How to Disable Chrome PDF Viewer
You disable Chrome’s built-in PDF viewer to use Adobe Acrobat Reader or another preferred application to open PDF files.
Chrome’s integrated PDF viewer, powered by PDF.js, automatically displays PDF documents within a browser tab. By disabling this feature, you instruct Chrome to download PDFs or automatically open them with your system’s default PDF reader, such as Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, which offers advanced features like digital signatures and complex form filling.
This process is particularly useful if the built-in viewer encounters issues or if you need to work with specific plugins like FileOpen for secure documents. Once disabled, Chrome will no longer render PDFs internally, ensuring your chosen application handles all PDF interactions.
Method 1Using Chrome Settings
You can change this via the Chrome PDF settings page directly.
- 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.
- Scroll down and click on Additional content settings.
- Select PDF documents.
- Choose Download PDFs to force Chrome to stop opening them.
Method 2Using the Windows Registry (Admin Required)
Note: This method requires administrator privileges. It is best for IT teams managing many computers.
- Press Windows Key + R, type
regedit, and press Enter.
- Navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\SOFTWARE\\Policies\\Google\\Chrome.
- Right-click Chrome, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
- Name it
AlwaysOpenPdfExternally. - Set the value to
1.
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
You can disable the Chrome PDF viewer through the standard settings menu or via the Windows Registry for enterprise control. 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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