Are you tired of Adobe Acrobat launching every time you try to open a PDF file in Google Chrome? Do you wish you could bypass the tedious process of downloading and installing Adobe software just to view a simple PDF document? You’re not alone! Many users have struggled with this issue, but the good news is that there’s a solution. In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps to make Chrome open PDFs instead of Adobe.
Why Does Chrome Keep Opening Adobe Acrobat?
Before we dive into the solution, let’s understand why Chrome keeps opening Adobe Acrobat in the first place. The reason lies in the way your browser handles file associations. When you click on a PDF link or download a PDF file, Chrome checks if you have a default PDF viewer set up on your system. If Adobe Acrobat is set as the default PDF viewer, Chrome will automatically launch it to open the PDF file.
However, this behavior can be frustrating if you prefer to use Chrome’s built-in PDF viewer or another PDF viewer of your choice. The good news is that you can change this behavior by configuring Chrome’s settings and file associations.
Method 1: Disable Adobe Acrobat Integration in Chrome
The first method to make Chrome open PDFs instead of Adobe is to disable Adobe Acrobat integration in Chrome. Here’s how:
- Open Google Chrome and type
chrome://settings/in the address bar. Press Enter to access the Chrome settings page. - Scroll down to the Privacy and security section and click on Site settings.
- In the Site settings page, click on PDF documents from the left menu.
- Toggle the switch next to Open PDF files in Adobe Acrobat to the Off position.
By disabling Adobe Acrobat integration, Chrome will no longer launch Adobe Acrobat to open PDF files. Instead, it will use its built-in PDF viewer to display the PDF document.
Method 2: Change the Default PDF Viewer in Windows or macOS
Another way to make Chrome open PDFs instead of Adobe is to change the default PDF viewer in your operating system. Here’s how:
Windows:
- Right-click on a PDF file and select Open with and then Choose another app.
- Click on More apps and then select Look for another app on this PC.
- Browse to the location of the Chrome executable file (usually located in
C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe). - Select the Chrome executable file and click Open.
- Make sure the Always use this app to open .pdf files checkbox is selected.
- Click OK to save the changes.
- Right-click (or control-click) on a PDF file and select Get Info.
- In the Get Info window, click on the Open with dropdown menu and select Other.
- Select Google Chrome from the list of available applications.
- Click Change All to make Chrome the default PDF viewer for all PDF files.
By changing the default PDF viewer in your operating system, you can ensure that Chrome opens PDF files instead of Adobe Acrobat.
Method 3: Use a Chrome Extension
If you prefer to use a Chrome extension to open PDFs instead of Adobe, you can try the following method:
Using the Chrome PDF Viewer Extension
- Visit the Chrome Web Store and search for the Chrome PDF Viewer extension.
- Click the Add to Chrome button to install the extension.
- Once the extension is installed, click on the extension’s icon in the top right corner of the Chrome browser.
- Enable the PDF Viewer extension by toggling the switch to the On position.
The Chrome PDF Viewer extension will allow you to view PDF files in Chrome without launching Adobe Acrobat.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If you’re still facing issues with Chrome opening Adobe Acrobat instead of displaying the PDF file, here are some common troubleshooting steps to try:
Check Your File Associations
Ensure that .pdf files are associated with Chrome or your preferred PDF viewer. You can do this by right-clicking on a PDF file, selecting Properties, and checking the Opens with section.
Disable Adobe Acrobat Add-ons
Sometimes, Adobe Acrobat add-ons can interfere with Chrome’s ability to open PDF files. Try disabling Adobe Acrobat add-ons in Chrome by following these steps:
- Open Chrome and type
chrome://extensions/in the address bar. Press Enter to access the Extensions page. - Toggle the switch next to Developer mode to the On position.
- Click on the Details button next to the Adobe Acrobat extension.
- Toggle the switch next to Enabled to the Off position.
Conclusion
In this article, we’ve shown you three methods to make Chrome open PDFs instead of Adobe Acrobat. By disabling Adobe Acrobat integration, changing the default PDF viewer, or using a Chrome extension, you can regain control over how Chrome handles PDF files. Remember to troubleshoot common issues by checking your file associations and disabling Adobe Acrobat add-ons. With these steps, you can enjoy a seamless PDF viewing experience in Chrome.
How do I know if Chrome is set to open PDFs with Adobe?
If you’re unsure whether Chrome is set to open PDFs with Adobe, you can easily check by following these steps: Open Google Chrome and type chrome://settings/ in the address bar. Press Enter, and then scroll down to the “Privacy and security” section. Click on “Site settings” and then click on “PDF documents.” If Adobe Acrobat is set as the default PDF viewer, you’ll see it listed as the preferred application.
If you see Adobe Acrobat listed, it means that Chrome is currently set to open PDFs with Adobe. However, if you want to take back control and make Chrome open PDFs instead, you can follow the steps outlined in our article to change this setting. By doing so, you’ll be able to view PDFs directly in the Chrome browser without having to open Adobe Acrobat.
Why do I want to make Chrome open PDFs instead of Adobe?
There are several reasons why you might want to make Chrome open PDFs instead of Adobe. For one, Chrome’s built-in PDF viewer is often faster and more lightweight than Adobe Acrobat. This means that you can quickly view and access PDF files without having to wait for Adobe to load. Additionally, Chrome’s PDF viewer also provides a more streamlined and intuitive user interface, making it easier to navigate and view PDF documents.
Another advantage of making Chrome open PDFs is that you can avoid the potential security risks associated with Adobe Acrobat. Adobe has faced several security breaches in the past, and using its software can put your system at risk of malware and other attacks. By using Chrome’s built-in PDF viewer, you can minimize this risk and ensure that your system remains safe and secure.
Will making Chrome open PDFs affect my Adobe Acrobat experience?
Making Chrome open PDFs instead of Adobe Acrobat will not affect your Adobe Acrobat experience in any way. You’ll still be able to use Adobe Acrobat to edit and create PDF files as needed. The only difference is that when you click on a PDF link in Chrome, the file will open directly in the browser instead of launching Adobe Acrobat.
If you need to edit a PDF file, you can still do so by right-clicking on the file and selecting “Open with” and then choosing Adobe Acrobat from the list of available applications. This way, you can still use Adobe Acrobat when you need to, while also enjoying the convenience and speed of Chrome’s built-in PDF viewer for viewing and accessing PDF files.
Can I still use Adobe Acrobat if I make Chrome open PDFs?
Yes, you can still use Adobe Acrobat even if you make Chrome open PDFs. As mentioned earlier, making this change only affects how Chrome handles PDF files. You can still use Adobe Acrobat to edit and create PDF files, and you can even set it as the default application for opening PDF files if you need to.
To use Adobe Acrobat with a PDF file, simply right-click on the file and select “Open with” and then choose Adobe Acrobat from the list of available applications. This will launch Adobe Acrobat and allow you to edit or view the PDF file as needed. This way, you can still take advantage of Adobe Acrobat’s features and functionality while also enjoying the convenience of Chrome’s built-in PDF viewer.
Will this change affect other browsers I use?
No, making Chrome open PDFs instead of Adobe Acrobat will not affect other browsers you use. This change is specific to Google Chrome and will not impact how other browsers, such as Mozilla Firefox or Microsoft Edge, handle PDF files. Each browser has its own settings and configurations, so you’ll need to make this change separately for each browser if you want to achieve the same result.
If you use multiple browsers and want to make the same change, you’ll need to repeat the process outlined in our article for each browser. However, if you only use Chrome, making this change will only affect how Chrome handles PDF files and will not impact your other browsers.
Is it secure to use Chrome’s built-in PDF viewer?
Yes, Chrome’s built-in PDF viewer is secure and safe to use. The Chrome browser has built-in security features that protect against malware and other online threats, and its PDF viewer is designed to operate within this secure environment. When you view a PDF file in Chrome, the browser’s security features, such as sandboxing and data execution prevention, help to protect against potential security risks.
Additionally, Chrome’s PDF viewer is also subject to Google’s rigorous security standards and testing. This means that any security vulnerabilities are quickly identified and patched, ensuring that you can view PDF files safely and securely. While no software is completely immune to security risks, Chrome’s built-in PDF viewer is a safe and reliable choice for viewing and accessing PDF files.
Can I revert back to using Adobe Acrobat if I change my mind?
Yes, you can easily revert back to using Adobe Acrobat if you change your mind. To do so, simply follow the same steps outlined in our article, but this time, select Adobe Acrobat as the preferred application for opening PDF files. This will set Adobe Acrobat as the default PDF viewer once again, and Chrome will open PDF files in Adobe Acrobat instead of its built-in PDF viewer.
Reverting back to Adobe Acrobat is a straightforward process, and you can do so at any time if you find that you prefer using Adobe Acrobat over Chrome’s built-in PDF viewer. This gives you the flexibility to choose the PDF viewer that best suits your needs and preferences.