Firefox Friday: Opening PDF Files

When the Adobe Reader software is installed on a computer, that software will typically configure Firefox to allow Firefox to open PDF files found on web pages inside the Firefox browser window, using Adobe Reader as a browser plug-in.

Some people really like this feature. And it is typically the default behavior.

However, if you are like me, you find this feature really annoying. :) I personally do not like to view PDF files in a Firefox window, as I prefer to view PDF files externally in Adobe Reader.

If you feel the same way, here's how to change Firefox's settings so that, when you click on a link to a PDF file, Firefox will load that file externally in Adobe Reader rather than in a Firefox window.

1. In Firefox, go to the Tools menu (Linux users go to the Edit menu) and click on Options.


2. Click on Preferences.


3. Click on the Content icon.


4. Next to File Types click Manage. The Download Actions window should appear.


5. Click on the PDF extension on the list. Then click Change Action to view the handling options.


6. Click "Open them with the default application".


7. Now click OK to close the Change Action window, Close to close Download Actions, and then OK to close Options.

Now when you click on a link to a PDF file, that file should load externally in Adobe Reader.

Adapted from "Opening PDF files within Firefox" at http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Opening+PDF+files+within+Firefox .