Why Do My PDFs Open in Chrome? Learn How to Prevent This

Why are My PDFs Opening in Chrome? And How To Stop It

PDF (Portable Document Format) files are widely used for sharing documents and forms across different platforms and devices. They preserve the formatting and layout of the original document, making it easy to share and view files without compatibility issues. However, sometimes when you click on a PDF file, it automatically opens in Google Chrome instead of your preferred PDF viewer.

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This issue can be frustrating, especially if you prefer using a different PDF reader or if you encounter compatibility problems with Chrome’s built-in PDF viewer. Fortunately, there are several ways you can prevent PDFs from opening in Chrome and choose the application you want to use for viewing PDF files.

Change the Default PDF Viewer

One way to prevent PDFs from opening in Chrome is to change the default PDF viewer on your computer or device. This can be done by going to your system settings and selecting a different application as the default program for opening PDF files. For example, on Windows, you can go to Settings > Apps > Default Apps > Choose default apps by file type and select your preferred PDF viewer as the default for .pdf files.

Disable Chrome’s Built-In PDF Viewer

If you prefer using Chrome as your web browser but want to use a different PDF viewer, you can disable Chrome’s built-in PDF viewer. To do this, open Chrome and type “chrome://settings/content” in the address bar. Scroll down to the “PDF Documents” section and toggle off the “Download PDF files instead of automatically opening them in Chrome” option. This will prevent PDFs from automatically opening in Chrome, giving you the option to save them or open them with a different PDF viewer.

Note: The steps to change the default PDF viewer or disable Chrome’s built-in PDF viewer may vary depending on your operating system and version of Chrome.

By following these steps, you can regain control over how PDF files are opened on your computer or device and ensure that they open in your preferred PDF viewer instead of Chrome. Whether you need to fill out forms, review documents, or simply prefer a different PDF reader, knowing how to prevent PDFs from opening in Chrome can save you time and frustration.

Why PDFs Open in Chrome

PDFs are commonly used for sharing and viewing documents online. However, sometimes when you click on a PDF link, it may open in your web browser instead of your preferred PDF viewing application. This is particularly common if you are using the Google Chrome browser.

There are a few reasons why PDFs open in Chrome:

Default PDF Viewer: One possible reason is that Chrome is set as the default PDF viewer on your device. This means that whenever you click on a PDF link, Chrome automatically opens it instead of using a dedicated PDF viewer like Adobe Acrobat Reader or another PDF reader you have installed on your computer or mobile device.
Chrome PDF Viewer: Chrome has its own built-in PDF viewer called “Chrome PDF Viewer.” This feature allows you to view PDFs directly within the browser without the need for any additional software. When this viewer is enabled, PDFs will automatically open in Chrome, even if you have another PDF viewer installed.
PDF Plugin: Another reason why PDFs open in Chrome is that you may have a PDF plugin or extension installed in your browser. These plugins enhance the functionality of Chrome when it comes to handling PDF files. They can automatically open PDFs or provide additional features for viewing and working with PDFs within the browser.
Website Settings: Some websites have settings that force PDFs to open in the browser instead of prompting you to download or open them with an external application. In these cases, Chrome’s default behavior is to open the PDF in the browser.

If you prefer not to open PDFs in Chrome, there are several ways to prevent this:

Change Default PDF Viewer: You can change your default PDF viewer settings on your device. This will ensure that PDFs open in your preferred PDF viewer instead of Chrome. The process for changing the default PDF viewer varies depending on your operating system, but it typically involves going to the settings or preferences of your device and selecting a different default program for opening PDF files.
Disable Chrome PDF Viewer: If you don’t want PDFs to open in Chrome’s built-in viewer, you can disable this feature. To do this, open Chrome and go to the browser’s settings. Scroll down and click on “Advanced,” then find the “Content Settings” section. Click on “PDF documents” and toggle off the switch next to “Download PDF files instead of automatically opening them in Chrome.”
Remove PDF Plugins or Extensions: If you have any PDF plugins or extensions installed in Chrome, you can remove them to prevent PDFs from opening in the browser. To do this, go to Chrome’s settings, click on “Extensions” in the left sidebar, and disable or remove any PDF-related plugins or extensions.
Configure Website Settings: If PDFs consistently open in Chrome on specific websites, you can check the website settings. Look for any options or preferences related to opening PDFs and change them to your desired behavior.

By following these steps, you can ensure that PDFs open in the PDF viewer of your choice instead of automatically opening in Chrome.

Discover the Causes and Solutions

If your PDFs are opening in Chrome instead of your preferred PDF viewer, there could be several reasons for this. Here are some common causes and their solutions:

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1. Default PDF Viewer

Chrome might be set as the default PDF viewer on your device. To change this, follow these steps:

Open Chrome and go to the settings menu.
Scroll down and click on “Advanced.”
Under the “Privacy and Security” section, click on “Site Settings.”
Scroll down and click on “PDF Documents.”
Toggle off the option that says “Download PDF files instead of automatically opening them in Chrome.”

2. File Association

Your operating system might have associated PDF files with Chrome. To change this, follow these steps:

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Right-click on a PDF file.
Select “Open With” or “Open With > Choose Another App” (Windows) or “Get Info” (Mac).
Select your preferred PDF viewer from the list.
Check the box that says “Always use this app to open .pdf files” or “Change All” (Mac).
Click “OK” or “Open.”

3. Chrome Extensions

Some Chrome extensions, such as PDF viewers, might be set to open PDFs automatically. To disable these extensions, follow these steps:

Open Chrome and go to the settings menu.
Scroll down and click on “Extensions.”
Find the extension that is causing the issue and click on the toggle switch to disable it.
Restart Chrome for the changes to take effect.

4. Clear Cache and Cookies

Cache and cookies stored by Chrome might be causing PDFs to open in the browser. Clearing them can help resolve the issue. Follow these steps:

Open Chrome and go to the settings menu.
Scroll down and click on “Advanced.”
Under the “Privacy and Security” section, click on “Clear Browsing Data.”
Select “Cookies and other site data” and “Cached images and files.”
Click on “Clear data.”

5. Use a Different Browser

If none of the above solutions work, you can consider using a different browser as your default PDF viewer. Browsers like Adobe Acrobat Reader, Foxit Reader, or Microsoft Edge have built-in PDF viewing capabilities.

By carefully following these causes and solutions, you should be able to prevent PDFs from opening in Chrome and use your preferred PDF viewer instead.

Prevent PDFs from Opening in Chrome

PDF files are commonly used for sharing documents that preserve the original formatting across different devices and platforms. However, sometimes when you click on a PDF link, it automatically opens in Google Chrome instead of downloading it. If you prefer to download PDF files instead of opening them directly in Chrome, follow these steps to prevent PDFs from opening in Chrome:

Open Google Chrome and click the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner of the browser window.
Select “Settings” from the dropdown menu.
In the Settings tab, scroll down and click on “Advanced” to expand the advanced settings.
Under the “Privacy and security” section, click on “Site settings”.
Scroll down and click on “Additional content settings”.
Find the “PDF documents” option and click on it.
Toggle the switch to turn off the “Open PDF files in the default PDF viewer application” option.

By turning off this option, PDF files will no longer open directly in Chrome. Instead, they will be downloaded to your computer, and you can open them with a dedicated PDF reader or other programs of your choice.

If you change your mind and want to open PDF files in Chrome again, simply follow the same steps and toggle the switch to turn on the “Open PDF files in the default PDF viewer application” option.

Preventing PDFs from opening in Chrome can be useful if you want to have more control over how you access and view PDF files. Whether you prefer to download them or use a specific PDF reader, changing this setting in Chrome allows you to customize your browsing experience.

FAQ:

Why are my PDFs always opening in Chrome instead of Adobe Acrobat?

If your PDFs are always opening in Chrome instead of Adobe Acrobat, it is likely because Chrome is set as the default PDF viewer on your computer. You can change the default PDF viewer by following the steps mentioned in the article.

Is there a way to prevent PDFs from automatically opening in Chrome?

Yes, there is a way to prevent PDFs from automatically opening in Chrome. The article provides step-by-step instructions on how to change the default PDF viewer on your computer to Adobe Acrobat or any other preferred software.

I prefer using a different PDF viewer on my computer. Can I set it as the default instead of Chrome?

Yes, you can set a different PDF viewer as the default instead of Chrome. The article explains the process of changing the default PDF viewer on your computer, allowing you to choose the preferred software, such as Adobe Acrobat or any other compatible PDF reader.

What if I want to keep using Chrome for browsing but use a different program for opening PDF files?

If you want to keep using Chrome for browsing but use a different program for opening PDF files, you can easily change the default PDF viewer on your computer. The article provides instructions on how to do this so that you can continue using Chrome for browsing while having another program, such as Adobe Acrobat, as your default PDF viewer.