Often when you click a PDF file from various agency websites, you will get a message saying your PDF reader needs to be updated. This is because Google Chrome’s built-in PDF viewer is opening the file when you click it instead of Adobe Reader. Here is how to prevent Chrome from opening PDF files.
Stop Chrome Automatically Opening PDFs
When Google Chrome’s PDF viewer is enabled, it will automatically open any PDF you click on online. As a result, you’ll have to complete another step to download your PDF. On top of that, this feature can be tricky as it’s easy to forget to download a file if you’re already viewing it online, forcing you to look for the file again later when you close the tab.
If you want to avoid wasting time and download PDF files directly instead of opening them in Google Chrome, here’s what to do:
- Click on the three-dot menu icon in the upper-right corner of the Google Chrome window.
- Select “Settings” from the drop-down menu.
- Navigate to the “Privacy and security” tab in the left pane.
- Scroll down to the “Site settings” tab under the “Privacy and security” section.
- Go to the bottom of the page and click on the “Additional content settings” option.
- Tap the “PDF documents” tab.
- Under the “Default behavior” section, check the “Download PDFs” box.
With this option enabled, Google Chrome will stop automatically opening PDF files in the browser window. Instead, it will download the files to your PC, where you can choose which app you’ll use to view and edit them.
Stop Chrome Opening PDF After Download
Even when Google Chrome is set to download PDF files directly, it will sometimes open the file automatically after saving it to your PC. If you want to take away Google Chrome’s autonomy regarding PDF files altogether, follow these steps:
- Download the desired PDF file.
- Right-click the downloaded file in the “Recent Downloads” section.
- Uncheck the “Always open with [System Viewer]” option.
This action will apply to all future PDF downloads. So, the next time you download a PDF file, Google Chrome won’t automatically launch the default PDF viewer.