Newest Outlook version doesn't open pdf in Acrobat

[DeeReinhardt]

My Outlook was updated to the newest version a few days ago and I'm having issues with opening PDF attachments in my default PDF viewer.  Before, you could click the attachment in the email and get a preview but if you were to fully open the attachment it would open in my default application.

When I click on it I get this viewer instead of it going directly to Adobe PDF. If I have to download it, I would prefer to save it as a location that I choose.

I can go to Acrobat and open the downloaded files, but that is extra steps. Any suggestions?

[#2]

New Outlook does not have Trust Center, and does not seem to have settings for selecting the default app to open different attachment types.

[#3]

I agree - there is no trust center and the proposed resolution does not resolve this issue which I also have 

@iLLbeFrank 

[#4]

@RohanWiese84 This is an issue with the NEW OUTLOOK. There is no File or Trust center. 

There is a settings area with very limited options. 

Opening PDF always opens in an Outlook window no matter what system settings or default apps are chosen. 

The only option is to download the attachment and then navigate to the downloads folder in File Explorer. If you download, then open from the Download menu it opens in Edge. 

[#5]

@Scott_J945 That's just bad business model. One day works one way, you come to work next day and your workflow is completely f..... 

[#6]

@DeeReinhardt   I am having the same issue.  Its a bad change to how outlook works.  I will go back to the old Outlook.  The way the new outlook handles attachments adds extra steps into a process that was working just fine before.

[#7]

This information does not address the initial post in this thread. The issue is the "NEW" Outlook and how it opens attachments, not the preview portion.

[#8]

@Colette1122 Best i can think of in terms of keeping workflow as simple as is to go for print option, then from print preview you can actually save attachement in the old way. via Edge, with pdf opening after saving. Still adds couple more clicks to each pdf, but it's better than having to go in the folder. 

[#9]

@MilesB1670  Yes I was doing that, but have decided to go back to the older version until Microsoft catches up with user feedback. 

[#10]

@Colette1122 I know right. I have both running, whenever i feel like more reliable search bar is needed then i go for new outlook, but if i'm attaching a lot files at the time then i use old one lol  

[#11]

I've been back and forth with "New" Outlook. Why can't MS bring back Outlook functionality?

[#12]

Thank you! After working through your other suggestions, repairing Office Installation did the trick for me to solve this annoying glitch.

[#13]

@LBW13did repairing allow you to open a PDF directly from an email with the default app? Or did it fix a broken preview...

[#14]

@DeeReinhardt when noting this problem via Feedback to Microsoft (New Outlook/Help/Feedback), they acknowledged that it is a feature that PDFs do not open in third-party app. hope for a fix in a future version. 

[#15]

@drkp89_rti  Why are so many of the functions that existed in the old outlook not present in this supposedly new and better version. I understand that the new outlook will be the only option moving forward in the near future. without all these items addressed, how does that make sense.  Please fix this as I use PDF files often and will need to have the ability to open them directly into adobe and not some pre prescribed pdf viewer from Microsoft.  Please let me know if you get this resolved.

Thanks, Stephan

[#16]

@DeeReinhardt - Same issue here. Opening PDF dirctly from the default viewer on Old Outlook works on same PC, New Outlook does not. Tried the repair option and setting default PDF, but that didn't fix it. Considering a Reset next then full uninstall and reinstall. Probably another dumb oversight like removing the link preview when hovering over a link in an email. Why they are removing some of these features is beyond me.  

[#17]

@IFixThings4U 

I resorted to going back to the original Outlook and will wait for Microsoft to resolve the issues it is having with "New Outlook".  Microsoft makes it difficult to embrace the changes they make. 

Oh well. 

[#18]

@IFixThings4U - My tin-foil hat idea is they want us to have to download the files now to inflate our data storage requirements so they can sell more storage. If this comment is removed, it proves my theory. If its left up, it's because they don't want to admit I've figured it out which also proves my theory. 

[#19]

As of June 2024 Microsoft has a roadmap claim that states "In the new Outlook for Windows, users can now open attachments of all types in their respective desktop app by double clicking them." with rollout "starting August 2024". See https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/roadmap?featureid=401123
Keep providing feedback through the app's Help > Feedback (or Suggest a Feature), or (if you have it) your Microsoft CSM to get this critical feature delivered.

[#20]

@DeeReinhardt - they make it a little harder to figure out, but if you save a PDF to your Mac, then right click on it and select Get Info, then expand the Open With and change your default to Adobe Acrobat and then click on Change All, this will fix your issue as it just fixed mine. Have a great day!