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

Stop Firefox setting default PDF Reader

more options

I want to use Firefox as my default browser, but when I set it as the default, every PDF file on my computer is changed to open with Firefox. I've changed the option in Firefox to set Adobe as PDF reader, but that did no good. Is there a way to set Firefox as the default browser without altering my default PDF reader?

I want to use Firefox as my default browser, but when I set it as the default, every PDF file on my computer is changed to open with Firefox. I've changed the option in Firefox to set Adobe as PDF reader, but that did no good. Is there a way to set Firefox as the default browser without altering my default PDF reader?

All Replies (1)

more options

That setting is controlled by Windows, not Firefox. It can be changed different ways.

Probably the easiest way is to right click on a PDF file that you already have saved on your computer and select Properties. Under the General tab, there's an Opens with option that shows what program your computer is using to open PDF files. If you press the Change button and set it to your preferred PDF application, that should change only the PDF setting.

Alternatively, on Windows 7, there is the option to change your default programs. This is usually listed in the right side of the start menu. If it's not, you should be able to find it by searching in the start menu. From that window you can select Associate a file type or protocol with a program, find PDF and change the program. See the Change which programs Windows 7 uses by default page on the Microsoft website for more information.

Hope this helps.