Changing your default PDF viewer

If you are noticing that your PDF documents are automatically loading into your web browser you may be experiencing a limited number of feature.  A few options you will loose are: Can't sign a document, can't leave comments and can't open fillable PDF forms. The solution is to change your default PDF reader to Adobe Acrobat Reader DC.

First thing is to make sure of is that you already have Adobe Acrobat Reader DC installed on your computer. If you don't then by just installing it the issue will automatically be resolved.  If you need it installed on a corporate computer you will need to enter a Service Request Ticket.

To check if you have Adobe Acrobat Reader DC installed 

• Click the Search icon beside the Start button
• Type Adobe. If it's installed you will see it in the list.

There are a number of different ways to make this change but we will only look at one of them.

• Click the Search icon beside the start button again
• Type Default Apps

• Click Default Apps to open it
• Scroll down until you see Set defaults by app and click it
• You will now see a list of installed programs
  • Click Adobe Acrobat Reader DC

• Click Manage on the next screen
• You should now see a screen similar to this

• More then likely your Default App for .pdf is your web browser (In this case mine is set to Microsoft Edge)
• To make the change
  • Click Microsoft Edge
  • Then click Adobe Acrobat Reader DC

From now on, whenever you open a PDF document through a link, it will open in Adobe Acrobat Reader DC with all the functionality.

If you continue to have issues please make sure that Adobe is installed on your computer.

Need additional information or assistance? Contact the ITS Service Center.