How to Change Default PDF Viewer? + Best PDF Viewers of 2024

PDFs are common for textbooks, comics, cookbooks, manuals, and guides. They’re designed to work everywhere and can be viewed on any device, but compatibility issues sometimes occur.

This article will help you set up a PDF viewer on Windows and macOS, choose the best PDF reader, and show how to use Publuu’s flipbook viewer to manage online content.

How to change default PDF viewer

Changing your default PDF viewer is easy on both Windows and macOS. This process lets you choose the app you want to open in PDF format automatically.

Whether you need a simple viewer or one with advanced tools, setting your default PDF viewer makes sure you always use the app that best fits your needs. Keep on reading to learn how to do it.

How to change default PDF viewer on Windows

If you’ve recently installed Windows 10 or 11, your default PDF viewer is Microsoft Edge, the company’s web browser. While Edge isn’t a bad default PDF viewer, it doesn’t have the advanced features of dedicated PDF software.

To change your default PDF viewer in Windows, follow these steps:

1. Right-click on a PDF file and select “Open with” from the context menu. In Windows 11, you might have to choose “Select more options” before.

2. Select “Choose another app” from the list.

3. Choose your preferred PDF viewer from the list of installed apps and programs.

4. Check the “Always use this app to open .pdf files” option if you want to make this the default for all PDF files.

5. Click “OK” to confirm your choice. This app will become the default PDF viewer on your Windows PC.

Alternative method:

1. Right-click on the Windows Start button and select “Settings”.

2. Choose “Apps” and then “Default Apps” from the list on the left.

3. Scroll down and choose the new default PDF viewer.

These steps will set your preferred app as the default PDF viewer on your Windows system.

How to change default PDF viewer on macOS

On Macs, the default PDF viewer is Preview, a simple application that comes pre-installed. While Preview is a great viewer for basic PDF operations, many users prefer more advanced PDF readers because they offer more features.

Here’s how to change default PDF viewer on macOS:

1. Open the PDF file you want to view using your preferred third-party PDF reader.

2. When the PDF is open in your chosen viewer, right-click anywhere on the PDF and select “Get Info” from the menu.

3. In the “Get Info” window, expand the “Open with” section.

4. Choose your preferred PDF viewer from the list.

5. Click “Change All…” to make this the default for all PDF files.

6. Click “Continue” to confirm your choice.

From now on, all PDF files on your Mac should open with your selected PDF viewer by default.

Alternatively, you can change the default PDF viewer through the macOS system preferences:

1. Open the “System Preferences” app.

2. Click on “Desktop & Screen Saver”, then select the “File Associations” tab.

3. Scroll down to the “Portable Document Format (PDF)” section.

4. Click the dropdown menu and select your desired PDF viewer.

5. Close the “System Preferences” window.

With these simple steps, you can easily switch to the PDF reader that better suits your needs.

Reasons to change default PDF viewer

Changing your default PDF viewer can provide better features, performance, and security. Some PDF viewers offer advanced functionalities such as form filling, annotations, and multimedia integration, which might not be available in your current viewer.

Why does the default PDF viewer keep changing

Your default PDF viewer might change because of software updates, new installations, or system settings that reset preferences. To keep it consistent, make sure you set your preferred viewer correctly in the system settings.

Try an alternative PDF viewer

Publuu flipbooks are great for viewing PDFs online, especially for marketing and sharing content with a wider audience. Here’s why Publuu can be considered the best option:

Browser integration
Publuu is a PDF converter that turns PDFs into HTML5 flipbooks that can be viewed in a web browser. Users don’t need to install extra software or PDF viewers on their devices, which is convenient.

Marketing capabilities
Publuu PDF viewer makes your documents easy to share. You can send them with one click, embed PDF in HTML, share on social media, or link to specific PDF pages.

Engaging reading experience
Publuu flipbooks look like real books or magazines, making them more engaging than traditional PDF viewer apps. What’s more, you can customize backgrounds, sounds, or icons to match your brand.

Multimedia integration
You can enhance your PDF files by adding multimedia elements such as videos, audio, and interactive links. For example, you can create a product catalog, showing your product is in action, and link to the product page in your online store!

Lead capture and analytics
Publuu provides a lead capture feature so you can turn your ebooks into invaluable contact tools. Our analytics system tracks document views, engagement, and user behavior, which is important if you publish PDFs online.

Responsive design
Publuu flipbooks are optimized for viewing on a variety of devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones. It’s easy to navigate and send a link to a specific page to a friend. Your current app probably can’t do that!

Best PDF viewers of 2024

On Linux and Windows, the default PDF viewer is usually the web browsers: Edge in Windows and Firefox in many Linux systems.

However, switching between tabs or using browser shortcuts for PDFs can be inconvenient. That’s why many PDF viewer apps are available, and here are our favorites:

1. Publuu

Publuu online viewer is perfect for content publishers. It offers an alternative PDF viewer that works directly in your browser. Users can read your ebooks on any device without downloading, while still enjoying the features of a PDF viewer.

Publuu creates beautiful flipbooks and allows for the easy addition of interactive hotspots and can be integrated with other online apps. The 14-day free trial period is available.

 

2. Adobe Acrobat Reader DC

While there are many alternatives available, this software remains popular for its advanced PDF editing features and is often set as a default application for PDF viewing. The free version is widely used, and a paid subscription is available as part of the Adobe software package.

It offers text search, file merging, password protection, and annotations. It also has a useful “read-aloud” feature which many PDF viewers lack. This software is available on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. The paid version offers many features and integrates with the Adobe suite. However, the basic version can be slow.

 

3. Sumatra PDF

We recommend this PDF viewer, although it’s only available on Windows. It’s lightweight, doesn’t need installation, and supports various formats like PDF, CHM, DjVu, EPUB, FictionBook, MOBI, PRC, OpenXPS, and comic book archives.

Many users set it as their default PDF viewer despite its lack of basic editing features. This software is free, lightweight, and fast. However, it doesn’t have advanced features such as form filling, has limited editing and printing options, and is available only on Windows, even though it is open-source.

 

4. Foxit PDF Reader

This viewer is somewhere between Sumatra PDF and Adobe Acrobat Reader. It is easy to use and offers many advanced features like annotation, form filling, and PDF signing, making it a great Adobe Acrobat replacement. Many features that are paid in AA are included in Foxit’s basic package.

This software lets you share and comment on documents, use passwords and encryption for security, and has a simple free version. However, some advanced features need a paid version, the interface can be overwhelming for new users, and it uses a lot of computer resources.

 

5. Wondershare PDFelement

This simple software has many features and supports many file formats. It allows simple editing, and the free version is available for MS Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. Wondershare Cloud lets you archive and save files online. The paid version includes more features, including digital signatures.

This software has a well-organized interface with a clear layout, supports almost 300 file formats, and lets you scan and edit images in the free version. However, it runs slowly on older computers and is better for editing than just viewing.

 

Key takeaways

• Changing your default PDF viewer is easy on both Windows and macOS.
• Various PDF viewers offer different features and performance levels.
• Publuu flipbooks provide an interactive PDF viewing experience with easy sharing and customization.
• Default PDF viewers may change due to updates or settings, but you can reset preferences easily.
  
  

Conclusion

The market offers dozens of PDF viewers, and choosing the right one for your needs is difficult. We’ve prepared the perfect solution for seamless online PDF viewing: our flipbooks enable you to create attention-grabbing publications, seamlessly integrate multimedia videos, and adapt flawlessly to any screen size.

However, if you prefer a desktop application, options such as Sumatra PDF or Wondershare PDFelement also provide many features and functionalities. With Publuu, effortless file viewing is accessible to everyone!

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