Prevent Internet Explorer from Opening PDF Files

If you click on a link to a PDF file in Internet Explorer, it will sometimes be set up to open within the browser window. This can slow things down, and sometimes it doesn’t work properly. If you want to prevent Internet Explorer from opening PDF files and wish to open them in Adobe Reader or other PDF reader, you can change a setting in Internet Explorer or make a change in the registry.

Option 1 – From IE Settings

1. In IE, select “Tools” > “Manage add-ons“.
2. Select “Adobe PDF Reader“
3. Select the “Disable” button.

Option 2 – From the Windows Registry

Note: These steps take you into the Windows registry. Be careful when doing these steps. A wrong move could damage Windows permanently.

1. Log into Windows with an Administrator account.
2. Press and hold the Windows key, then press “R“.
3. Type “regedit“, then press “Enter“.
4. Select the plus sign next to “HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT“, then “AcroPDF.PDF.1“
5. On the right side, double-click the “EditFlags” value.
6. Set it to “00 00 00 00“
7. Select the plus sign next to “HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT“ then “AcroExch.Document.7“
8. On the right side, double-click the “EditFlags” value.
9. Set it to “00 00 00 00“
10. Close the registry editor, then restart the computer.

Now when you click on a PDF file within Internet Explorer, you will be prompted to save or open the file instead of IE automatically opening it. You can then use your chosen reader to open the file separately.