How to open PDF files in Edge by default on Windows

The PDF files They have become the standard for sharing documents because of their consistency, reliability and resistance to unwanted changesContracts, forms, resumes, and articles arrive in this format, and more and more users prefer to open them directly in the browser. On Windows, Microsoft Edge It acts as an integrated viewfinder and, with a few adjustments, can be configured to Open PDFs by default or, on the contrary, always leave them in the hands of another application.

If you want Edge to take control when opening any PDF, or the opposite (that PDFs open in Adobe Acrobat(PDFelement or another viewer), in this article you will find all configuration paths in Windows 10 and Windows 11, the specific settings within Edge to manage downloads and opening, and a complete overview of what the PDF reader of Microsoft Edge It currently offers: reading, annotation, accessibility, security features, and even support for documents protected by Microsoft PurviewYou'll also see typical solutions when the system He returns to Edge “on his own” after an update or due to company policies.

Why your PDFs open in Edge and what advantages it offers

Since Windows 10, Microsoft Edge is the system default PDF viewerSo, if you don't change anything, any PDF will open with it. This isn't arbitrary: like Chrome, Edge can Upload, display, and print PDFs without installing anything else, and it also incorporates simple editing tools such as freehand drawing and highlighting, making it especially convenient for quick revisions, underlining, or quick signatures.

The main difference compared to other browsers is that Edge adds annotation options which aren't always available from the competition (for example, a stylus with customizable thickness and color). If you're just looking to read, mark up, or fill out simple forms, Edge is usually the best option. more than enoughFor more advanced tasks (image editing, compression, conversion, or automation), it makes sense to choose a dedicated PDF editor and make it your own. default app.

How to open PDFs in Edge by default on Windows

To ensure the system always opens PDF files with Microsoft Edge, the most reliable method is to adjust the Default applications by file typeThe procedure changes slightly between Windows 10 and Windows 11, but the idea is the same: to link the .pdf extension with Edge.

Method in Windows 10 (via Settings):

• Open the Start menu and type "Settings" to enter the windows settings.
• Go to the "Applications" section and enter "Default applications«.
• Scroll down and choose «Choose default apps by file type«.
• In the alphabetical list, look for the .pdf extension (it's at the bottom) and click on the application that appears on the right.
• Choose Microsoft Edge in the selector to set it as the default app for PDFs.

With this change, any .pdf file you open from the File BrowserYour email, desktop, or other applications will open directly in Edge. This is a system setting, so it will be applied automatically. global and consistent.

Method in Windows 11 (via File Properties or Settings):

• Right-click on a PDF, then go to «Propertiesand locate the section "Opens with".
• Click on "Change" and choose Microsoft Edge as an application to open this type of file.
• Confirm with Accept and mark permanent use for all .pdfs if the option appears.

If you prefer the long way from Settings, go to «Applications» > «Default applications» > search for «.pdf» and Edge links as the default app. Either way leaves the same result.

Control whether Edge opens the PDF in the browser or downloads it

Edge lets you define what happens when you click on a PDF on the web: open it in the browser, download it first, or send it to a... external appThis is controlled from its own settings and is key to the daily experience.

To access the setting: open Edge > three-dot menu > «Configuration» > «Cookies and site permissions» (or «Site permissions») > «PDF documents"Here you will see two possible behaviors, which may vary in name depending on the version, but which translate to the same thing:

• Always download PDF filesEdge will download PDFs instead of opening them in the tab. Useful if you want to manage the file locally or open it with another app.
• Always open PDF files externally (in previous versions): when enabled, Edge will send the PDF to your default reader (for example, Adobe Acrobat) instead of displaying it in the browser.

Additionally, in Settings > Downloads, you can enable «Ask me what to do with each download"With this option, every time you download a PDF, the browser will offer you..." Open, Save As, or Saveso you can decide on the fly and avoid automatic behaviors that don't suit you.

Steps to change the default to Adobe Acrobat, PDFelement, or another

If you need advanced editing features (inserting images, converting, compressing, or automating), you'll want PDFs to open in a... specific editorThe process to make Adobe Acrobat or PDFelement the default is identical to that of Edge, only by selecting the third-party app.

Common path (Windows 10/11) via Default applications:

• Home > Settings > Apps > "Default apps".
• In "Choose default apps by file type", scroll down to . Pdf.
• Click on the current app (it could be Edge) and choose Adobe Acrobat, Wondershare PDFelement or other.

Quick shortcut with the contextual menu in File Explorer:

• Right-click on a PDF > "Open with" > "Choose another application".
• Select your preferred app and mark «Always use this application» for .pdf files.

In the Control Panel (useful in classic environments), go to «Default programs» > «Associate a file type or protocol with a program» and adjust the association of . PdfAlthough it is a more established method, it is still valid and effective in many facilities.

Key features of the Microsoft Edge PDF viewer

Edge's PDF reader is integrated into the browser and works on Windows and macOS. It includes fluid reading, navigation, and annotations, accessible from a top bar with zoom, rotation, fit to width or page, search and jump to page.

Some of your main capabilities:

• View and print PDFs Local, online, or embedded in web pages. Supported since stable branch 79.0.309.71.
• Basic form filling (Forms with JavaScript are not supported). Also from version 79.0.309.71.
• Table of Contents to navigate through labeled sections (stable since 86.0.622.38).
• Page view with options of one or two pages side by side (88.0.705.50).
• Exploration by matching mode (caret browsing): Activate with F7 to move with keyboard, select text and create highlights (87.0.664.41).
• Handwritten entry (inking) with pencil and color and thickness customization (80.0.361.48) and advanced pencil settings (83.0.478.54).
• Highlighted with color selection and post editing (81.0.416.53).
• text notes on selected passages (88.0.705.50).
• Read out loud with visual text tracking (84.0.522.63).
• Digital signatures based on certificates: visualization and validation within the PDF.

In corporate settings, Edge allows opening PDFs protected by Microsoft Purview Information Protection (MIP) both within the same tenant and between tenants (extended compatibility from version 91.0.864.37). It also supports documents with Information Rights Management (IRM) from libraries of SharePointwithout any additional plugins. If the user has viewing permissions in their profile, the document will open directly in the navigator.

Restrictions to consider: the architecture XFA (Forms XML) is not supported, and there are specific accessibility scenarios still evolving. Although Edge covers many cases, if you work with complex forms or flows with JavaScriptYou might need a dedicated reader/editor.

Accessibility, safety and reliability

Edge's PDF viewer respects the keyboard accessibility (including F7 scanning), high-contrast mode, and screen reader support on both Windows and macOS. This makes navigating form fields easier, the highlights and links without relying on the mouse.

Security is based on process isolation: each PDF opened from different sources is executed in separate containersminimizing the impact of detect a malicious PDF in WindowsIn managed environments, Microsoft Defender Application Guard (Application protection) can open sites outside the trusted list in an isolated window, and any PDFs downloaded into that container are reopened in the same protected environment, ensuring the full life cycle of the document.

Edge is continuously updated and, being based on Chromium, inherits a level of reliability and performance Stable and familiar. The PDF reader unfolds and updates alongside the browser: you don't need additional maintenance for the viewer.

Practical tips: downloads and opening according to your workflow

If you're bothered by PDFs always opening in your browser, enable the option in Edge to Always download the PDF filesThis way, each PDF will go to your downloads folder and you can open it with your preferred app. If you prefer to decide on a case-by-case basis, enable the option in Settings > Downloads Ask me what to do with each download, and choose Open, Save or Save As when appropriate.

Another useful combination: if you set "Always open PDFs externally" in PDF Documents, Edge will send the file to your default reader (like Adobe Acrobat) without going through the built-in viewer. This option is ideal if you want to keep coherence between what you open from the browser and what you open locally.

Alternatives to Edge: Adobe Acrobat, PDFelement, and other options

Edge is free and reliable for reading and light annotationHowever, its scope is limited if you need to edit content, manipulate images, convert to other formats, or compress. That's where tools like [tool name] come in. Adobe Acrobat (very comprehensive, but more expensive) or Wondershare PDFelement (more economical, with editing, conversion, compression, forms and assisted functions by IAThere are also options such as ApowerPDFwith utilities for creating, editing, watermarking, headers, or splitting files; to compare readers there is a PDF reader comparison which can help you choose.

If you choose any of these, remember to set it as default app To create a PDF file, follow the Windows 10/11 steps we've outlined. This will prevent the system from crashing when you double-click the file. go back to Edge default.

Step-by-step guide: all methods to set the default

We summarize the methods so you can choose the one that's most convenient for you:

• Configuring Windows (recommended): Apps > Default apps > "Choose default apps by file type" > .pdf > select Edge or your favorite app.
• Contextual menuRight-click on a PDF > Open with > Choose another app > check "Always use this app" and choose Edge/Adobe/PDFelement.
• file properties (Windows 11): Properties > Opens with > Change > select the desired application.
• Control panel: Default programs > Associate a file type or protocol > .pdf > select the application.

The first method is the most complete and the one that causes the fewest problems after updatesThe others are perfect as shortcuts when you're working with a specific file or want to change quickly without navigating through all the Settings.

Troubleshooting: When Windows reverts to Edge "just because"

In some systems, especially those managed in corporate environments, file associations may become corrupted. restart after updates and PDFs open unexpectedly with Edge. If you work with GPOs (Group Policies) and an XML file of associations, verify that the policy of DefaultAssociationsConfiguration It applies to the login and that the XML file has not become outdated.

Best Practices in a company:

• Reapply the .pdf association using user GPO upon login, ensuring persistence after updates.
• Evaluate online tools commands , the SetUserFTA (or MDM solutions in Intune) to force idempotent associations.
• In Microsoft Edge, use the policy «AlwaysOpenPdfExternally» when you want the browser to always send PDFs to the default external application.

If you're not on a domain, check that no newly installed app has claimed the .pdf association and reset your preferred one by following the steps. Setup stepsIt's also worth checking that the "Always download PDF» if you actually want to open them directly in the browser.

Productivity features built into Edge for working with PDFs

Beyond opening and viewing, Edge incorporates very practical tools to study and review documents:

• Table of Contents: displays a side panel with labeled sections and subsections to jump between chapters instantly.
• Two-page view: ideal for comparing or reading as if it were a double-page printed document.
• Highlighting and notesSelect text, choose underline color, and add contextual comments for future revisions.
• Handwritten entry: draw freehand, make quick signatures and change color or stroke thickness according to your needs.
• Read out loudListen to the content and follow along with the active highlighting, perfect for hands-free review.

Using F7 activates the method of comparison In the browser: with a visible cursor, you can navigate with the keyboard, select sections, and operate without a mouse. For those who work with a keyboard, it's a real game-changer. productivity shortcut.

Protected documents, signatures, and compliance

In the corporate environment, Edge allows you to open protected documents directly in the browser. Microsoft Purview Information Protection (MIP), even between tenants, respecting compliance policies and permissions. If you are accessing from SharePoint or another cloud service, you may need to use the «Open in browser"But once with the appropriate permissions, the file will be displayed without needing to..." accessories.

Edge can also verify digital signatures based on certificates present in the PDF, helping to validate the document's integrity and authorship. It is an increasingly critical function for workflows of approval and audit.

Compatibility, limitations, and evolution of the Edge reader

Edge Reader has been adding features since stable versions such as 79.x, 80.x, 83.x, and 88.x onward, with each channel incorporating specific improvements. Compatibility includes viewing and printing, basic forms, highlighting, notes, text-to-speech, a table of contents, two-page view, collation mode, and support. MIP/IRM, among others.

Current limitations: forms based on XFA (legacy technology) are not supported, and certain advanced accessibility assumptions continue to be documented and polishingThe Edge team encourages you to send feedback through their channel. Insider to prioritize improvements and scenarios.

When is Edge a good choice and when should you choose another app?

Use Edge if you prioritize opening speedReading, basic marking, and quick signatures without installing anything. It will be sufficient for daily tasks, studying, and review documents with ease. Switch to a dedicated editor when you need in-depth editing (inserting/editing images), converting between formats, compressing, comparing PDFs, or completing complex forms with scripts; Adobe Acrobat or PDFelement stand out for their toolkit.

If your goal is for Edge to always be the PDF viewer, ensure the .pdf association is enabled in Settings and, in the browser, disable "Open externally" and "Always download." If you want the opposite, enable these options and select another app as the viewer. system defaultAdjusting both levels (Windows + Edge) will prevent surprises.

With all of the above, it's easy to configure PDFs to be Open in Edge by default Or, if you prefer, you can have them always open in Adobe Acrobat or PDFelement with just a couple of clicks. Between the system options and Edge's open/download controls, you can easily adapt the behavior to your workflow.