Learn two simple methods to change the default PDF viewer in Windows 10.
On Windows 10, Microsoft Edge is the default PDF viewer. That means whenever you open a PDF file, it opens in Edge. Generally, this is perfectly serviceable, and a vast majority of users never need to think about changing it. However, if you don’t want to use Microsoft Edge to view PDF files or want to use a dedicated PDF reader, you can change the default PDF viewer by modifying the PDF file association setting. You can do it using the “Open with” dialog or using the Settings app. For example, Sumatra PDF is my favorite PDF reader. So, I set it as my default following the methods below.
So, in this quick and easy guide, let me show you two methods to set your favorite PDF reader as the default in Windows 10. Let’s get started.
Change Default PDF Viewer in Windows 10 Using ‘Open With’ Dialog
The easiest way to change the default PDF viewer on Windows 10 is to use the ‘Open With’ dialog. Here’s how to do it in simple steps.
- Right-click on a PDF file.
- Select the “Open with” > “Choose another app” option.
- Select the PDF application.
- Select the “Always use this app to open .pdf files” checkbox.
- Click “OK“.
- With that, you’ve changed the default PDF viewer in Windows 10.
Detailed Steps (With Screenshots)
First, open the File Explorer by pressing the “Windows key + E” shortcut. Next, find the PDF file you want to open, right-click on it, and select the “Open with” and then the “Choose another app” option.
The above action opens the “Open with” dialog. Here, select the PDF reader from the list of available applications, select the “Always use this app to open .pdf files” checkbox, and click “OK”.
Note: Sometimes, you might not find the application in the “Open with” list. In that case, scroll down the list, click the “More apps” link, and then click the “Look for another app on this PC” option. Now, browse to the application installation folder, select the EXE file, and click”Open.
That’s it. With that, you’ve changed the default PDF reader in Windows 10.
Change the Default PDF Reader Using Settings
You can also manually change the PDF file association setting to set the default PDF viewer. Here’s how to do it.
- Open Settings with “Windows key + I“.
- Go to the “Apps” > “Default Apps” page.
- Click the “Choose default apps by file types” option.
- Click the .pdf extension from the list.
- Choose the PDF viewer of your choice.
- Close the “Settings” app.
- You’ve changed the PDF viewer in Windows 10.
Detailed Steps (With Screenshots)
Open the settings app by pressing the keyboard shortcut “Windows key + I” or by clicking on the “All Settings” button in the Action Center. Once it opens, click the “Apps” option and then go to the “Default Apps” tab on the left sidebar.
On the right page, scroll down and click the “Choose default apps by file types” link.
This is where you can associate file types with their respective applications. So, scroll down till you find the “.pdf” file type.
Click the “.pdf” file type and select a PDF viewer of your choice from the list. In my case, I’m selecting the “Sumatra PDF” reader.
As soon as you select an application, it is associated with the PDF file type. From now on, Windows 10 will use that application to open the PDF files.
That is all. It is that simple to change the default PDF view in Windows 10. If you have any questions or need help, comment below. I’ll be happy to assist.
Good to read: How to change the default PDF viewer in Windows 11
