How to Allow or Disallow Google Chrome from Opening PDF Files Externally in Windows 11 or 10?

All modern browsers, including Google Chrome, have built-in support for opening PDF files. However, if you don’t prefer to open a PDF file using Google Chrome or by default, you want to open PDF files using Chrome, but it is not happening; in such case, this gearupwindows article will guide you.

You can allow or block Google Chrome from opening PDF files externally in Windows 11 or 10 by tweaking the Registry. That means you can bypass Google Chrome and open PDF files using third-party programs or vice-versa.

How to Allow or Block Google Chrome from Opening PDF Files Externally?

To authorize or stop Google Chrome from opening PDF files externally using Registry Editor, do the following steps:-

Step 1. First, open Registry Editor.

Step 2. When Registry Editor appears on your computer, navigate to the following key in the left sidebar of Registry Editor:-

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies

Step 3. Next, right-click on the Policies folder and select New > Key.

Step 4. Name the newly created key as Google.

Step 5. Now, right-click on the Google folder in the left sidebar and select New > Key.

Step 6. Name this newly created key Chrome.

Step 7. Now, right-click on the Chrome folder and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.

Step 8. Rename the newly created REG_DWORD as AlwaysOpenPdfExternally.

Step 9. After that, double-click on the AlwaysOpenPdfExternally REG_DWORD and set its “Value data” as follows:-

  • 0: Block PDF opening in Chrome Browser.
  • 1: Allow PDF opening in Chrome Browser.

Step 10. Click OK.

Step 11. Reboot your computer to apply the changes.

Once you complete the above steps, you will be able to open PDF files in Google Chrome or a third-party application in Windows 11 or 10.

Conclusion

In conclusion, allowing or blocking Google Chrome from opening PDF files externally using the Registry Editor in Windows 11 or 10 is a simple and straightforward process. By following the steps mentioned in this gearupwindows article, you can easily configure the settings to open PDF files in Chrome or a third-party application. This can be useful if you want to bypass Chrome’s default PDF viewer or if you want to force Chrome to open all PDF files. With this knowledge, you can easily customize the way you open PDF files in Windows 11 or 10.

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