Are you tired of your computer opening PDF files in a program you don’t want to use? Do you want to change the default PDF viewer on your device, but don’t know where to start? You’re not alone. Many people struggle with this issue, but it’s actually quite easy to fix. In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of resetting your default PDF viewer on various devices and operating systems.
Why Reset Your Default PDF Viewer?
Before we dive into the instructions, let’s talk about why you might want to reset your default PDF viewer in the first place. There are several reasons why you might want to make this change:
- You prefer a different PDF viewer: Maybe you’ve found a PDF viewer that you like better than the one that’s currently set as your default. Perhaps it has more features, or it’s more user-friendly.
- The current default viewer is slow or buggy: If the PDF viewer that’s currently set as your default is slow, crashes frequently, or has other issues, you might want to switch to a different one.
- You need to use a specific PDF viewer for work or school: In some cases, you might need to use a specific PDF viewer for work or school. For example, you might need to use Adobe Acrobat to edit PDFs, or you might need to use a specific viewer to access certain features.
Resetting Your Default PDF Viewer On Windows
If you’re using a Windows computer, resetting your default PDF viewer is a relatively straightforward process. Here’s how to do it:
Method 1: Using The Settings App
Windows 10 and later versions of the operating system make it easy to change your default PDF viewer using the Settings app. Here’s how:
- Click on the Start button and select the Settings app.
- Click on “Apps” and then select “Default apps”.
- Scroll down to the “Choose default apps by file type” section.
- Click on the “.pdf” file type and select the PDF viewer you want to use as your default.
Method 2: Using The Control Panel
If you’re using an earlier version of Windows, or if you prefer to use the Control Panel, you can reset your default PDF viewer using the following steps:
- Click on the Start button and select the Control Panel.
- Click on “Programs” and then select “Default Programs”.
- Click on “Associate a file type or protocol with a program”.
- Scroll down to the “.pdf” file type and select the PDF viewer you want to use as your default.
Resetting Your Default PDF Viewer On Mac
If you’re using a Mac, resetting your default PDF viewer is also relatively easy. Here’s how to do it:
Method 1: Using The Finder
You can reset your default PDF viewer using the Finder. Here’s how:
- Open the Finder and select a PDF file.
- Right-click (or control-click) on the file and select “Get Info”.
- Click on the “Open with” dropdown menu and select the PDF viewer you want to use as your default.
- Click on the “Change All” button to set the new PDF viewer as the default for all PDF files.
Method 2: Using The Preview App
If you’re using the Preview app to view PDFs, you can reset your default PDF viewer using the following steps:
- Open the Preview app and select “Preview” from the menu bar.
- Select “Preferences” and then click on the “Files” tab.
- Click on the “Default PDF viewer” dropdown menu and select the PDF viewer you want to use as your default.
Resetting Your Default PDF Viewer On Android
If you’re using an Android device, resetting your default PDF viewer is a bit more complicated than on Windows or Mac. However, it’s still relatively easy to do. Here’s how:
Method 1: Using The Settings App
You can reset your default PDF viewer using the Settings app. Here’s how:
- Open the Settings app and select “Apps”.
- Select the PDF viewer that’s currently set as your default.
- Click on the “Clear defaults” button to reset the default PDF viewer.
- Open a PDF file and select the PDF viewer you want to use as your default.
Method 2: Using The Google Play Store
You can also reset your default PDF viewer using the Google Play Store. Here’s how:
- Open the Google Play Store and select the PDF viewer you want to use as your default.
- Click on the “Install” button to install the app.
- Open a PDF file and select the new PDF viewer as your default.
Resetting Your Default PDF Viewer On IOS
If you’re using an iOS device, resetting your default PDF viewer is a bit more complicated than on other devices. However, it’s still relatively easy to do. Here’s how:
Method 1: Using The Settings App
You can reset your default PDF viewer using the Settings app. Here’s how:
- Open the Settings app and select “Safari”.
- Select “Downloads” and then click on the “PDFs” tab.
- Click on the “Default PDF viewer” dropdown menu and select the PDF viewer you want to use as your default.
Method 2: Using The Files App
You can also reset your default PDF viewer using the Files app. Here’s how:
- Open the Files app and select a PDF file.
- Click on the “Share” button and select the PDF viewer you want to use as your default.
- Click on the “Set as default” button to set the new PDF viewer as the default for all PDF files.
Troubleshooting Tips
If you’re having trouble resetting your default PDF viewer, here are a few troubleshooting tips to try:
- Make sure the PDF viewer you want to use is installed: If the PDF viewer you want to use isn’t installed on your device, you won’t be able to set it as your default.
- Check the file type associations: If you’re having trouble resetting your default PDF viewer, try checking the file type associations on your device. You can do this by going to the Settings app or Control Panel and selecting the “Default apps” or “Associate a file type or protocol with a program” option.
- Restart your device: Sometimes, simply restarting your device can resolve issues with resetting your default PDF viewer.
Conclusion
Resetting your default PDF viewer is a relatively easy process, regardless of the device or operating system you’re using. By following the steps outlined in this article, you should be able to reset your default PDF viewer and start using the PDF viewer of your choice. Remember to troubleshoot any issues that arise, and don’t hesitate to reach out for help if you need it.
What Is The Default PDF Viewer And Why Do I Need To Reset It?
The default PDF viewer is the application that opens when you click on a PDF file on your computer. It is usually set by the operating system or by a software installation. However, you may need to reset it if you have installed a new PDF viewer and want to use it as the default, or if the current default viewer is not functioning properly.
Resetting the default PDF viewer can also help resolve issues with PDF files not opening correctly or not displaying properly. Additionally, some PDF viewers may have more features or better performance than others, so resetting the default viewer can help you take advantage of these benefits.
How Do I Know Which PDF Viewer Is Currently Set As The Default?
To find out which PDF viewer is currently set as the default, you can try opening a PDF file on your computer. The application that opens the file is likely the default PDF viewer. Alternatively, you can check the file associations settings on your computer. In Windows, you can do this by going to the Control Panel and clicking on “Default Programs”. In macOS, you can go to the “Apple Menu” and select “System Preferences”, then click on “Associations”.
If you are still unsure, you can also check the properties of a PDF file. Right-click on the file and select “Properties” (in Windows) or “Get Info” (in macOS). The default PDF viewer should be listed as the application associated with the file.
What Are The Steps To Reset The Default PDF Viewer In Windows?
To reset the default PDF viewer in Windows, you need to go to the Control Panel and click on “Default Programs”. Then, click on “Associate a file type or protocol with a program”. Scroll down and find the “.pdf” file type, then click on it. Click on the “Change program” button and select the new PDF viewer you want to use as the default.
Once you have selected the new PDF viewer, click on the “OK” button to save the changes. You may need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect. After restarting, try opening a PDF file to test if the new default viewer is working correctly.
What Are The Steps To Reset The Default PDF Viewer In MacOS?
To reset the default PDF viewer in macOS, you need to go to the “Apple Menu” and select “System Preferences”. Then, click on “Associations”. Find the “.pdf” file type in the list and click on it. Then, select the new PDF viewer you want to use as the default from the dropdown menu.
Once you have selected the new PDF viewer, close the “Associations” window to save the changes. You may need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect. After restarting, try opening a PDF file to test if the new default viewer is working correctly.
Can I Reset The Default PDF Viewer Using The PDF Viewer Application Itself?
Some PDF viewer applications may have an option to set themselves as the default viewer. To check if this is the case, open the PDF viewer application and look for an option in the settings or preferences menu. This option may be labeled as “Make default PDF viewer” or something similar.
If the option is available, click on it to set the application as the default PDF viewer. This method may not work in all cases, and you may still need to use the operating system’s file associations settings to reset the default viewer.
Will Resetting The Default PDF Viewer Affect Other File Types?
Resetting the default PDF viewer should only affect PDF files and should not affect other file types. However, if you are using a PDF viewer that also supports other file types, such as image files or text files, resetting the default viewer may also affect these file types.
To avoid affecting other file types, make sure to only change the file association for PDF files (.pdf) and not for other file types. If you are unsure, you can always check the file associations settings to see which file types are associated with the PDF viewer.
Can I Reset The Default PDF Viewer To A Web-based PDF Viewer?
Yes, you can reset the default PDF viewer to a web-based PDF viewer, such as Google Drive or Dropbox. However, this may require additional steps and may not work in all cases.
To reset the default PDF viewer to a web-based PDF viewer, you may need to install a browser extension or add-on that allows you to open PDF files in the web-based viewer. You may also need to configure the file associations settings to associate PDF files with the web-based viewer.