How to Disable Chrome PDF Viewer
Disabling the built-in Chrome PDF Viewer forces Google Chrome to download PDF files or open them in a dedicated desktop application like Adobe Acrobat Reader instead of displaying them inside a browser tab. The feature uses a tool called PDF.js to render documents directly in Version 120 and later of the browser.
Turning off this internal reader lets your computer handle PDFs with advanced tools required for filling out forms or viewing secure files. Access the site settings menu in Chrome to change this behavior in just a few clicks.
Disable Chrome’s PDF viewer by going to Settings Privacy and security > Site Settings Additional content settings PDF documents and selecting “Download PDFs.” This forces Chrome to use your default external PDF application.
Method 1Using Chrome Settings
You can easily disable Chrome’s built-in PDF viewer using its settings menu. This stops Chrome from opening PDF files automatically, so they will download to your computer instead. It’s a simple way to change how your browser handles PDF documents.
- Open Google Chrome.
- Click the three dots in the top-right corner and select Settings. %📂%LNK0%%
- Click on Privacy and security on the left, then select Site Settings.
google chrome settings options - Scroll down and click on Additional content settings.
chrome download pdf - Select PDF documents.
- Choose Download PDFs to force Chrome to stop opening them.
download pdf documents in chrome
Method 2Using the Windows Registry (Admin Required)
This method requires administrator privileges. It is best for IT teams managing many computers.
- Press Win+R, type
regedit, and press Enter.
windows registry editor run box - Navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\SOFTWARE\\Policies\\Google\\Chrome.
create google chrome key registry - Right-click Chrome, select New DWORD (32-bit) Value.
- Name it
AlwaysOpenPdfExternally. - Set the value to
1.
chrome external open pdf in window
Troubleshooting PDF Issues
If you experience a PDF download loop, clear your browser cache. If PDFs stop opening entirely, return to the settings menu and toggle the setting back to ‘Open PDFs in Chrome’. This resets the MIME types for your browser.
Summary
This allows you to use external tools like Adobe Acrobat. Always ensure your external reader is updated to maintain security after disabling the built-in sandboxed viewer.
Does disabling the PDF viewer affect Chrome performance?
Disabling the built-in PDF viewer has a negligible impact on overall browser performance. However, it may slightly improve memory usage by preventing Chrome from loading its internal PDF rendering engine for every document, shifting that resource load to your external PDF application instead.
Can I disable the PDF viewer for specific websites only?
Chrome does not currently offer a native feature to disable the PDF viewer for specific websites only. The setting is a global browser configuration. To achieve site-specific behavior, you would need to use a third-party browser extension that manages MIME types or handles PDF redirection based on URL patterns.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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