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AlwaysOpenPdfExternally

  • Article

Always open PDF files externally

Supported versions

  • On Windows and macOS since 77 or later

Description

Disables the internal PDF viewer in Microsoft Edge.

If you enable this policy Microsoft Edge treats PDF files as downloads and lets users open them with the default application.

If Microsoft Edge is the default PDF reader, PDF files aren't downloaded and will continue to open in Microsoft Edge.

If you don't configure this policy or disable it, Microsoft Edge will open PDF files (unless the user disables it).

Supported features

  • Can be mandatory: Yes
  • Can be recommended: No
  • Dynamic Policy Refresh: Yes
  • Per Profile: Yes
  • Applies to a profile that is signed in with a Microsoft account: No

Data type

  • Boolean

Windows information and settings

Group Policy (ADMX) info

  • GP unique name: AlwaysOpenPdfExternally
  • GP name: Always open PDF files externally
  • GP path (Mandatory): Administrative Templates/Microsoft Edge
  • GP path (Recommended): N/A
  • GP ADMX file name: MSEdge.admx

Example value

Enabled

Registry settings

  • Path (Mandatory): SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge
  • Path (Recommended): N/A
  • Value name: AlwaysOpenPdfExternally
  • Value type: REG_DWORD

Example registry value

0x00000001

Mac information and settings

  • Preference Key name: AlwaysOpenPdfExternally
  • Example value:
<true/>

See also