Step-by-Step Guide- How to Disable Chrome PDF Viewer and Switch to a Different PDF Reader

How to Disable Chrome PDF Viewer

Are you tired of Chrome automatically opening PDF files in its built-in PDF viewer? While the Chrome PDF viewer is convenient for some users, it can be frustrating for others who prefer to use a different PDF reader. If you’re one of those users, you’ll be happy to know that disabling the Chrome PDF viewer is a straightforward process. In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps to disable the Chrome PDF viewer and regain control over how you view PDF files in your browser.

First, let’s look at why you might want to disable the Chrome PDF viewer. There are several reasons why you might prefer to use a different PDF reader:

1. Compatibility: Some users find that the Chrome PDF viewer has compatibility issues with certain PDF files, leading to formatting errors or crashes.
2. Performance: The Chrome PDF viewer can be slower than other PDF readers, especially when dealing with large or complex PDF files.
3. Customization: Other PDF readers offer more customization options, such as the ability to change the default font or adjust the page layout.

Now that we’ve covered the reasons for disabling the Chrome PDF viewer, let’s get to the steps to do so:

1. Open Chrome and click on the three dots in the upper-right corner to open the menu.
2. Select “Settings” from the menu.
3. Scroll down and click on “Advanced” to expand the advanced settings section.
4. Under the “Privacy and security” section, click on “Content settings.”
5. In the “Content settings” menu, click on “PDF documents.”
6. In the “Open PDF files in PDF viewer” section, click on “Open PDF files externally.”
7. You can also uncheck the “Prefer HTML for PDFs” option if you want Chrome to use an external PDF reader for all PDF files, not just those that require it.

After completing these steps, Chrome will no longer open PDF files in its built-in PDF viewer. Instead, it will prompt you to choose an external PDF reader when you click on a PDF link. You can select a PDF reader from the list of installed applications or choose to open the PDF file with a specific application.

If you decide that you want to re-enable the Chrome PDF viewer in the future, simply follow the same steps and select “Open PDF files in PDF viewer” instead of “Open PDF files externally.”

By following these steps, you can disable the Chrome PDF viewer and customize your PDF viewing experience to better suit your needs.