Download a PDF using Microsoft Edge or Chrome. Your downloaded PDF opens in Acrobat or Reader. A pop-up appears asking how you want to open the file.
Last updated on
Feb 26, 2026
Learn how PDFs can automatically open in Adobe Acrobat or Reader for quick and easy access.
Automatically open downloaded PDFs on Windows
Acrobat can automatically open PDFs downloaded to your Downloads folder, giving you faster access. Currently, Acrobat supports automatic opening for PDFs downloaded using Chrome and Microsoft Edge browsers on Windows.
Before you begin: Ensure Microsoft Edge or Chrome is open and set as your default browser.
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Choose Acrobat or Reader as your default app to open PDFs instantly after downloading.
Choose Acrobat or Reader as your default app to open PDFs instantly after downloading. -
To set your preference, select the option to always open PDFs in Acrobat or Reader.
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Select Continue to save your preferences. Your future downloads automatically open in Acrobat or Reader.
Note
You can set the preference for PDFs downloaded from the web or opened from your device.
Turn off auto-open option for downloaded PDFs
To prevent downloaded PDFs from automatically opening in the Acrobat on desktop app:
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Launch the Acrobat on desktop app.
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Press CTRL + K to open the Preferences window.
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From the left pane, select the General tab.
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Deselect the Always open PDFs downloaded from the web option.
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Select OK.
Note
The Open all PDFs in Acrobat setting in the Adobe Acrobat Chrome extension and your system's default PDF viewer differ from the auto-open preference setting in the Acrobat on Desktop app.
Turning off the Chrome extension or changing your default PDF viewer to another app only affects how you open the PDFs on the desktop. It does not stop PDFs from automatically opening in the Acrobat app after you download them in Chrome.
