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Change the default PDF reader programmatically
I'm wondering if it is possible to programmatically change the default PDF reader in Windows 2000/XP/Vista.
For example, if the default reader was Foxit, could an application that sends Adobe-style "Open Parameters" ( see http://partners.adobe.com/public/developer/en/acrobat/PDFOpenParameters.pdf ) change the default reader to Adobe?
Whether or not Adobe is installed is another issue I'm not concerned with at this time.
If it is possible I don't need all the gory details, but I do need enough information so I can write sufficiently detailed instructions for a developer.
I'm hoping it's as simple as Registry edit.
TIA.
For example, if the default reader was Foxit, could an application that sends Adobe-style "Open Parameters" ( see http://partners.adobe.com/public/developer/en/acrobat/PDFOpenParameters.pdf ) change the default reader to Adobe?
Whether or not Adobe is installed is another issue I'm not concerned with at this time.
If it is possible I don't need all the gory details, but I do need enough information so I can write sufficiently detailed instructions for a developer.
I'm hoping it's as simple as Registry edit.
TIA.
ASKER
Hi scrathcyboy (with the 'c' and 'h' transposed???)
When I said I'm not concerned with it at this time, I didn't mean the fact of its existence (or not) would be completely ignored. It's a separate issue that will be addressed separately.
My thinking is that some action will be taken to determine if the Adobe reader is installed, and I don't see that task as posing a problem.
If the Adobe reader isn't installed then some intervening action will have to be taken (a warning or whatever). Obviously there would be no point in writing the Adobe registry values if the Adobe reader wasn't installed, because it still wouldn't work anyway, so nothing gained.
For the purpose of this question I'm just assuming that the Adobe reader is installed, but that it is not the default reader.
It's not absolutely essential to know what reader IS the default, although that would be nice as it would be user-friendly to programmatically change back again when finished with the Adobe reader.
Sometimes registry entries are cross-referenced all over the place, so I'm looking for knowledgeable and expert input rather than try to chase it down myself. I'm an IT consultant (retired to do other things) and can "dabble" in a wide range of stuff, but I don't have programmer-level expertise with the registry, APIs, etc. In other words this is a bit out of my league, but I'm quite capable of writing detailed requirements and instructions once I've got the necessary raw data.
Ideally I will be able to find out:
1. What is the current default reader?
2. How to make the Adobe reader the default?
3. How to return default status to the original reader?
Sorry if I wasn't clear in the first instance.
When I said I'm not concerned with it at this time, I didn't mean the fact of its existence (or not) would be completely ignored. It's a separate issue that will be addressed separately.
My thinking is that some action will be taken to determine if the Adobe reader is installed, and I don't see that task as posing a problem.
If the Adobe reader isn't installed then some intervening action will have to be taken (a warning or whatever). Obviously there would be no point in writing the Adobe registry values if the Adobe reader wasn't installed, because it still wouldn't work anyway, so nothing gained.
For the purpose of this question I'm just assuming that the Adobe reader is installed, but that it is not the default reader.
It's not absolutely essential to know what reader IS the default, although that would be nice as it would be user-friendly to programmatically change back again when finished with the Adobe reader.
Sometimes registry entries are cross-referenced all over the place, so I'm looking for knowledgeable and expert input rather than try to chase it down myself. I'm an IT consultant (retired to do other things) and can "dabble" in a wide range of stuff, but I don't have programmer-level expertise with the registry, APIs, etc. In other words this is a bit out of my league, but I'm quite capable of writing detailed requirements and instructions once I've got the necessary raw data.
Ideally I will be able to find out:
1. What is the current default reader?
2. How to make the Adobe reader the default?
3. How to return default status to the original reader?
Sorry if I wasn't clear in the first instance.
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Computer101
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Computer101
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You are asking an unsolvable rhetorical question. YES, you can setup any .REG file to change the registry settings, I can give you dozens of examples if you want.
However, as soon as anyone installs Adobe software on their machine, the Adobe install is going to overwrite those registry settings with the same kind of .REG file that you or anyone else can create.
So let me ask you, what is the point of setting REG settings when there is no app to handle them, if upon installation of the app that CAN handle them, it is going to change your registry settings anyway???
Did I miss something?