Hi My problem is every time I try to Open a PDF file in Microsoft Edge the file gets Downloaded. and Failed to Open. I drag a PDF file from Explorer to Edge and it won't Open, instead it will start downloading the file and open the download page. I Have Made Edge as My default Browser and Default PDF reader and the same Problem existed. Windows 10 up to date as well Edge I have tried almost every solution and set every option with no luck. what is the Problem here??

Hi thanks for the quick Reply. 1 - Yes I have Already Disabled [Always Download PDF files]. 2 - it's set to Microsoft edge, it's just the thumbnail stays the same. 3 - it's a simple PDF file, and this problem is with any PDF files. here is a screenshot to all you have Asked for. and the PROBLEM still as before!

I have this exact same problem, following the exact same troubleshooting steps and getting the exact same errors with Microsoft Edge, Microsoft Edge Beta, and every version of Microsoft Edge I try keeps on giving this error. ONE time it randomly actually opened a PDF file and I was so excited! Now it keeps pulling the same crap on me again and keeps trying to download the file and making extra copies of it in Downloads every time I open the file even though it is the default app associated with the PDF file type! Fix it Microsoft!

Anyone Having problems Opening PDFs in Microsoft Edge?

00 35 10

Hi
My problem is every time I try to Open a PDF file in Microsoft Edge the file gets Downloaded. and Failed to Open.

I drag a PDF file from Explorer to Edge and it won't Open, instead it will start downloading the file and open the download page.
I Have Made Edge as My default Browser and Default PDF reader and the same Problem existed.

Windows 10 up to date as well Edge

I have tried almost every solution and set every option with no luck.
what is the Problem here??

00 35 10 Reputation points

2023-03-07T08:35:00.3133333+00:00

this is the problem
Deepak-MSFT 2,191 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2023-03-07T09:23:38.46+00:00
Hi @00 35 ,

As you said, you are using the latest version of Edge, I assume that you are using 110.x version. Correct me if I am wrong.

Please browse edge://settings/content/pdfDocuments in the Edge browser and make sure Always download PDF files is disabled.

From the screenshot, I could see Adobe file logo. Are you sure that the Edge is set as default PDF reader? If yes, could you please share the screenshot of the Default app for PDF?

Is it any special kind of PDF file (example: you could edit data in it)?

Best Regards,

Deepak
00 35 10 Reputation points

2023-03-07T10:11:07.8533333+00:00

Hi @Deepak-MSFT
thanks for the quick Reply.

1 - Yes I have Already Disabled [Always Download PDF files].
2 - it's set to Microsoft edge, it's just the thumbnail stays the same.
3 - it's a simple PDF file, and this problem is with any PDF files.

here is a screenshot to all you have Asked for.

and the PROBLEM still as before!

2 answers

00 35 10 Reputation points

2023-03-07T10:00:01.35+00:00

Hi
thanks for the quick Reply.
1 - Yes I have Already Disabled [Always Download PDF files].
2 - it's set to Microsoft edge, it's just the thumbnail stays the same.
3 - it's a simple PDF file, and this problem is with any PDF files.

here is a screenshot to all you have Asked for.

and the PROBLEM still as before!
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Deepak-MSFT 2,191 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2023-03-07T10:17:41.4033333+00:00

Hi @00 35,

Just for testing purposes, could you try reset the Edge browser?

After resetting the browser, configure the settings again and see whether it makes any difference.

Best Regards,

Deepak

00 35 10 Reputation points

2023-03-07T10:32:02.38+00:00

Hi @Deepak-MSFT
Unfourtnely the problem still exist.

00 35 10 Reputation points

2023-03-07T10:41:04.68+00:00

Hi @Deepak-MSFT
just to Mention that everything was working fine until the last major update for windows 10, I don't remember when but after I updated to the version 21H2 immediately this problem Appeared. and I have tried Everything for the last 6 months with no luck. Any solution in mind?
I am thinking about downgrading to the previous version number.

00 35 10 Reputation points

2023-03-07T11:42:00.7333333+00:00

Hi @Deepak-MSFT
also this problem existed on chromium based browsers I have tried( Edge, Oprea, Brave and Chrome ).

The Only browser was able to open PDF files is FireFox.

Deepak-MSFT 2,191 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2023-03-08T07:52:47.6433333+00:00

Hi 00 35,

From that file logo, it seems something wrong on Windows OS. That it is not identifying default app for PDF files.

For testig purposes, Try to set default PDF viewer to any other app. Restart the machine then again set it to the Edge browser.

Is the Edge browser on that machine controlled by your organization via group policy or is it a domain joined machine?

If you are looking to make tests with the older version of the Edge browser, you could download them from Looking for an older version of Edge?

Further, I would like to know whether have you created a system restore point for this OS?

How many machines are affected from this issue?

Best Regards,

Deepak

00 35 10 Reputation points

2023-03-08T09:52:27.3966667+00:00

Hi @Deepak-MSFT

1 - I have done what you asked. and the icon has turned white.
2 - it's a single machine, I am an Administrator User, no connection with Anyone.
3 - I have tried that but every older version gives me an error during install.
4 - no there is no system restore point.
5 - Just one, mine.

in the screenshot:

lower left older edge install error.

lower middle the thumbnail icon after I have set Edge as Default PDF reader.

right the problem still exists and Information about the file.

Thanks for All your help, I really Appreciate you and your efforts.
But I think I am going to reinstall the Windows OS with the same version to see if this problem is resolved. otherwise, either downgrading or upgrading to W11.

Deepak-MSFT 2,191 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2023-03-09T08:54:08.19+00:00

Hi 00 35,

Instead of reinstalling the OS, I would suggest you try reinstalling the MS Edge browser.

Further, I would suggest try installing Canary, Dev or Beta version of Edge browser, it will get installed side by side with your stable version of the Edge browser and see whether it could open the PDF file successfully if you set it as Default PDF viewer.

If you double click the PDF file, what happens? is it shows a popup to select the app to open PDF?

Download Edgeinsider versions

Best Regards,

Deepak

00 35 10 Reputation points

2023-03-09T10:33:17.4966667+00:00

Hi @Deepak-MSFT
I have installed edge Canary/beta and Dev, same Problem not being able to open pdf successfully. By dragging the file or by double clicking = same problem,
and assigning each one of them as Default PDF reader, and even restarting the Device doesn't help.

and no Popup to select the app to open PDF after setting a default Pdf reader. this Popup only shows after installing a new app that supports opening PDF files. and even selecting from the Popup is the same Problem Not able to open PDFs successfully. and starts downloading the file as before. and I even made sure that every option has discussed here is set up right.
no luck for me:)
I am pretty sure that this problem will resolve by reinstalling the OS Because it has appeared after Updating to 21H2, a clean install will sure Fix this, I hope so.

Thanks for all the Help @Deepak-MSFT

Deepak-MSFT 2,191 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2023-03-13T09:41:00.3233333+00:00

Hi @00 35,

I agree with you on the point that reinstalling the Os might fix the issue.

If you still has the OS, for testing purposes you could try uninstalling the Adobe reader and see whether it makes any difference.

Please check whether you have installed any extensions in the Edge browser that could open PDFs? If yes, try to disable them and see the if it helps.

Let me know the test results.

Best Regards,

Deepak
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W N 0 Reputation points

2023-07-22T06:02:59.1833333+00:00

I have this exact same problem, following the exact same troubleshooting steps and getting the exact same errors with Microsoft Edge, Microsoft Edge Beta, and every version of Microsoft Edge I try keeps on giving this error. ONE time it randomly actually opened a PDF file and I was so excited! Now it keeps pulling the same crap on me again and keeps trying to download the file and making extra copies of it in Downloads every time I open the file even though it is the default app associated with the PDF file type! Fix it Microsoft!
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