How to Open PDF Files in Firefox

The Mozilla Firefox Web browser does not come with native PDF viewing support, but Adobe has created a plug-in for this purpose. The Adobe Reader plug-in opens PDFs within the Firefox browser window once it is installed, providing viewing functions such as zooming in and out on the PDF, saving the file or printing it. This plug-in is available through Adobe and added to Firefox with a short installation procedure.

Instructions

1. Open Firefox and type "get.adobe.com/reader/" in your address bar.

2. Click the yellow "Download Now" button on the Adobe Reader download page. Click "Save File" when the file download dialog window open.

3. Double-click "install_reader10_en_air_chrd_aih.exe" (or similar, if the Reader application has updated since this publication) in your Downloads tab or window to start the Adobe Reader plug-in installation process. Press "Run" if you receive a prompt message from your operating system.

4. Read Adobe's distribution license agreement. Click "Accept" to agree with Adobe's terms and continue the installation procedure. Click "Finish" on the Adobe Reader installer.

5. Click the "Firefox" button in the upper left side of the browser. Click "Options."

6. Click the "Applications" tab in the Options window. Choose "Adobe Acrobat Document" from the "Content Type" panel. Select "Use Acrobat Reader (in Firefox)" to set your browser default to open PDF files with the Reader plug-in. Click "OK."

7. Navigate to a website featuring PDF files that you were unable to open within Firefox. Click the PDF link to open the document in your browser window through Adobe Reader.

References

• Mozilla: Opening PDF Files Within Firefox
• Mozilla: Using the Adobe Reader Plugin with Firefox

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Adobe: Adobe Reader