Error "The Server application, source file, or item cannot be found" with embedded pdf`s looking for PDF applicationt he receiver does not have

Question

When trying to open an imbedded PDF in a word document I get the error
"The server application, source file, or item cannot be found. Make sure the application is properly installed, and that it has not been deleted, moved, renamed, or blocked by policy"
The document does not open.

I have investigated, tested and found out the following

When the person creating the Word file embeds\inserts a pdf into it, word links the pdf to the default pdf application the creator is using on their device. If the receiver of the word file does not have this application on their machine then they receive this error.
This has nothing to do with how the PDF was created or with what application. Its only to do with the default pdf app used on the device of the person creating the document.

We now use Kofax Power PDF. Internally a person in the same department who had Kofax sent to his colleague who does not have Kofax(He has Adobe Reader) afile with embeded PDFs and of course it did not work.

I only found this online with reference to the issue
https://knowledge.kofax.com/MFD_Productivity/Power_PDF/Troubleshooting/Error_%22The_server_application%2C_source_file%2C_or_item_cannot_be_found%22_when_trying_to_open_an_embedded_PDF_from_Power_PDF_in_a_Word_Document_on_a_computer_that_does_not_have_Power_PDF_installed

Does anyone know if Microsoft will change this behaviour or maybe a setting to say "Use the file extension of the embeded doucment i.e. use whatever is your pdf reader is on your PC"

Answer 1

Hi @Mark Coggins

According to my research, I do not find any announcement from Microsoft to plan to change this behavior.

I sugger you to submit this request to the Microsoft Feedback forum.

This way, you can help our engineers have a better visibility on what issues that you’re experiencing with Microsoft product and which features are most important to you.

Thank you for your understanding.

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