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Firefox won't open .pdfs in Acrobat

Alan Sanstad
Alan Sanstad
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I have always read downloaded .pdf files in Acrobat. I inadvertently changed the setting to "Open in Firefox" (I got a prompt and clicked it without intending to). I have changed the preference back to "Use Adobe Acrobat" in Settings/General/Applications, but Firefox keeps opening pdfs in a browser window. How do I get Firefox to abide by my preference setting?

I have always read downloaded .pdf files in Acrobat. I inadvertently changed the setting to "Open in Firefox" (I got a prompt and clicked it without intending to). I have changed the preference back to "Use Adobe Acrobat" in Settings/General/Applications, but Firefox keeps opening pdfs in a browser window. How do I get Firefox to abide by my preference setting?

Chosen solution

Thanks for your quick response!

I was opening them by clicking on the file icons (which changed appearance when it went to browser opening). After I sent the inquiry I got a pop-up while in Acrobat asking if I wanted to set the latter to my default pdf app; I clicked yes, and it changed it.

So if something like this happens again I know to go to WFE default apps. But: Why didn't changing the preference within Firefox work?

NB: My problem is solved but on this screen I seem to be able to either reply, or report problem solved, but not both. It's solved.

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All Replies (3)

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 25 Contributor
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Are you opening them from the Downloads button drop-down list, or from the folder where they were saved (Windows File Explorer)?

If the problem is the downloads list, use right-click > Always Open in Acrobat

If the problem is in Windows File Explorer, you need to go into the default apps control panel to reset .pdf to Acrobat.

If neither of those works, is the website using its own previewer instead of sending Firefox the PDF?

Alan Sanstad
Alan Sanstad Question owner
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Chosen Solution

Thanks for your quick response!

I was opening them by clicking on the file icons (which changed appearance when it went to browser opening). After I sent the inquiry I got a pop-up while in Acrobat asking if I wanted to set the latter to my default pdf app; I clicked yes, and it changed it.

So if something like this happens again I know to go to WFE default apps. But: Why didn't changing the preference within Firefox work?

NB: My problem is solved but on this screen I seem to be able to either reply, or report problem solved, but not both. It's solved.

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 25 Contributor
more options

Changing the setting within Firefox should fix how Firefox opens PDFs from websites, but it doesn't change what Windows does when you launch a PDF in Windows File Explorer.