Many times, you may be working with a protected PDF file (one that requires a password), or one that needs to be signed. If you do, these PDF files may not work properly if they are opened in a browser tab on Edge or Chrome. The default setting for these browsers is to open them in a browser tab for viewing only. You can change this behavior on both Edge and Chrome to have the file open in Adobe Acrobat, where you can fully interact with the document.
Microsoft Edge
NOTE: There are TWO settings that may have to be set in Edge to prevent PDF files from opening in the Edge browser. Please make sure you change both settings.
Open Settings in the upper right, 3 dots
Type pdf in the search field and press Enter
Scroll down the list until you see PDF documents (it will be highlighted)
Toggle the setting Always download PDF files to ON (blue)
Close the settings tab
Now, when you click a PDF file to open, the file will be downloaded to your computer. Most likely to your Downloads folder. Click Open file in the box that appears in the upper right. Acrobat will open and display your file.
If, after making the change above, Edge still opens PDFs in your browser, perform the following steps.
Click the three horizontal dots and select Extensions
Select the three horizontal dots (. . .) next to Adobe Acrobat, then select Extension Options
Toggle Open PDFs in Acrobat to OFF
Chrome
Open Settings in the upper right, 3 dots
Type pdf in the Search bar
Select Site Settings
Scroll to the bottom and select Additional content settings
Select PDF documents
Click the circle next to Download PDFs
Now, when you click a PDF file to open, the file will be downloaded to your computer. Most likely to your Downloads folder. Click the up arrow next to the file that appears in the lower left of the browser and select Open in the box that appears. Acrobat will open and display your file.