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Set preferences to use Adobe to open pdf files instead of builin viewer

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  • Last reply by Mike Kaply

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I am looking for a preference setting in one of the configuration files, preferably user.js, to tell Firefox to open pdf files using "Adobe acrobat (default)" rather than the built in viewer. I can do it through the user interface, but I need to push the setting to multiple users. I noticed that when I manually change the setting, pdfjs.enabledCache.state is changed from true to false. But that does not seem to be the only setting that changes.

I am looking for a preference setting in one of the configuration files, preferably user.js, to tell Firefox to open pdf files using "Adobe acrobat (default)" rather than the built in viewer. I can do it through the user interface, but I need to push the setting to multiple users. I noticed that when I manually change the setting, pdfjs.enabledCache.state is changed from true to false. But that does not seem to be the only setting that changes.

Chosen solution

See also:

DisableBuiltinPDFViewer:

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All Replies (4)

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Hi tanyaj, this flag is stored in a file in the user's profile named handlers.json. I don't know whether there is a way to preset that, but there is a policy option to disable the built-in viewer, which might then cause the default application to be used.

More info on policy: Customizing Firefox Using Group Policy (Windows)

Meanwhile, I'll flag this thread as belonging under Firefox for Enterprise, which I think is more suited to the problem.

Modified by jscher2000 - Support Volunteer

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Jscher2000, thank you for your reply. I have tried disabling the built-in viewer. That causes the filed to be downloaded instead of opened in Adobe viewer.

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Chosen Solution

See also:

DisableBuiltinPDFViewer:

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> That causes the filed to be downloaded instead of opened in Adobe viewer.

Were they offered Adobe as a choice to open the file?