If you do not want to open PDF files externally when using Google Chrome, you can follow this guide. This detailed guide explains how you can allow or block Google Chrome from opening PDF files externally. In other words, you can bypass Google Chrome and open PDF files using third-party programs if you use this guide.
How to allow or block Google Chrome from opening PDF files externally
To allow or block Google Chrome from opening PDF files externally, follow these steps:
- Search for gpedit.msc in the Taskbar search box.
- Click on the individual search result.
- Navigate to Google Chrome in User Configuration.
- Double-click on the Always Open PDF files externally setting.
- Select the Disabled option to turn off.
- Select the Enabled option to turn on.
- Click the OK button.
- Restart the Google Chrome browser.
To know more about these steps, continue reading.
As this method is all about using the GPEDIT, you need to open the Local Group Policy Editor first. You can search for gpedit.msc in the Taskbar search box and click on the individual search result.
After that, navigate to the following path:
User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Google > Google Chrome
If you want to disable this setting for all users, you need to navigate to this path:
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Google > Google Chrome
In the Google Chrome folder, you can find a setting called Always Open PDF files externally. If you do not want to use Google Chrome, double-click this setting and select the Enabled option. However, if you want to use Google Chrome to open the PDF files, you need to choose the Disabled option.
Finally, click the OK button to save the change and restart Google Chrome.
How to allow or block Google Chrome from opening PDF files externally using Registry
To allow or block Google Chrome from opening PDF files externally using Registry, follow these steps:
- Press Win+R to open the Run prompt.
- Type regedit > click the OK button.
- Click the Yes button.
- Navigate to Policies in HKCU.
- Right-click on Policies > New > Key and name it as Google.
- Right-click on Google > New > Key and name it Chrome.
- Right-click on Chrome > New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
- Set the name as AlwaysOpenPdfExternally.
- Set the Value data as 1 to allow and 0 to block.
- Click the OK button.
- Restart your computer.
Let’s check out these steps in detail.
To get started, press Win+R to open the Run prompt, type regedit, and hit the Enter button. If the UAC prompt appears, click the Yes button to open the Registry Editor on your computer.
Next, navigate to this path:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies
For all users:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies
Right-click on Policies > New > Key and name it as Google. Then, right-click on Google > New > Key and set the name as Chrome.
Following that, you need to create a REG_DWORD value. To do that, right-click on Chrome > New > DWORD (32-bit) Value and call it AlwaysOpenPdfExternally.
By default, it comes with a Value data of 0. If you want to open PDF files, you need to double-click on it and set the Value data as 1. However, if you do not want to open PDF files, you need to keep the default value data.
Once done, click the OK button, close all windows, and restart your computer.
That’s all! Hope this guide helped.
How do I get Chrome not to open PDF files?
To stop Google Chrome from opening PDF files, follow the guide above. You can open the Local Group Policy Editor and double-click on the Always Open PDF files externally setting. Then, choose the Enabled option and click the OK button to save the change.
How do I make PDF not open in the browser?
To make PDF not open in the Google Chrome browser, you can follow the above-mentioned guides. You can change this setting with the help of the Local Group Policy Editor and the Registry Editor. In the Registry Editor, you need to create a REG_DWORD value named AlwaysOpenPdfExternally and set the Value data as 1 or 0.
Read: How to change default PDF Viewer from Edge to any other.
