UPDATED 9/7/2023: On Windows 11 , you can choose any supported app to work as the default PDF viewer, including Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, and in this guide, you will learn how.

Microsoft Edge is the default application that Windows 11 to open PDF documents. Although it’s a convenient feature that works as intended, Microsoft plans to replace the experience with the PDF reader plugin available from Adobe. According to the company, this move provides the basic features to open and view PDF documents with the option to pay a subscription to access advanced features.

Adobe Acrobat Reader has been around for a long time, but it’s not an application everyone wants. If you don’t plan to get a subscription to access the advanced features, you probably will barely use them, or you don’t want to use the Acrobat Reader plugin with Microsoft Edge . You can change the default experience to Chrome or Firefox, which offers virtually the same basic capabilities to view and fill out PDF documents.

This guide will teach you the steps to set Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox as your default PDF viewer instead of Microsoft Edge on Windows 11.

Change default PDF viewer to Chrome or Firefox on Windows 11

To change the default PDF viewer to Chrome or Firefox on Windows 11, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings on Windows 11.
  2. Click on Apps .
  3. Click the Default apps tab.
  4. Search for PDF in the “Set a default for a file type or link type” search box.
  5. Click the Switch anyway option (if applicable).
  6. Click the current default application for PDF documents.
  7. Select the app (Chrome or Firefox) to set it as the default PDF viewer on Windows 11.
  8. Click the Set default button.

Once you complete the steps, Windows 11 will open PDF documents by default with Chrome or Firefox, depending on your app preference.

You can also right-click the PDF file, select the “Open with” menu, select the “Choose another app” option, choose the new default PDF application, and click the “Always” button.

Alternatively, you can also choose from a range of other programs as your default PDF viewer on Windows 11. For example, the Sumatra PDF reader software is a great free alternative. When I have to protect a PDF document with a password, I usually use the PDFEncrypt app, and to convert Word documents to PDFs, you can always use Microsoft Word.

  • Microsoft to stop providing third-party print drivers through Windows Update.
  • The new change will make the built-in Microsoft IPP Class Driver the new default.
  • Manufacturers will be able to provide additional customization through apps in the Microsoft Store.
  • The process will take multiple years (through 2027).

Microsoft plans to stop offering third-party printer drivers in future versions of the operating system through Windows Update. According to the official documentation (via Neowin ), the company will stop using Windows Update to distribute printer drivers from manufacturers. Instead, the idea is only to offer the Microsoft IPP Class Driver and Mopria-compliant print devices , which the software giant introduced with Windows 10 21H2 .

The new approach will still allow users to easily connect and set up printers on Windows 11 , 12, and higher releases without manufacturers using custom installers and drivers while offering performance, reliability, and compatibility across the different versions of the operating system. And for additional configurations, manufacturers could provide dedicated apps in the Microsoft Store.

Since this is a significant change, the transition will be gradual and take multiple years. For example, in 2025 , manufacturers won’t be permitted to publish new drivers on the Windows Update service, but serving existing drivers will be allowed.

In 2026 , the company will change how drivers are installed in the operating system, making the Microsoft IPP Class Driver the default driver for printers. Then, in 2027 , Windows Update will no longer offer printer driver updates, but the exception will be for security updates, and existing third-party drivers will continue to be available.

Although the idea is to use only one set of drivers for printers, Microsoft will not block manufacturers from using other mediums to install printers . This means that you will continue to be able to download the drivers from the manufacturer’s website as needed.

The new change will apply to every supported version of Windows, including 11, 12, or any other future release. Furthermore, Microsoft will now require manufacturers to obtain the Mopria certification for Hardware Lab Kit to ensure that the printer is compatible with devices.