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"How do you want to open this file?" window keeps poping up

Anonymous
2023-03-12T20:50:37+00:00

This is an issue that affects mainly PDF files, although it occasionally appears with other file formats as well. It started some time ago with an update and is really irritating. Let's take it from the beginning: This is a Windows 10 system, with all the updates. Adobe Acrobat Reader is installed and is the default pdf viewer. Whenever I try to open a pdf file from the desktop or the explorer, the "How do you want to open this file?" window pops up. Now, Acrobat reader is the selected app for opening pdf files. This is true both when I look at the file associations in settings (choose default apps by file type) or in the file properties window (Opens with: Adobe Acrobat). The files carry the acrobat icons too. Can someone suggest a fix? It's really annoying every time I try to open a pdf file that I have to go through this two-step process. Interestingly enough, when I use another file manager (like total commander) the files open with acrobat without the selection window.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Settings

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-03-14T22:23:33+00:00

    Olivia hi,

    just a quick note. After uninstalling Acrobat Reader and running Adobe's cleaning app (AdobeAcroCleaner_DC2021), I ran a registry check with CCleaner, restarted the computer and reinstalled Acrobat Reader from an offline installer. It now works properly.

    Since I did the uninstall/reinstall process before (without the extended cleaning), my best guess is that something went wrong during an Adobe update (most likely the conversion from 32 to 64 bit).

    Thanks regardless

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-03-18T02:18:08+00:00

    Thank you for your update. Sometimes the interference of third-party software may cause some functions of Windows not to work properly. So if you encounter a similar problem in the future when you know you have set him through the settings but it doesn't work, we can try to enter the system in clean boot or safe mode to troubleshoot what is causing the problem. Anyway, I am happy that your problem was solved!

    We appreciate your feedback, please click Yes or No to help us improve the support experience.

    Thanks again for choosing Microsoft! 

    Best wishes,

    Olivia

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-03-13T07:58:29+00:00

    Thanks for your reply. If it doesn't work after following the above steps, then there is probably a problem with the system and we can continue to try the following steps:

    1. Search CMD, find the command prompt, and select Run in Administrator mode. DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth SFC /Scannow

    After the scan is complete, you can check the scan information to see if the problem has been checked and fixed.

    1. Let’s try performing an in-place install or in-place upgrade which will refresh your Windows files and operating system without removing files or applications.

    That being said, we always recommend that if you have important data, you should back it up before making large system changes. If you want to back up your data first, please do so. Once you are done backing up, you can follow the steps in the following guides: 

    1. How to run In-place upgrade in Windows 11 - Microsoft Community
    2. How to perform an In-place Upgrade with Windows 10 Step-by-Step Guide - Microsoft Community

    Thanks for your close cooperation.

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-03-13T07:46:17+00:00

    Hi there Olivia,

    thanks for your input. It's well appreciated.

    The solution you suggested did not work. Anyway, like I mentioned in the original post, I have already done this and adobe acrobat appears as the default app for pdf files. Still the application selection window appears every time I open a pdf file.

    See the images for more info.

    Thanks a million

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-03-13T07:27:02+00:00

    Hey there, Alexis Lag,

    Welcome to Microsoft Community.

    I understand that you want to set Acrobat as the default PDF opening method, the following are the specific steps to follow:

    1. Right-click Acrobat, click Properties, find the file path
    2. Right-click on your PDF document and click Properties>Change > Look for another App on this PC

    Find the path where Acrobat is located in the first step, and then select Acrobat.

    *After selecting acrobat as the default PDF open path, remember to check the OK/Apply*.*

    Click OK/Apply, the next time you open the PDF, it will default to Acrobat application open. After the operation is completed, open any PDF to check the result. If it doesn't work, please let me know and I will continue to help you.

    Please feel free to let me know if you have any further updates, thanks.

    Best regards,

    Olivia | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

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