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Download PDF instead of Opening in the Chrome browser

Do you want to download a PDF file rather than opening it directly in the Chrome app? Learn how to tweak your PDF viewer settings.

By default, Google Chrome is set to view the PDF file in the browser. However, we can configure it to download the PDF and save it locally instead of opening the browser.

For that to happen, we must enable the option “Download PDF files instead of automatically opening them in Chrome” from the Site settings page.

In this guide, we have shared the steps to disable the PDF previewing in Google Chrome and directly download the file

Enable the Downloading of PDFs in the Chrome app

While Chrome has a built-in PDF viewer, it doesn’t offer many features compared with standalone PDF apps such as Adobe Acrobat. The ability to view PDF files is just an add-on feature.

PDF Reader in Chrome Browser

However, you could easily change this browser’s functionality and download the PDF file directly. Here are the steps to follow:

  1. Launch the Chrome browser on your computer.
  2. Click on the Menu vertical 3-dots icon and select Settings from the list.
  3. Switch to the Privacy and Security tab in the left sidebar and choose the Site Settings menu option.
    Site Settings menu in Chrome Browser
  4. Scroll to the bottom and open the Additional Content Settings section.
  5. Select the PDF Documents menu.
    Additional content settings PDF documents tab
  6. Enable the toggle button for Download PDF files instead of automatically opening them in Chrome option.
    Download PDF files instead of automatically opening them in Chrome toggle

Henceforth, Chrome will directly download the PDF file without opening the window. Of course, you can disable the toggle to reverse the changes.

Bottom Line

We can download the PDF file when it is opened in the Chrome app and save it on the computer. However, it’s an extra step that we have to follow.

Instead, we can instruct you to download the file instead of opening it in the browser. The downloaded file can be opened in any other PDF reader app installed on our computer.

Lastly, if you've any thoughts or feedback, then feel free to drop in below comment box. You can also report the outdated information.

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Kushal Azza

Kushal Azza

Kushal Azza is a Google Certified IT Professional, Digital Content Creator, and Go-To Digital Marketer with Engineering Degree. He has over a decade of experience solving tech problems, troubleshooting, and innovating digital solutions. Follow him on Twitter and LinkedIn.

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