PDFs are a widely used format for documents, forms, and ebooks. They are great for viewing and sharing documents because they retain their formatting and appearance across different devices and operating systems. However, sometimes the default program that opens PDFs may not be suitable for your needs. For example, if you are using a different PDF viewer for better features or better user interface. That’s why you may want to change your preference for opening PDFs on your computer.
This blog post will offer you different methods to change your preferences for opening PDFs on a Windows or a Mac computer.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
Before we start exploring different methods to change preferences for opening PDFs, below is a list of things you’ll need:
- A Windows or Mac computer
- Internet connectivity
- A PDF file
- The PDF viewer of your choice installed on your computer
What Requires Your Focus?
Changing preferences for opening PDFs on your computer is a simple task that can be accomplished easily by following one of the methods given below. However, it requires your focus to choose the right method that suits your preferences. You may want to consider the following things before selecting the method to use:
- Your computer operating system – Windows or Mac
- The default program that opens PDFs on your computer, if any
- The PDF viewer of your choice installed on your computer and its compatibility with your operating system
Different Methods to Change Preferences For Opening PDFs
Here are three methods that can be used to change preferences for opening PDFs on a Windows or a Mac computer:
Method 1: Change the Preferences within the PDF Viewer
If you have already installed a PDF viewer of your choice, for example Adobe Reader, you can easily set it as your default PDF viewer for your computer.
- Open the PDF viewer on your computer.
- Click on ‘Edit’ from the menu bar on the top-left corner.
- Select ‘Preferences’ from the drop-down list.
- In the Preferences dialog box, choose ‘General’ from the sidebar on the left.
- Under the ‘Default PDF Handler’ section, choose ‘Select As Default PDF Handler’
- A ‘Set Default Programs’ dialog box will open on your screen. Choose your preferred PDF viewer from the list of programs.
- Click on ‘Set this program as default’ to set the PDF viewer as your default program for opening PDF files on your computer.
- Click ‘OK’ to close the dialog boxes.
Pros:
- Easy to follow and can be accomplished within the PDF viewer
- Default PDF viewer preference changes only apply to the current user profile
Cons:
- May not apply to all file types, only PDFs
- May not be available in all PDF viewers
Method 2: Change the Preferences using the Control Panel (Windows users only)
If you are using a Windows computer, you can easily set a default program for opening PDFs via the Control Panel.
- Open the Control Panel on your Windows computer.
- Select ‘Default Programs’ from the list of options provided.
- Select ‘Associate a file type or protocol with a program’ from the list of options provided.
- Scroll down the list of file types until you get to ‘.pdf’ extension.
- Select the .pdf extension and click on the ‘Change program…’ button.
- Choose your preferred PDF viewer from the list of programs.
- Tick the box next to ‘Always use the selected program to open this kind of file’.
- Click ‘OK’ to set the PDF viewer as your default program for opening PDF files on your computer.
Pros:
- Easy to follow and can be accomplished within the Control Panel
- Default PDF viewer preference changes apply to all user profiles on the computer
Cons:
- May not apply to all file types, only PDFs
- May not be available in all versions of Windows
Method 3: Change the Preferences using Settings (Mac users only)
If you are using a Mac computer, you can easily set a default program for opening PDFs via the Settings.
- Open ‘Finder’ on your Mac computer.
- Right-click on any PDF file.
- Select ‘Get Info’ from the list of options provided.
- In the Info dialog box, under ‘Open With’, select your preferred PDF viewer from the list of programs.
- Click the ‘Change All…’ button.
- Click ‘Continue’ on the pop-up message to confirm the change.
- Close the Info dialog box.
Pros:
- Easy to follow and can be accomplished within the Settings
- Default PDF viewer preference changes apply to all user profiles on the computer
Cons:
- May not apply to all file types, only PDFs
- May not be available in all versions of Mac OS X
Why Can’t I Change the Preferences for Opening PDFs?
Even after following the above methods, you may still be unable to change the preferences for opening PDFs. Given below are some reasons why this may happen:
1. No PDF Viewer
If there’s no PDF viewer installed on your computer, you will not be able to change the preferences. Before following any of the above-mentioned methods, make sure to download and install a PDF viewer like Adobe Acrobat Reader, Foxit Reader etc.
2. Permission Problem
Depending on your computer’s settings and the type of user account you’re using, there may be restrictions on changing system preferences such as program defaults. You may need to log in as an administrator or contact your IT department for help.
3. Corrupt OS File
If the operating system files are corrupted, adding a default program to open PDFs may not be successful. To fix this issue, you may need to check for updates on your operating system and install any available updates.
4. Outdated OS
Some operating systems do not support the latest PDF viewer. You may need to upgrade your operating system to use the newest version of the PDF viewer and to change the preferences for opening PDFs.
Implications and Recommendations
You can change the preferences for opening PDFs on your computer easily by following one of the above methods. This will enable you to choose your preferred PDF viewer or to associate PDF files with a specific program. This is useful for accessing PDF files frequently and for enhancing your user experience.
- Ensure that you have a PDF viewer installed on your computer before attempting to change the preferences for opening PDFs.
- Review each method given above to choose the one that best suits your preferences and operating system.
- You can try one of the methods below to solve possible issues with changing the preferences: installing the latest PDF viewer, checking your user account privileges, running a system virus scan, or repairing corrupted operating system files.
5 FAQs about Changing Preferences for Opening PDFs
Q1: How do I know which program is the default for opening PDFs on my computer?
A: Right-click on any PDF file on your computer, select ‘Properties/Get Info,’ and look for the ‘Open with’ option. The program listed will be the default program for opening PDFs on your computer.
Q2: Is it possible to have multiple PDF viewers installed on my computer without conflicts?
A: Yes. You can have multiple PDF viewers installed on your computer, and you can choose which program to use to open PDF files. However, make sure to set the preferences for opening PDFs in only one of these programs to avoid conflicts.
Q3: Can I set different default PDF viewers for different file types on my computer?
A: No. You can only set one default program for all file types with the extension ".pdf".
Q4: What should I do if I can’t find the PDF viewer in the list of programs in Windows settings?
A: Click on ‘More’ and select the location of the PDF viewer installation from the file explorer window.
Q5: Can I change the preferences for opening PDFs on my mobile device?
A: Yes. You can change the preferences for opening PDFs on your mobile device by selecting a default PDF viewer under your device settings.
In Conclusion
By changing preferences for opening PDFs on your computer you can choose your preferred PDF viewer or associate PDF files with a specific program. It is useful in accessing PDF files frequently and enhances your user experience.
You can choose from one of the three methods mentioned above to change the preferences, which include changing the preferences within a PDF Viewer, Control Panel (Windows) or Settings (Mac), given that you have a PDF viewer installed on your device. It is recommended to review all methods and choose the one that best suits your needs and the operating system you are using.