Windows 11 new install – Microsoft Edge will not permit change of default PDF ap

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I have bought a new laptop with Windows 11 installed. The operating system is fully up to date with all updates. It takes a little getting used to from windows 10, but not too dramatic.
I use Nitro PDF Pro as my default pdf reader and editor. I have installed the programme and it operates normally.
I try to set the default PDF application in Settings / Apps / Default Apps, and the system tells me “An app caused a problem with the default app setting for pdf files, so it was reset to Microsoft Edge”
I have tried changing the default app associated with .pdf, and after changing, it immediately reverts back to Microsoft Edge.
I have tried opening the properties of a blank.pdf, and changing the default app for .pdf files there, with the same result.
Searching online indicates this is an issue with early versions of Windows 11 (circa 2021) but that this has been rectified in latest updates.
Please provide me with some means of fixing this.

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Which version of Nitro PDF Pro?

Have you tried setting as default from within Nitro PDF Pro?

Set Nitro PDF reader as your default PDF reader — Alternative Solution

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Could this be related to UCPD (See the discussion in this thread and on GHacks). .PDF is one of the first two file formats that MS messed with, everywhere.

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WSbluntsword

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No:

Default apps

Windows will continue to prompt customers when they are opening content that a newly installed app registers for so they can easily change their default. Customers can continue to easily configure app defaults in Settings > Apps > Default apps.

Previewing changes in Windows to comply with the Digital Markets Act in the European Economic Area

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The Ghacks linked to above fixed it for me – many thanks, PKCano!

I’m never happy about hacking the innards of Windows myself, but I was just too fed up not to try it.

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That hints that you are using an older version of Nitro PDF pro?  What’s the version number?

Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

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This is going to sound stupid simple, but I’ve been having the same issue with setting the default browser and PDF application for new hires. Shutting down completely (not restarting) and then turning it back on has been all it takes to resolve it, as annoying as it is. Hopefully yours is just as easy.

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I don’t know whether this is the same issue, but for me it all seems to have started when Windows Configuration Update (KB5035942) self-installed today – many of my filetypes have been hijacked by Microsoft Edge and can’t be changed back. I can’t even click on a link in Windows Live Mail (yes, I know) and have it open a browser. It’s a complete pain.

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KB5035942 was a preview cumulative update last month.

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Another option that usually works is right-clicking on the PDF file (can be any file) and selecting Open with.

Select Choose another app and scroll through the list.

Note: You may need to use More apps and Look for another app on this PC if it’s not in the initial list.

Once you select the app, check the box Always use this app to open .pdf files.

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Hi WSPhotorer:

If you’re still looking for a solution you might want to post in the Nitro Pro | General Product Use forum. I searched there for “edge” and found quit a few topics mentioning this problem (e.g., like Colonel Travis’ 27-Jan-2023 Nitro PDF Pro 13 only opens in Microsoft Edge browser and Bret A. Bennett’s 15-Jan-2024 Windows 11 default pdf reader keeps reverting to Edge/Win11’s pdf reader.

I found one Nitro Pro user with a Win 10 OS who solved a similar problem by disabling the PDF reader in MS Edge (i.e., open MS Edge, enter edge://settings/content/pdfDocuments in the address bar, ENABLE “Always download PDF files” and DISABLE “PDF view settings” as shown below before you configure Nitro Pro as your default PDF reader), but I don’t know if this would work on a Win 11 machine. See Raahul Dev’s 27-May-2023 Microsoft Edge Keeps Setting Itself as Default PDF Reader in the MS Answers forum for more information.

There was also one rather bizarre workaround posted on 24-Apr-2024 by Manoj on page 2 of Microsoft Edge keeps making itself the default PDF viewer instead of acrobat in the MS Answers forum that seems to be working for multiple users [i.e., start a repair of MS Edge at Control | Panel | Programs | Programs and Features and set your PDF reader (in your case, Nitro Pro) as the default app for opening .pdf files while the MS Edge repair is still in progress]. I could see why allowing a repair of MS Edge to run to completion might solve the problem, but I have no idea why you would need to set your third-party PDF reader as the default app for opening .pdf files while the MS Edge repair is still running.
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Dell Inspiron 15 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.4291 * Firefox v125.0.3 * Microsoft Edge v124.0.2478.80 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.24030.9-1.1.24030.4 * Malwarebytes Premium v5.1.3.110-1.0.1219 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7783

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Cybertooth

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