Edge keeps making itself the default PDF viewer

Question

Edition: Windows 10 Pro

Version: 1809

Installed on: 4/17/2019

OS Build: 17763.557

After going to settings and setting the default PDF viewer to Adobe Reader, then the next day, Edge is back as the default with no user intervention. This has happened twice so far in two ways.

Answer 1

Hi!

My name is German, and I am here to help you.

Please, try this:

Open Settings.

Click on Apps.

Click on Default apps.

Note: If you're still running the Windows 10 Anniversary Update, the path is Settings > System > Default apps.

Click the Choose default apps by file type link.

Scroll down and find .pdf (PDF File), and click the button on the right side, which is likely to read "Microsoft Edge."

Select your app from the list to set it as the new default.

Click the Switch anyway link to confirm the change.

Once you completed the steps, Microsoft Edge will no longer open PDF files by default in the web browser.

Any other questions I am at your disposal.

Have a great day!

Answer 2

Hi!

My name is German, and I am here to help you.

Please, try this:

Open Settings.

Click on Apps.

Click on Default apps.

Note: If you're still running the Windows 10 Anniversary Update, the path is Settings > System > Default apps.

Click the Choose default apps by file type link.

Scroll down and find .pdf (PDF File), and click the button on the right side, which is likely to read "Microsoft Edge."

Select your app from the list to set it as the new default.

Click the Switch anyway link to confirm the change.

Once you completed the steps, Microsoft Edge will no longer open PDF files by default in the web browser.

Any other questions I am at your disposal.

Have a great day!

I went to the settings and selected defaults by app. It has always worked in the past. The file type was never necessary previously. Any reason its not working? it's only on one machine.

Answer 3

Are you using an older version of Adobe Reader? Older versions messed with the registry to assign itself to PDFs in a way that is no longer allowed in Windows 10. This triggers Windows' file protection to reset the PDF association to default, which is Edge in Windows 10.

Please install the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader DC and see if it keeps happening.

https://get.adobe.com/reader/

Answer 4

If some Windows functions aren't working or Windows crashes, use the System File Checker to scan Windows and restore your files. 

Though the steps below might look complicated at first glance, just follow them in order, step-by-step, and we’ll try to get you back on track.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/929833...