These forums are now Read Only. If you have an Acrobat question, ask questions and get help from one of our experts.

Adobe Reader Default Program Open PDF Files - Registry Key WIN XP SP2

cjsimpso
Registered: Aug 17 2007
Posts: 2

What registry key can I set to make the default program to open PDF files be Adobe Reader 8 and not Acrobat on windows XP sp2? I know I how to do this from Folder Options and File Types from Window Explore menu but I need to push out the registry key.

My Product Information:
Reader 8.0999999999999996447286321199499070644378662109375, Windows
lkassuba
ExpertTeam
Registered: Jun 28 2007
Posts: 3636
Hi cjsimpso,

To change the default viewing (within a browser) application, change the path to the app in:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Software\Adobe\Acrobat\Exe

**Note: Setting the above key only changes the default. If you have an app running before attempting to view PDF within a browser, running app will be used.

Disclaimer: Adobe doesn't provide support for editing the registry, which contains critical system and application information. Make sure to back up the registry before editing it. For more information about the registry, see the Windows documentation or contact Microsoft.

Hope this helps,
Lori

Lori Kassuba is an AUC Expert and Community Manager for AcrobatUsers.com.

Al Barrs
Registered: May 22 2009
Posts: 1
I have the MS PowerPoint Program on one of my laptop computer using MS2000 to build presentations. I have Adobe Reader installed on that computer. I have MS PowerPoint Reader on another desktop computer using MS XP Home Edition so I can look at my presentations and pictures. On the XP edition computer I installed OpenOffice 2.4 Program. When I installed it it took over as the default viewer and changed all my PowerPoint presentations to OpenOffice Program. I can use OpenOffice Program to create presentations like PowerPoint on my desktop computer but the quality is poor. I want to make MS PowerPoint Reader my default presentation program. How can I make MS PowerPoint Reader my default presentation program on my XP Home computer? THANKS!!! Al albarrs [at] wfeca [dot] net
ecmoor01
Registered: Sep 21 2011
Posts: 1
Hello. I'm trying to set Adobe Reader as default when opening .pdf file. I work in a campus environment and need Reader to be default so that our Acrobat Professional licenses are not exceeded. I have set the registry as the following:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Software\Adobe\Acrobat\Exe
Name Type Data
(Default) REG_SZ "C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Reader 10.0\Reader\AcroRd32.exe"

Also, Reader was set in Default Programs, but that is profile based.

Any ideas on how to permanently set Reader as default program to open .pdf files on computer no matter what user logs in?

Thanks,
Liz

Liz Moore
Syracuse University

Sandeep V
Registered: Sep 28 2011
Posts: 1
ecmoor01 wrote:
Hello. I'm trying to set Adobe Reader as default when opening .pdf file. I work in a campus environment and need Reader to be default so that our Acrobat Professional licenses are not exceeded. I have set the registry as the following:HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Software\Adobe\Acrobat\Exe
Name Type Data
(Default) REG_SZ "C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Reader 10.0\Reader\AcroRd32.exe"

Also, Reader was set in Default Programs, but that is profile based.

Any ideas on how to permanently set Reader as default program to open .pdf files on computer no matter what user logs in?

Thanks,
Liz
You can try this. I have taken the snap shot of my Command prompt. Make sure you run that as an Administrator. :)

assoc .pdf = pdffile
ftype pdffile = "C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Acrobat 10.0\Acrobat\AcroRD32.exe" "%1"

This path may vary.
Snap shot- http://picturepush.com/public/6652169

Set the path that directs to Adobe Reader at your server.Let me know if that resolves.

~Sandeep V.
Adobe Acrobat Team