Setting Adobe Reader as the default viewer for PDFs
Learn how to select Adobe Reader as the default viewer for PDF files in Windows XP,
Windows 7 and on a Mac.
These instructions are useful if
 PDFs are opening in another program and you would prefer them to open in Adobe
Reader
Alternatively if you have Adobe Acrobat (software used to edit and customise existing PDFs
and create new ones) you might prefer to use it as the default viewer.
Adobe do not recommend having Adobe Reader and Adobe Acrobat (Pro and Standard)
installed on the same computer, however, some people have no problems using both on their
computer so it is personal preference.
If you wish to set Adobe Acrobat as the default viewer instead, follow the instructions below but
substitute Adobe Acrobat where Adobe Reader is mentioned.
Adobe Reader must be installed on your computer otherwise it will not be available for
selection.
On CSU owned Windows based computers you can install Adobe Reader from the Install
Software icon on your desktop.
To select Adobe Reader as the default viewer for Windows XP
1. Open My Computer.
2. Click Tools to open its menu then select Folder Options...
Page 1 of 6
3. In the Folder Options window, select the File Types tab then PDF from the Registered
file types list as shown (see below)
When you make a selection from the Registered
file types list, the program which is currently the
default for opening files of that type is shown in the
Opens With section under the Details for ‘PDF’
extension (see section to the left).
4. Click the Change button next to Opens with (see screenshot below left), then select
Adobe Reader from the Open With window (see screenshot below right).
5. Click OK, then click Close.
Page 2 of 6
To select Adobe Reader as the default viewer for Windows 7
1. Click Start and select Control Panel from the right hand side of the
menu (see right)
2. Select Default Programs from Control Panel.
3. Select Associate a file type or protocol with a program and wait for the list to load.
Page 3 of 6
4. Scroll down to where .pdf is located (in the Name column) and click on it to select it
(see below)
5. Click Change program...
the window
which is located on the top right corner of
6. Select Adobe Reader and click OK.
Page 4 of 6
To select Adobe Reader as the default viewer for a Mac
1. Using Finder, navigate to a PDF file.
2. Either press and hold the Control key and then left-click the PDF or right click on the
PDF.
3. Select Get Info from the resulting menu.
4. Click the arrow to the left of Open with: to expand that
section
Page 5 of 6
In the screenshot example for the previous step Adobe Reader was already set.
5. When another program is listed click on its name and then select Adobe Reader from
the resulting list
6. You will be asked if you wish to change all similar documents to open with the
application Adobe Reader. Click Continue to confirm.
Page 6 of 6