Setting Adobe as your default .pdf application

Summary

This article will help you make sure that Adobe is set as your default app for opening .pdf files. Adobe / Creative Cloud is CWU's supported .pdf file type. Instructions for Mac users are included after the PC instructions.

Steps

Step One: Click the Start button in the bottom left.

Step Two: Type the words "Default Apps" into the search bar and Select the first option "Default Apps".

Step Three: In the "Set defaults for applications" search bar type "File Type".

• Then click on "Choose defaults by file type".                 

Step Four: In the file type menu box, type .pdf into the "Search for a file type" search bar.

Step Five: Under the .pdf listing, make sure the Default app application listed is "Adobe Acrobat" or click on "Adobe Acrobat" listed in the pop-up menu

• Doing this will change the default file type to Adobe. Any .pdf file on your computer will now change to an Adobe file and open so you can read and interact with the file with the Adobe application. 

For Mac Users:

Step One: Using Finder, or on your desktop, locate a .pdf file and right-click to open the context menu. Click on "Get Info."

Step Two: Find the heading that says "Open with:" Click the box underneath to open the drop-down menu, then select Adobe Acrobat. 

Step Three: Click "Change all..." to set Acrobat as the default app to open .pdf files.

Additional Resources

Here is the Adobe web site's instructions for this process. It includes instructions for setting Adobe Acrobat as the default .pdf reader for Mac computers. It also provides information for repairing issues.

Submit a Service Request

• Submit a service request

• If you need assistance with the above process, you can submit an online request and our Information Services staff will reach out to you.