This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

Avatar for Username

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

Why does Firefox change my PDF viewing choice from Adobe to Firefox?

  • 2 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 6 views
  • Last reply by LesF

LesF
LesF
more options

My OS is Win 7 Pro 64-bit, and I'm running FFv. 81.0.2 32-bit. 

I have my Windows system set to open any PDF file using Adobe Reader.

All PDF files show the Adobe icon, and open with Adobe from my desktop or my other browsers (Pale Moon and Internet Explorer). However, in FF, they open using FF, and change all my settings and icons to show as FF icons and all PDF file to open with FF. I have all my settings in the FF options to use Adobe Reader for all PDF and other Adobe documents to use Adobe Reader, but FF still insists on opening PDF files and changing all PDF icons to the FF icon (i.e., breaking the PDF associations with Adobe Reader that I had previously set). I have to go into my control panel to associate the PDF extension with Adobe each time this happens.

How can I stop FF from doing this?

My OS is Win 7 Pro 64-bit, and I'm running FFv. 81.0.2 32-bit. I have my Windows system set to open any PDF file using Adobe Reader. All PDF files show the Adobe icon, and open with Adobe from my desktop or my other browsers (Pale Moon and Internet Explorer). However, in FF, they open using FF, and change all my settings and icons to show as FF icons and all PDF file to open with FF. I have all my settings in the FF options to use Adobe Reader for all PDF and other Adobe documents to use Adobe Reader, but FF still insists on opening PDF files and changing all PDF icons to the FF icon (i.e., breaking the PDF associations with Adobe Reader that I had previously set). I have to go into my control panel to associate the PDF extension with Adobe each time this happens. How can I stop FF from doing this?

Modified by LesF

Chosen solution

Is this a problem with the initial access to the PDF, it opens in a tab, or when you use the Downloads list?

For initial access, if you always want to use Adobe, you can change the setting on the Options page: View PDF files using Firefox’s built-in viewer.

But if you don't want to change that setting for all PDFs:

On the Downloads list, right-click the download and choose Open in System Viewer to avoid having it open in Firefox:

Read this answer in context 👍 0

All Replies (2)

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 10 Contributor
more options

Chosen Solution

Is this a problem with the initial access to the PDF, it opens in a tab, or when you use the Downloads list?

For initial access, if you always want to use Adobe, you can change the setting on the Options page: View PDF files using Firefox’s built-in viewer.

But if you don't want to change that setting for all PDFs:

On the Downloads list, right-click the download and choose Open in System Viewer to avoid having it open in Firefox:

LesF
LesF Question owner
more options

Thank you. This reply was very helpful.