Disabling Google Chrome PDF viewer

Posted on in Categories Howto last updated August 29, 2016

Google Chrome has “Chrome PDF Viewer” to view or open pdf files. It is an unwanted feature. I do not need it at all. I want my PDF open in Preview on a MacOS X or default pdf viewer in Linux. This feature was hidden. I want to disable it from my Google Chrome browser because it was slow scrolling with a large pdf file sizes.

How To Disable Google Chrome PDF Viewer

  1. First, open a new tab in Chrome browser (press CTRL+T or Command+T)
  2. Type the following url in your address bar and press enter key:
    chrome://plugins
  3. Find “Chrome PDF Viewer” and disable it.
  4. Now all downloaded PDF files will open with your operating system pdf viewer such as Adobe reader, Preview on a MacOS X or evince/gpdf/kpdf on a Linux/BSD based system.
Fig.01: How To Disable Google Chrome PDF Viewer
Fig.01: How To Disable Google Chrome PDF Viewer

See also ~ HowTo: Firefox Disable Default PDF Viewer / Plugin

Posted by: Vivek Gite

The author is the creator of nixCraft and a seasoned sysadmin and a trainer for the Linux operating system/Unix shell scripting. He has worked with global clients and in various industries, including IT, education, defense and space research, and the nonprofit sector. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook, Google+.

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4 comment

  1. What if I don’t have the option to disable? It’s my computer – so I’ve got all administrator rights… It just won’t let me click on anything:
    Chrome PDF Viewer (2 files)
    Name: Chrome PDF Viewer
    Version:
    Location: chrome-extension://mhjfbmdgcfjbbpaeojofohoefgiehjai/
    Type: BROWSER PLUGIN

    MIME types:
    MIME type Description File extensions
    application/pdf
    .pdf
    Name: Chrome PDF Viewer
    Description: Portable Document Format
    Version:
    Location: internal-pdf-viewer
    Type: PPAPI (out-of-process)

    MIME types:
    MIME type Description File extensions
    application/x-google-chrome-pdf Portable Document Format
    .pdf
    Always allowed to run

    1. I got the same problem, Right click on the pdf document and open with, then click on the checkbox enable the option always open with Adobe Reader. Might be helpful.

  2. I am disabling my Chrome PDF viewer because it seems spam popups have learnt to target it. I will regularly get a “Chrome PDF” popup happening then full screen pop-unders will appear.

  3. Thanks vivek, this is appreciated ! I wish this chrome feature could be simply searchable from the regular advanced parameter !

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