF viewer in macOS, follow these steps:

Method 1: Using The Finder

  1. Open the Finder and click on the “Applications” folder.
  2. Right-click on the “Google Chrome” application and select “Get Info.”
  3. In the “Get Info” window, click on the “Open with” dropdown menu and select “Google Chrome.”
  4. Click on the “Change All” button to set Chrome as the default application for all .pdf files.

Method 2: Using The Preview App

  1. Open the Preview app and click on “Preview” in the menu bar.
  2. Select “Preferences” and click on the “Files” tab.
  3. Click on the “PDF” dropdown menu and select “Google Chrome” from the list.
  4. Click “OK” to save your changes.

Taming The PDF Beast: Setting Chrome As The Default PDF Viewer

Now that you’ve changed the default association, let’s set Chrome as the default PDF viewer. Here’s how:

Step 1: Enable Chrome’s PDF Viewer

  1. Open Google Chrome and type “chrome://settings/” in the address bar.
  2. Scroll down and click on “Advanced.”
  3. Scroll down to the “Privacy and security” section.
  4. Click on the “Site settings” button.
  5. Scroll down and click on “PDF documents.”
  6. Toggle the switch to “On” next to “Open PDF files in Chrome.”

Step 2: Set Chrome As The Default PDF Handler

  1. Type “chrome://settings/handlers” in the address bar.
  2. Scroll down and find the “.pdf” file extension.
  3. Click on the “Adobe Acrobat” dropdown menu and select “Google Chrome” from the list.

Bonus Tip: Opening PDFs In Chrome Instead Of Acrobat

If you still want to keep Adobe Acrobat as your default PDF viewer but want to open specific PDFs in Chrome, you can do so by using the following trick:

  1. Right-click on the PDF link and select “Save link as.”
  2. Save the PDF file to your local machine.
  3. Right-click on the saved PDF file and select “Open with.”
  4. Select “Google Chrome” from the list of available applications.

Conclusion

Taming the PDF beast is easier than you think! By following the simple steps outlined in this article, you can set Chrome as your default PDF viewer and break free from Adobe Acrobat’s grip on your browser. Remember, changing the default association and enabling Chrome’s PDF viewer are key to achieving this feat. With these tips, you’ll be opening PDFs in Chrome in no time!

Why Do PDFs Open In Adobe Acrobat By Default?

Adobe Acrobat is often set as the default PDF viewer on many computers, which is why PDFs tend to open in it by default. This is because Adobe Acrobat is a popular and widely-used PDF viewer that comes pre-installed on many devices. Additionally, many website and email attachments are set to open PDFs in Adobe Acrobat automatically.

However, this default setting can be changed, and you can set Chrome as your default PDF viewer instead. This can be useful if you prefer the simplicity and speed of Chrome’s built-in PDF viewer, or if you want to avoid the extra features and clutter of Adobe Acrobat. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily set Chrome as your default PDF viewer and take control of how PDFs are opened on your computer.

Do I Need To Uninstall Adobe Acrobat To Open PDFs In Chrome?

No, you do not need to uninstall Adobe Acrobat to open PDFs in Chrome. You can simply set Chrome as your default PDF viewer without affecting Adobe Acrobat’s functionality. This means you can still use Adobe Acrobat if you need to, but Chrome will become the default PDF viewer for opening PDFs.

In fact, having both Adobe Acrobat and Chrome as PDF viewers can be useful, as each has its own strengths and weaknesses. Adobe Acrobat is a more powerful PDF editor with advanced features, while Chrome’s built-in PDF viewer is fast and simple. By having both options available, you can choose the best tool for the task at hand.

Will Setting Chrome As My Default PDF Viewer Affect My Ability To Edit PDFs?

Setting Chrome as your default PDF viewer will not affect your ability to edit PDFs. Chrome’s built-in PDF viewer is primarily designed for viewing and reading PDFs, not editing them. If you need to edit a PDF, you can still use Adobe Acrobat or other PDF editing software.

In fact, having Chrome as your default PDF viewer can be beneficial if you need to edit PDFs. You can quickly view and review PDFs in Chrome, and then open them in Adobe Acrobat or other editing software when you’re ready to make changes. This can streamline your workflow and make it easier to work with PDFs.

Can I Still Use Adobe Acrobat If I Set Chrome As My Default PDF Viewer?

Yes, you can still use Adobe Acrobat even if you set Chrome as your default PDF viewer. As mentioned earlier, setting Chrome as your default PDF viewer does not uninstall or remove Adobe Acrobat from your computer.

You can still access Adobe Acrobat and use it to edit or view PDFs whenever you need to. The only difference is that PDFs will now open in Chrome by default, unless you specifically choose to open them in Adobe Acrobat.

Will This Change Affect Other Web Browsers On My Computer?

No, this change will only affect Google Chrome and will not affect other web browsers on your computer. If you have other web browsers installed, such as Firefox or Microsoft Edge, they will continue to use their default PDF viewers.

This means you can set Chrome as your default PDF viewer without worrying about affecting other web browsers or their functionalities. Each browser will continue to operate independently, and you can choose the best PDF viewer for each one separately.

Is It Safe To Set Chrome As My Default PDF Viewer?

Yes, it is safe to set Chrome as your default PDF viewer. Chrome’s built-in PDF viewer is a trusted and secure way to view PDFs. Google regularly updates Chrome with security patches and fixes, so you can be confident that your PDFs are being viewed in a secure environment.

Additionally, Chrome’s PDF viewer is sandboxed, which means it runs in a separate process from the rest of the browser. This provides an additional layer of security and protects your computer from potential security threats.

Can I Still Set Chrome As My Default PDF Viewer If I’m Using A Mac?

Yes, you can still set Chrome as your default PDF viewer even if you’re using a Mac. The steps to set Chrome as your default PDF viewer are similar on Mac and Windows, and you can follow the instructions outlined in this article to make the change.

Just like on Windows, setting Chrome as your default PDF viewer on a Mac will not affect your ability to use Adobe Acrobat or other PDF editing software. You can still access and use these applications whenever you need to, and Chrome will simply become the default PDF viewer for opening PDFs.

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