How to Make Adobe Acrobat Reader Default? (Windows and Mac)

Most of us open a PDF, and boom—it’s in Google Chrome, right? But what if you want to use a different PDF viewer? Maybe you prefer Adobe Acrobat Reader for better features.

Well, you have come to the right place! This guide will show you how to make Adobe Acrobat Reader the default on your Windows or Mac OS. It's no rocket science; just a few steps, and you can open PDFs exactly how you want.

However, if you're looking for a more reliable solution to open and read your PDF, download and try UPDF. It’s fast, easy to use, and has every PDF-related feature one could ask for.

Let's get started!

Part 1. How to Make Adobe Acrobat Default PDF Reader on Windows

In this section, we will explore how to make Adobe Acrobat Reader default on Windows OS. There are three ways to get the job done. We will explore all three with their steps. You can choose the one that is convenient for you.

Way 1. Via Open With

This is the quickest way to open your PDF files in Adobe Acrobat. You don’t need to go through any settings. Follow the below steps:

1. Right-click on the PDF file you want to open in Adobe Acrobat.
2. Select "Open with" and click "Choose another app."

3. Find and select Adobe Acrobat Reader from the list.
4. Check the box that says, "Always use this app to open .pdf files."

5. Click "OK" to save the changes. Now, whenever, you open the PDF, it will open in Adobe Acrobat.

Way 2. Via Properties

If you don’t find the first method helpful, you can do the same via properties. Plus, this method will open all your PDF files with the Adobe Acrobat Reader.

You can follow the steps given below:

1. Right-click on any PDF file and select "Properties."

2. Find "Opens with" in the General tab and click "Change."
3. Select "Adobe Acrobat Reader" from the options.
4. Click "OK" then "Apply" to save the changes.

Way 3. Via Settings

This is another way to change the default app for the PDF. It will also change the opening app for all PDFs at once. Here is how to get it done:

1. Open "Settings" on your computer.
2. Click on "Apps," then select "Default Apps" from the left menu.

3. Scroll down and click "Choose default apps by file type."

4. Find ".pdf" in the list and click the current default app next to it.
5. Select "Adobe Acrobat Reader" from the options.

That’s it! This is how to make Adobe Acrobat the default PDF reader on Windows. However, if you are a Mac user, you can explore the next section to do it.

Part 2. How to Make Adobe Acrobat Reader Default on Mac?

Mac users, we've got you covered, too! If your PDFs keep opening in Preview instead of Adobe Acrobat Reader, you can easily change that.

Here is how to make Adobe Acrobat Reader default on Mac:

• Right-click on any PDF file and select "Get Info."

2. Find the "Open with" section and click the dropdown menu.

3. Select Adobe Acrobat Reader from the given options.
4. Click "Change All" to apply this setting to all PDFs.

Now that you know how to make Adobe Acrobat default PDF reader, let’s talk about something important. Is it really the best choice?

The next section will explore why you might want to consider other options.

Part 3. Why Not Recommend to Use Adobe Acrobat Reader as Default PDF Viewer?

Adobe Acrobat Reader is a commonly used PDF reader, but it has its downsides. You explore them below and see if you want to use Adobe Reader as a default PDF viewer:

●     Slow Performance with Large Files:

Adobe Acrobat Reader is bad at handling large files, especially those with images and bulky content. It can get slow and laggy. You cannot scroll or search through the document quickly. This can be really frustrating if you work with large files often.

●     Lack of Features:

The Acrobat version doesn’t let you display PDFs as slideshows or translate them without messing up the formatting. These are basic features you might need, but they’re only available in the paid version.

●     Expensive to Upgrade:

If you want to edit, annotate, or convert PDFs, you will need to upgrade to the Pro version. The monthly cost of the Pro version is $19.99. For most people, that’s too expensive for the features it offers.

So, instead of Adobe Acrobat Reader, we have a better alternative: UPDF. It’s faster even with large PDFs, has extra features, and is very affordable. You’ll get more for less!

Part 4. Which Tool Is The Best Default PDF Viewer?

When it comes to choosing the best default PDF viewer, UPDF is an excellent choice.

Like Adobe Acrobat Reader, UPDF is free for reading PDFs. However, it doesn’t come with the same problems. It opens large PDF files quickly, without slowing down. You can also display PDFs as slideshows, which is something Adobe Acrobat can’t do.

One of its standout features is its ability to translate a whole PDF into any language while keeping the formatting intact. Isn't it amazing?

Moreover, if you ever need the pro features, UPDF is very affordable compared to Adobe Acrobat. It offers all the tools you need, like editing and converting, at a minimum cost.

So, let’s upgrade your PDF experience. Download UPDF now and see how much easier handling PDFs can be!

If you want to learn more, watch this video to see UPDF in action, or check out this detailed review article.

Final Words

Wrapping it up! Now you know how to make Adobe Acrobat Reader default on both Windows and Mac. But here’s the thing—while Adobe Acrobat Reader is okay, it can get slow with big files and lacks features.

If you’re tired of dealing with those issues, UPDF is a great alternative. It opens large PDFs in a snap, lets you turn PDFs into slideshows, translates them without messing up the format, and a lot more.

Plus, it won’t cost you an arm and a leg for the pro version. So, why not give it a try? Download UPDF today and see the difference for yourself!