Windows 11 has brought a lot of changes and updates to the operating system, including a new default pdf viewer. While the new default pdf viewer, Microsoft Edge, may work for some users, others may prefer to use a different pdf viewer. If you’re one of those users, don’t worry, changing the default pdf viewer in Windows 11 is a simple process. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to change the default pdf viewer in Windows 11.
Step 1: Open Settings
The first step to changing the default pdf viewer in Windows 11 is to open the Settings app. You can do this by clicking on the Start button and then clicking on the gear icon in the left-hand menu. Alternatively, you can press the Windows key + I on your keyboard to open the Settings app.
Step 2: Go to Apps
In the Settings app, click on the “Apps” option in the left-hand menu. This will open the Apps & features section in the main window.
Step 3: Click on Default Apps
In the Apps & features section, click on the “Default apps” option in the left-hand menu. This will open the Default apps section in the main window.
Step 4: Scroll down and click on “Choose default apps by file type”
Scroll down in the Default apps section until you see the “Choose default apps by file type” option. Click on it to open the list of file types and their associated default apps.
Step 5: Find and click on .pdf
Scroll through the list of file types until you find .pdf. Click on it to see the current default app associated with it.
Step 6: Choose a new default pdf viewer
To change the default pdf viewer, click on the current default app and select the new app you want to use from the list of available options. If the app you want to use is not listed, click on “More apps” and select it from the list of installed apps.
Step 7: Close Settings
Once you have selected the new default pdf viewer, close the Settings app. Your changes will be saved automatically.
Bonus Tip: How to change the default pdf viewer for all users
If you want to change the default pdf viewer for all users on your Windows 11 device, you can do so by following these steps:
- Open File Explorer and navigate to the location of the pdf viewer you want to use as the default.
- Right-click on the application and select “Properties”.
- In the Properties window, go to the “Compatibility” tab.
- Check the box next to “Run this program as an administrator” and click on “Apply” and then “OK”.
- Repeat this process for any other pdf viewers you want to set as the default.
- Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
Conclusion
Changing the default pdf viewer in Windows 11 is a simple process that can be done in just a few steps. Whether you prefer to use Adobe Acrobat Reader, Foxit Reader, or any other pdf viewer, you can easily set it as the default on your Windows 11 device. We hope this article has helped you in changing the default pdf viewer on your Windows 11 device. Let us know in the comments if you have any questions or if you found this article helpful.
