Either you do not have Adobe Acrobat installed on your computer since re-installing Windows, or there the wrong application (notepad) has been associated with files ending in PDF. Look in your start menu (or in Add/Remove Programs) to see whether or not you have Adobe Acrobat installed. If you do then you need to correct the association with Notepad and files that have the PDF extension. You can do that by pointing to a PDF file, right clicking, then clicking Open With... then browse for Acrobat and check to make it the default program. If you do not have Acrobat Reader installed on the computer then visit www.adobe.com/downloads and get a free copy (the "Reader" is free and allows you to open existing PDF files, the other paid versions allow you to create PDF files).
Then this is only a "file association" issue. If you have any problem following my direction above then wite back stating which operating system you are running for more precise direction.
Also If you do not have a High Enough version of Acrobat Reader aka ACROBAT X aka version 10 then it may not work.
Set your default programs
Use this option to choose which programs you want Windows to use, by default.
You can choose the programs that Windows uses by default.
If a program does not show up in the list, you can make the program a default by using Set Associations.
1. Open Default Programs by clicking the Start button, and then clicking Default Programs.
2. Click Associate a file type or protocol with a program.
3. Click the file type or protocol that you want the program to act as the default for.
4. Click Change program.
5. Click the program that you want to use as the default for the file type you selected, or click the arrow next to Other Programs to show additional programs. (If you don't see Other Programs, or your program is not listed, click Browse to find the program you want to use, and then click Open. If no other programs are installed that are able to open the file type or protocol, your choices will be limited.)
If you don't see the program you want to use as the default, click the arrow next to Other Programs to see a list of programs available on your computer
6. Click OK.
Notes · You cannot change an association for a file type or protocol and leave it blank or disassociated. You must select a new program.
· The options you set here only apply to your user account. Your choices won't affect other user accounts on this computer.
Ah ha! It is important to know what Operating System you have becuase without mentioning it you get well intentioned people offering misleading information that is not specific to your system. Keep this in mind should you post any other question in the future.
Now, here is a step by step guide on how to set PDF files to be associated with Acrobat Reader so that they are opened in Acrobat Reader by default... It shows two different methods that allow you to do the same thing.
Each file in your Windows OS, has an extension in its filename eg. .txt, .doc, etc. These extensions are used to identify the program, with which to open this file. You can set or change these file type associations in your Windows Vista. In XP you had it in Folder Options. In Windows 7 and Vista you don’t see it, though !
File associations
To set File Associations in Windows 7 or Vista, Open Control Panel > Control Panel Home > Default Programs > Set Associations. Select a file type in the list (in your case select PDF) and click Change Program.
A list of programs will be displayed along with a Description and the Current Default. You can click on the Change program to set or change the current defaults.
Alternatively, you can also Right click the file whose association you want to change > Properties > General tab > Type Of File > Change > Choose a program from the list or recommended or other programs or else click Browse to select one.
If you don't see Acrobat Reader in the list of items to select from you can click 'Browse' and then navigate to ProgramFiles \ Acrobat \ Reader 9 or Reader 10.0 \ Reader \ and then click on AcroRd32.exe.
maxd
2 Intern
•
2.4K Posts
1
May 3rd, 2012 09:00
Sounds like you don't have a pdf reader installed. The standard is Adobe: http://get.adobe.com/reader/?promoid=BUIGO
Many home users use Foxit: http://www.foxitsoftware.com/downloads/
speedstep
9 Legend
•
47K Posts
1
May 3rd, 2012 09:00
You have to install Adobe Acrobat Reader
download.cnet.com/.../3000-10743_4-10000062.html
e.r.a.
63 Posts
1
May 3rd, 2012 11:00
Either you do not have Adobe Acrobat installed on your computer since re-installing Windows, or there the wrong application (notepad) has been associated with files ending in PDF. Look in your start menu (or in Add/Remove Programs) to see whether or not you have Adobe Acrobat installed. If you do then you need to correct the association with Notepad and files that have the PDF extension. You can do that by pointing to a PDF file, right clicking, then clicking Open With... then browse for Acrobat and check to make it the default program. If you do not have Acrobat Reader installed on the computer then visit www.adobe.com/downloads and get a free copy (the "Reader" is free and allows you to open existing PDF files, the other paid versions allow you to create PDF files).
dawnmarjorie
6 Posts
1
May 3rd, 2012 11:00
I do have adobe reader installed.Thanks
dawnmarjorie
6 Posts
1
May 3rd, 2012 11:00
I do have adobe reader installed
dawnmarjorie
6 Posts
1
May 3rd, 2012 11:00
When I point to the pdf file and right click nothing happens. I do have adobe reader installed.
I am a bit of a dummy regarding computers.
e.r.a.
63 Posts
1
May 3rd, 2012 11:00
Then this is only a "file association" issue. If you have any problem following my direction above then wite back stating which operating system you are running for more precise direction.
e.r.a.
63 Posts
1
May 3rd, 2012 11:00
What version of Windows do you have? XP, Vista, 7, or something else?
speedstep
9 Legend
•
47K Posts
1
May 3rd, 2012 12:00
Change Adobe Acrobat Reader to Open the PDF
Also If you do not have a High Enough version of Acrobat Reader aka ACROBAT X aka version 10 then it may not work.
Set your default programs
Use this option to choose which programs you want Windows to use, by default.
You can choose the programs that Windows uses by default.
If a program does not show up in the list, you can make the program a default by using Set Associations.
1. Open Default Programs by clicking the Start button, and then clicking Default Programs.
2. Click Associate a file type or protocol with a program.
3. Click the file type or protocol that you want the program to act as the default for.
4. Click Change program.
5. Click the program that you want to use as the default for the file type you selected, or click the arrow next to Other Programs to show additional programs. (If you don't see Other Programs, or your program is not listed, click Browse to find the program you want to use, and then click Open. If no other programs are installed that are able to open the file type or protocol, your choices will be limited.)
If you don't see the program you want to use as the default, click the arrow next to Other Programs to see a list of programs available on your computer
6. Click OK.
Notes
· You cannot change an association for a file type or protocol and leave it blank or disassociated. You must select a new program.
· The options you set here only apply to your user account. Your choices won't affect other user accounts on this computer.
Refer the following link for more information:
Change which programs Windows uses by default
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Change-which-programs-Windows-uses-by-default
Method 2: You can also rename the file to .pdf
Here's how to do it:
Go to Tools>>Folder options>>View>>Uncheck "Hide extentions for known file types".
You will now be able to see the file extention, Change it to
dawnmarjorie
6 Posts
1
May 3rd, 2012 15:00
windows vista
e.r.a.
63 Posts
1
May 3rd, 2012 16:00
Each file in your Windows OS, has an extension in its filename eg. .txt, .doc, etc. These extensions are used to identify the program, with which to open this file. You can set or change these file type associations in your Windows Vista. In XP you had it in Folder Options. In Windows 7 and Vista you don’t see it, though !
File associations
To set File Associations in Windows 7 or Vista, Open Control Panel > Control Panel Home > Default Programs > Set Associations. Select a file type in the list (in your case select PDF) and click Change Program.
A list of programs will be displayed along with a Description and the Current Default. You can click on the Change program to set or change the current defaults.
Alternatively, you can also Right click the file whose association you want to change > Properties > General tab > Type Of File > Change > Choose a program from the list or recommended or other programs or else click Browse to select one.