By Achilles Hill | Last Updated
Microsoft Edge is the built-in browser that comes with the Windows operating system. This app is also set as the default application for opening PDF files in Windows. It is common to receive PDF files via email. However, when users try to open PDF files, they notice that the Edge browser will simply crash or freeze. Once this happens, users will not be able to change tabs or take any action. In this post, I will share you the most effective ways to fix PDF files cannot be opened in Microsoft Edge in Windows 10 & 11.
Step 1: Open your Microsoft Edge. Type edge://settings/clearBrowserData in the address bar and press Enter.
Step 2: This will pop up the Clear browsing data window. Select the Time range for all times from the drop-down options. Then click the Clear now button.
Step 1: Use Windows+R to open the Run dialog box and type ms-settings:defaultapps to open the default app.
Step 2: In the left panel, click Default apps, and in the right panel, click Choose default apps by file type.
Step 3: Scroll down to find the .pdf file. Then change to another browser or reader.
Step 1: Use the shortcut keys Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager and move to the Details tab. Scroll down and find the Microsoft Edge process msedge.exe in the list of processes running on your PC. Right-click on msedge.exe and click on the End process tree option.
Step 2: In the pop-up dialog box, click the button on the End Process tree to confirm the end of the Microsoft Edge process.
Step 1: Use the Windows + I keys to open the settings, find and click on the Apps.
Step 2: In the left window, click on Apps & features, search for edge in the window on the right and click on the Modify option in the search results. When the User Account Control prompt pops up, click Yes.
Step 3: In Repair Microsoft Edge Window, click the Repair button to download and start reinstalling the browser.
Step 1: Open your Microsoft Edge browser, type edge://settings/reset in the address bar and press Enter.
Step 2: Click on Restore settings to their default values under Reset settings.
Step 3: Click Reset in the pop-up window. This operation will restore the Edge browser to its default settings. Once the browser reset is complete, reboot the Edge browser. Check if you are able to open PDF files.
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