You can allow or block Microsoft Edge from opening PDF files externally by changing some settings using Registry Editor or Group Policy Editor in Windows 11/10. In this post, we will show you how to make Edge open PDF files externally or block Edge from opening PDF files externally, depending on your preferences.
Allow or block Microsoft Edge from opening PDF files externally
To allow or block Microsoft Edge from opening PDF files externally, follow these steps:
- Search for group policy in the Taskbar search box.
- Click on the search result.
- Navigate to Microsoft Edge in User Configuration.
- Double-click on the Always open PDF files externally setting.
- Choose the Enabled option to allow.
- Choose the Disabled option to block.
- Click the OK button.
Let’s check out these steps in detail.
First, you need to open the Local Group Policy Editor. For that, you can search for group policy in the Taskbar search box and click on the edit group policy search result.
Then, navigate to the following path:
User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Microsoft Edge
In the Microsoft Edge folder, you can find a setting named Always open PDF files externally. You need to double-click on this setting and choose the Enabled option to allow and the Disabled option to block.
Then, click the OK button to save the change. Finally, you need to restart the Microsoft Edge browser.
In case you want to revert to the original setting, you need to open the same setting in the Local Group Policy Editor and choose the Not Configured option. As usual, restart the Microsoft Edge browser to apply the change.
Allow or prevent Microsoft Edge from opening PDF files externally using Registry
To allow or prevent Microsoft Edge from opening PDF files externally using Registry, follow these steps:
- Press Win+R > type regedit > hit the Enter button.
- Click on the Yes button.
- Go to Microsoft\Edge in HKCU.
- Right-click on Edge > New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
- Set the name as AlwaysOpenPdfExternally.
- Double-click on it to set the Value data.
- Enter 1 to allow and 0 to block.
- Click the OK button.
- Restart your computer.
To learn more about these steps, continue reading.
First, press Win+R to display the Run prompt, type regedit, hit the Enter button, and click on the Yes option on the UAC prompt to open the Registry Editor.
Then, navigate to this path:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge
If you cannot find Edge, right-click on Microsoft > New > Key and name it Edge.
Then, right-click on Edge > New > DWORD (32-bit) Value and set the name as AlwaysOpenPdfExternally.
By default, it comes with a Value data of 0. If you want to prevent Edge from opening PDF files externally, you need to keep that Value data. However, if you want to allow Edge to open PDF files externally, you need to double-click on it and set the Value data as 1.
Finally, click the OK button, close all windows, and restart your computer to get the change.
Read: How to allow or block Google Chrome from opening PDF files externally
How do I stop Microsoft Edge from hijacking my default PDF program?
The procedure to change the default PDF reader is the same for changing any default program. You can use this guide to stop Microsoft Edge from hijacking your default PDF program or opener. It is possible to stop Microsoft Edge from opening PDF files. For that, you need to open the Always open PDF files externally setting and choose the Enabled option. You can do the same using Registry Editor as well.
Read: Rotate PDF, Save Changes, Share PDF, Add Notes using Edge PDF Viewer
Why does Microsoft Edge keep opening my PDF files?
The default setting allows Microsoft Edge to open PDF files on your Windows computer. However, you might not want to do that at times. If so, you can use GPEDIT or REGEDIT to make the change. Two detailed guides are mentioned above, and it is recommended that you follow any of them according to your wish to stop Edge from opening PDF files.
Read: How to change default PDF Viewer from Edge to any other.
