You can change the default PDF viewer by updating the settings on your device (Windows or Mac) or upon opening your PDF. 

You can change your default PDF viewer through file settings in Windows or the

panel on Mac; this determines which app opens PDFs automatically on your device.

Many systems use a browser or built-in app, which may not always include the tools you need for editing, reviewing, or organizing documents. Knowing how to change the default viewer can help you use your PDFs more efficiently. Follow along as we break down the steps to update on Windows, Mac, and common web browsers.

A default PDF viewer is the app your operating system automatically uses to open this type of file; it can be a web browser, a built-in system app, or third-party software.

Many viewers only support basic reading, so switching to another program can give you access to more features, including editing, filling forms, applying signatures, etc.

You can update the default viewer through the 

Additionally, you can adjust browser settings in Google Chrome, Safari, and Mozilla Firefox to download PDFs instead of opening them automatically.

the app that your device automatically uses to open PDF files. 

Operating systems assign one to each file type based on your 

system settings, installed software, or preferences.

For example, when you install a new PDF reader, you may be asked if you want to set it as the default program for PDF files. If you accept, all your PDFs will open with that app unless you change the settings.

Many devices use built-in system tools like 

 on Windows to open PDFs. Web browsers such as Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox can also be default viewers since they include 

Why Should You Change Your Default PDF Viewer?

You might want to change your default PDF viewer to:

Many default viewers will only let you read the PDF. If you want to 

, etc., you will want to switch to an alternative tool.

Fill out forms and apply digital signatures

, invoices, and official applications. However, not all default viewers will support filling fields and adding signatures; updating to a different PDF viewer will let you perform these tasks easily.

Enjoy more comprehensive document management features. 

If you regularly work with many PDFs, tools for 

, splitting pages, organizing documents, or exporting content can make file management far easier.

How to Change the Default PDF Viewer on Windows

You can change the default PDF viewer on Windows in two ways:

#1. Change the Default App in the File Settings

The first method to change the PDF default app in the file’s settings goes like this:

 from the dropdown. A list of available programs will appear.

. You will see a window showing compatible apps installed on your device. Select the PDF viewer you want to use.

3. Set your default PDF viewer by selecting the 

You should use this method when you want 

a quick way to switch the default PDF viewer 

when accessing the file itself. It works well if you already have the PDF app and simply want to set it as the program that opens PDFs by default.

This method is also helpful if you want to 

. For example, if you recently installed a new PDF editor or reader, you can set it as the default while opening a file and immediately see how it works.

#2. Change the Default PDF Viewer in the Windows Settings

You can also update the default app for PDF files through your Windows system settings:

 3. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click 

and select the app that you want to use by clicking 

With this method, if a newly installed PDF editor does not appear in the right-click menu, you may still be able to set it as the default through system settings. It also allows you to 

review and adjust other file type assignments while you are there.

How to Change the Default PDF Viewer on Mac

To open PDFs with a different program than 

2. Right-click on it to access a dropdown and then select 

. You will see a panel showing details about the file.

4. Click the dropdown menu and choose the PDF viewer you want to use from the list of available apps.

 after selecting the app. This changes the default PDF viewer on your Mac.

How to Change the Default PDF Viewer in Your Browser

You can stop PDFs from opening in your browser (Google Chrome, Safari, and Firefox), too; here is how:

1. Open your browser and click the three dots in the top-right corner to open the dropdown.

Once you enable this, any PDF you click online will download to your computer. Then, you can open it using your preferred PDF viewer.

PDFs open directly in the browser window by default in Safari. To change this, when you click on the link, right-click it and choose 

The PDF will save to your computer rather than opening in Safari. So, you can open it with the PDF viewer that you want.

In Mozilla Firefox, you can take these steps to stop PDFs from being opened in the browser automatically:

1. Open the browser and click the three horizontal lines in the top right corner.

 5. Open the dropdown next to it and select 

What to Do If You Can’t Change the Default PDF Viewer

If you cannot change the default PDF viewer, try:

Checking whether the PDF app is properly installed. 

If the viewer you want to use does not appear in the list of available programs, it may not be installed correctly. Reinstalling or updating it to the latest version can help your operating system recognize it as an option for opening PDF files.

Confirming the default app setting was applied. 

Sometimes, the change does not fully save. You need to go back to your system’s default app settings and confirm that your program is still assigned to .pdf. If not, select it again and apply the change.

System settings occasionally require a restart before they fully take effect. You can restart your device to refresh file associations and allow the new default viewer to activate.

In some cases, the file association for PDFs becomes corrupted. You can fix this by resetting the default apps for file types through your system settings or by selecting a different viewer temporarily and then switching back to your preferred program.

On work or school computers, your administrators may restrict changes to default apps. If you cannot modify the setting, you may need to request 

 and permissions to change the default PDF viewer.

To choose the right PDF viewer, think about how you typically use PDF files. If you mostly read them, a lightweight viewer may be all you need. However, if your day-to-day handling involves editing, reviewing, or sharing documents, software with more advanced tools may be better.

Nowadays, many viewers include AI features that can 

, extract key details, or help search through long files. These can help you save time when reviewing PDF reports and research papers.

You should look for a viewer that lets you open files quickly, search the content, and move between pages without having to dig through complicated menus. Ease of use makes a big difference when you are handling high volumes of PDFs or are in a rush.

, large reports, or technical manuals, you should choose a viewer that loads files quickly and handles complex layouts smoothly.

Make sure that the viewer works well with your operating system and integrates with tools you already use, including cloud storage, email attachments, or document management systems.

If you handle sensitive documents that are 

 controls can help you protect important information.

An Alternative to Changing Your Default PDF Viewer

If changing your default PDF viewer feels unnecessary or isn't possible on your device, consider using 

. Our tool makes it easy for you to open and work with PDFs directly in your browser.

You do not need to install software or update system settings to start using it; simply upload your PDF and begin viewing or editing it right away. This can be especially helpful on work or shared computers where default app settings are restricted.

How to Change the Default PDF Viewer: 6 Easy Methods

Learn how to recover deleted PDFs on Windows and Mac using Recycle Bin, backups, or data recovery tools—even after permanent deletion.

You can try to recover deleted PDFs on Windows and Macs by checking 

 folders, restoring files from backups, or scanning your device with data recovery software.

PDF files can disappear for many reasons; you might accidentally delete one, overwrite it while saving changes, or lose it during a system crash. This guide explains when deleted PDFs can still be recovered, how to do it, and what to do if the recovered file is damaged or incomplete.

You may be able to restore deleted PDFs if the file data has not yet been overwritten on your device.

On Windows, you can try to restore files from 

Make it a habit to back up your files regularly, consider using cloud storage services, organize your files clearly to avoid accidental deletions, and protect your device to avoid attacks that may delete files.

if the data has not been permanently overwritten

 on your device yet. When a file is deleted from a computer, it is usually not erased immediately; instead, the operating system removes its reference and marks the storage space as available for new data. 

, the deleted PDF may still be recoverable.

 often retain deleted data until it is overwritten; meanwhile, on modern 

, permanently deleted files may be erased almost immediately, making recovery much more difficult. TRIM allows the system to clear unused storage blocks, which can 

permanently eliminate the remaining data from removed files.

You can recover lost PDF documents from Windows either by checking the 

tool. Let’s see how to use each of these methods.

keeps deleted files temporarily; if this is where your PDF went after you have accidentally deleted it, you can easily restore it. Here is how:

 on your desktop. If you cannot find it, you can search for it using the Windows search bar.

4. The PDF will return to its original folder.

: Alternatively, click on the file and drag it back out to your desktop.

 enabled, you may be able to recover a previous version of the document. Try to take these steps:

 and find the folder that originally stored your deleted PDF.

2. Right-click on the name of the folder and select 

tab and choose a version that contains the deleted file.

 and have the file saved in a new location to avoid overwriting it.

Microsoft provides a command-line recovery tool that can help you recover deleted files on Windows. It works best on 

 and requires saving recovered files to a different drive.

 from the Microsoft Store and then open it.

when you are asked to allow the app to make changes to your device.

winfr source-drive: destination-drive: [/mode] [/switches]

5. Choose from one of the two most common modes: 

Recover your folder from your C: drive to an E: drive. 

Winfr C: E: /regular /n \Users\<username>\Documents\

Recover PDF and Word files from your C: drive to an E: drive.

Recover any file with "invoice" in the filename. 

Recover jpeg and png photos from your Pictures folder to an E: drive. 

Winfr C: E: /extensive /n \Users\<username>\Pictures\*.JPEG /n\Users\<username>\Pictures\*.PNG

 6. Run the recovery command to scan your drive for deleted PDFs and recover them.

Here are the most effective methods to restore deleted files from Mac.

When you delete a file on a Mac, it usually moves to 

2. Look through the files to find your deleted PDF.

4. The PDF will return to where it was originally.

can help you recover a permanently deleted PDF if you had it running:

Open the folder where the PDF was originally stored.

Use the timeline on the right to go back to a date when the file existed.

, you may be able to restore it from the recently deleted section. These are the steps to take:

#4. Revert to a Previous Version in Preview

If the versioning is supported and the file was saved previously, macOS may keep earlier versions of your PDF. This works similarly to 

and allows you to recover earlier versions of a file. It is especially useful if the file was overwritten or edited incorrectly rather than deleted.

4. Use the timeline view to browse earlier versions of the document.

5. Select the version you want and click 

Recover Deleted PDFs Using Data Recovery Software

The steps to recover a deleted PDF using data recovery software vary from tool to tool, but in general, the process looks like this:

Popular options include Disk Drill, Recuva, and TestDisk. Simply select a program and install it on your computer; you should avoid installing it on the same drive where the file was deleted.

Launch the software and select the drive. 

Open the program and choose the drive or folder where the PDF was originally stored. Most tools allow you to scan an entire drive or a specific location.

Start the scan and allow the software to search for recoverable data. Depending on the drive size, this process may take several minutes.

Once the scan is complete, review the results and locate your PDF file. Select it and click the recover option, then save the file to a different folder or drive.

What to Do If the Recovered PDF Is Corrupted

If the recovered PDF is corrupted, you can try to repair or recover the content by:

Opening the file with a different PDF reader. 

 are better at handling damaged files than others. If the file will not open in one program, try opening it with another reader or browser-based viewer. Sometimes a different tool can still access the content.

Specialized PDF repair software or online repair tools can attempt to rebuild the file structure. These tools scan the corrupted file and try to restore readable text, images, and formatting. Results may vary depending on how severely the file is damaged.

 or an image file. Conversion tools may still extract usable content even if the PDF structure is damaged.

Sometimes the recovery process itself causes issues. Running a new scan with a different data recovery program may locate a cleaner version of the deleted file.

the file may be too severely damaged to fully restore

. In that case, recovering partial content and then editing or rebuilding the document can be your next best alternative.

How to Recover Deleted PDFs: 7 Methods That Actually Work

You can convert PDFs to CSVs efficiently with an online tool (like browser-based pdf.net), desktop software, or manual copying and pasting.

You can convert a PDF to a CSV by using an online tool, desktop software, or copying and pasting data into a spreadsheet.

This is often necessary when a PDF contains tables or datasets that need to be used in spreadsheet tools. Turning it into a CSV document makes the information easier to work with and import into other systems.

This guide explains the main ways to perform conversion and how to prepare your files so that the extracted data is cleaner to use.

You can convert a PDF to a CSV without installing software by using a browser-based tool; however, you need to choose a reliable one to avoid privacy concerns.

Another option is using desktop software, which can offer you more control.

For shorter documents with simpler datasets, you can consider copying and pasting the content to a CSV file.

pdf.net has an easy-to-use tool that can take care of the conversion for you in just a few clicks; the tool uses a HTTPS connection to protect your data.

To convert between the two formats smoothly, make sure that you compress, split, or make the PDF searchable beforehand.

How to Convert PDFs to CSVs: Practical Guide

Below are three ways to convert PDFs to CSVs, along with their pros and cons, so you can choose the method that works best for you.

one of the fastest ways to transform tabular data

 from a PDF into a spreadsheet. Most of the time, these web-based tools let you upload a file in 

, automatically detect the tables, and export the results as a CSV file.

They typically have the following pros and cons:

You should use this way to convert a PDF to CSV when you just

 need the data quickly and do not want to install new software; 

for example, if you are pulling a small table from a sales report, an online tool can handle the job in minutes. It works best when the tables in your file are clearly organized, and you don’t mind doing light cleanup afterward.

Another approach to convert PDF tables to CSV is by using desktop software installed on your computer. Unlike browser-based tools, these programs typically 

give you more control over how tables are detected and exported. 

You can often select specific pages, highlight tables, or adjust column boundaries before generating the CSV file.

This approach is especially useful when working with 

larger PDFs that contain multiple tables. 

Since the file stays on your computer, it can also be a better option when handling internal reports, invoices, 

, or other sensitive information that you

. It involves selecting a dataset directly from the PDF, pasting it into a spreadsheet, and then organizing the values into proper columns before 

This manual PDF data extraction method works well in situations such as:

Extracting a short table from a report into a spreadsheet

Copying a list of figures or statistics from a research document

Pulling a few rows of pricing or product data from a 

If you do not want to copy and paste from a PDF, a workaround is to 

 and extract data from the DOCX file. It can be easier to transfer text and tables from Word this way.

If you want the most straightforward way to turn your file into a spreadsheet, use our online PDF to CSV tool. You just need to follow these simple steps:

Convert tab highlighted at the top navigation bar

Upload your PDF by dragging and dropping it into the 

or by selecting it from your storage via the 

Upload PDF by dragging file or clicking Choose file button

in the top right corner to save your CSV to storage.


Download button in the top right corner to save CSV file

 as long as you have a reliable Internet connection. This means that it is 

Convert a PDF report to CSV on your laptop, wherever you are

 on your phone before sending to accounting

Turn a PDF sales report into CSV on a tablet during a meeting

You will also be glad to know that your files are protected during the conversion process. Unlike free PDF-to-CSV tools online, ours uses 

, which encrypt data while it is being uploaded, processed, and downloaded. This helps 

protect your files from unauthorized access 

Alternatives to CSV: When to Use Excel, JSON, or Database Import

CSV works well for simple data transfers, but it is not always the most practical format, depending on how the data will be used next. Here are a few alternatives to it:

Excel files support features that CSV does not, including formulas, formatting, charts, and multiple worksheets. They also preserve cell formatting and data types, which CSV files cannot store. If you plan to analyze the data, build reports, or organize several tables in one file, converting from 

 is commonly used in software development and web applications. Instead of storing information strictly in rows and columns, it organizes data using key-value pairs that can be nested to represent relationships. This makes JSON useful when datasets contain multiple products with attributes, categories, or metadata.

When the extracted data will ultimately be stored in a database, preparing it for import into a 

 is easier. The data is exported to JSON and then loaded into the database. This works well for large datasets, recurring updates, or analytics environments where the information will be queried and connected with other systems.

5 Tips for a Smooth PDF-to-CSV Conversion

Follow these five tips to convert PDF to CSV files more smoothly:

, look at the tables, column alignment, and page layout. Some PDFs contain simpler datasets that can be manually copied, while others are more complex and will require a conversion tool.

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