This wikiHow teaches you how to enable or disable Google Chrome's built-in PDF reader on a computer, as well as change the main PDF viewer program on a Windows or MacOS computer.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Enabling the PDF Viewer Feature on Chrome
Step 1. Open Google Chrome on the computer
This browser is stored in the folder “ Applications ” on a MacOS computer, and the “ All Apps ” on the “Start” menu on a Windows computer.
Step 2. Click
It's in the upper-right corner of the Chrome window.
Step 3. Click Settings
Step 4. Scroll down and click on Advanced
This option is at the bottom of the page.
Step 5. Scroll down and click Content settings
This option is in the “Privacy and security” section, at the bottom of the list.
Step 6. Scroll down and click on PDF documents
This option is at the bottom of the list.
Step 7. Slide the switch to the off or “OFF” position
As long as the switch is off or grayed out, Chrome will automatically display the contents of the PDF file instead of downloading it to your computer.
Method 2 of 4: Disabling PDF Viewer Feature on Chrome
Step 1. Open Google Chrome on the computer
This browser is stored in the folder “ Applications ” on a MacOS computer, and the “ All Apps ” on the “Start” menu on a Windows computer.
Step 2. Click
It's in the upper-right corner of the Chrome window.
Step 3. Click Settings
Step 4. Scroll down and click on Advanced
This option is at the bottom of the page.
Step 5. Scroll down and click Content settings
This option is in the “Privacy and security” section, at the bottom of the list.
Step 6. Scroll down and click on PDF documents
This option is at the bottom of the list.
Step 7. Slide the switch to the on or “ON” position
As long as the switch is on or is blue, Chrome will prompt you to download the PDF file, instead of displaying it in the browser window directly.
Method 3 of 4: Changing the Main PDF Viewer Program on a Windows Computer
Step 1. Click menu
This menu is usually in the lower-left corner of the screen.
Step 2. Click
This option is on the left side of the menu.
Step 3. Click Apps
Step 4. Click Default apps
This option is in the left column.
Step 5. Scroll down and click Choose default apps by file type
A list of file types will appear on the left side of the window, with the associated application on the right.
Step 6. Scroll to the “.pdf” entry
The currently selected main review program is displayed on the right side of the entry.
Step 7. Click the main PDF reader program
For example, if the currently selected program is Google Chrome, click “ Google Chrome A list of applications that can read PDF files will be displayed.
Step 8. Click the application you want to use
From now on, the selected application will automatically be used to open PDF files on the computer.
Method 4 of 4: Changing the Main PDF Viewer Program on a MacOS Computer
Step 1. Press Control while clicking the PDF file on your computer
The menu will open after that.
Step 2. Click Get Info
The main PDF reader program currently selected will be displayed next to the text “Open With” on this screen/segment.
For example, if Preview is set as the main program for opening PDF files, you can see them in that segment/screen
Step 3. Click the drop-down menu next to “Open With”
A list of alternative programs will be displayed.
Step 4. Click the desired application
If you want to use Chrome, select “ Google Chrome To turn Chrome into another program, just select a different option.
Step 5. Click Change All
A confirmation message will be displayed.
Step 6. Click Continue
From now on, the selected application will be used to open PDF files on the computer automatically.
