How To Change The Default PDF Reader In Windows 10

The Microsoft Edge is not only the default web browser in Windows 10 but also the default PDF reader in the newest version of the Windows operating system. This is definitely a good thing as we can finally view PDF files without having to install third-party apps or Microsoft’s own Reader app that it introduced with the previous version of Windows.

While Microsoft Edge is definitely better than Internet Explorer, the current version of the web browser from Microsoft is lacks many features offered by its rivals. This is the reason why many users are using Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Opera as their default browser in Windows 10 as against the default browser.

While it’s true that Edge supports PDF files, it’s more of a basic PDF reader when compared to third-party PDF readers. If you prefer to have a feature-rich application as the default PDF reader instead of Edge, you have plenty of options to choose from.

Best PDF reader software for Windows 10

Popular web browsers like Chrome and Firefox support PDF files, meaning you can use these browsers to open and view your PDF files. That said, these web browsers don’t offer all PDF functionalities you would expect in a good PDF reader software like Gaaiho PDF Reader, Soda 3D PDF Reader, or the small Foxit Reader.

If you prefer to use Chrome, Firefox, Adobe Reader, Gaaiho PDF Reader, or any other good desktop program as the default PDF reader in Windows 10, you can do so by following the directions given below.

Changing the default PDF reader in Windows 10

Method 1 of 3

Step 1: Open up File Explorer, navigate to a folder containing any PDF file, right-click on a PDF file, click Open with, click Choose another app to open option to open “How do you want to open this file?” fly-out.

Step 2: Before selecting a program, check the box labeled Always use this app to open .pdf files.

Either select one of the listed apps or click More apps, select a program, or scroll to down to see Look for another app in this PC link. Click Look for another app in this PC to browse to the program that you want to set as the default PDF reader, select the program, and then click the Open button to set it as the default.

Method 2 of 3

Step 1: Open the Settings app. Navigate to Apps > Default apps.

Step 2: Scroll down the page to see Choose default apps by file type link. Click on it.

change the default PDF reader in Windows 10 pic2

Step 3: When you get the following page listing all file types, look for the .PDF entry. Click on the app name next to the PDF entry (Edge is the default in this case) and then select an app from the list to set it as the default.

change the default PDF reader in Windows 10

change the default PDF reader in Windows 10 pic1

Method 2 of 3

Another way to change the default PDF reader in Windows 10

This method doesn’t seem to work in version 1909 and later versions.

Step 1: Type default programs in the Start menu search box and press Enter to open the desktop version of Default Programs.

Alternatively, open Control Panel, change View by to Small icons, and then click Default Programs to open the same.

Step 2: Click the second link labeled Associate a file type or protocol with a program, and wait for a couple of seconds to load all file types.

Step 3: Scroll down the list to see the PDF entry. Click on the PDF entry, and then click the Change program button to open “How do you want to open this PDF file from now on” fly-out.

Step 4: Either select one of the programs displayed in the list or click More apps, click Look for another app on this PC link to browse to the program that you want to use as the default PDF reader and finally, click Open button to select it as the default PDF reader in Windows 10.