Disable PDF handler switching
Verified with Adobe Acrobat — updated on September 2, 2026
Supported on: Undefined
Path in the GPO console
Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Adobe Acrobat DC\Preferences\General Description
Disables the ability to change the specified default handler (PDF viewer). The UI configuration does not set any key in HKCU. Instead, changing the setting via the UI invokes the installer which sets the key in HKLM. The default application behavior varies depending on what is installed. A value of 1 disables the user's ability to change the default handler. Possible values include: 0 (or null): Allow the user to change the default viewer. 1: Don't allow the user to change the default viewer. GUI mapping - Edit > Preferences > General > Select Default PDF Handler
Registry
HKLM
SOFTWARE\Policies\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat\DC\FeatureLockdown Value name: bDisablePDFHandlerSwitching
Enabled: bDisablePDFHandlerSwitching = 1
Disabled: bDisablePDFHandlerSwitching = 0
Export Builder
BETAConfigure the state, scope and options, then generate .reg, PowerShell, Intune and SCCM outputs — or add the setting to a multi-setting collection.
These exports write the registry — this is not a managed GPO. ⓘ
.reg file
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
; Exported from gporais.com
; Policy: Disable PDF handler switching
; State: Enabled
; Supported on: Undefined
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat\DC\FeatureLockdown]
"bDisablePDFHandlerSwitching"=dword:00000001More formats (PowerShell, Intune, SCCM)
PowerShell
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Disable PDF handler switching
# State: Enabled
# Supported on: Undefined
$path = 'HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat\DC\FeatureLockdown'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'bDisablePDFHandlerSwitching' -Value 1 -Type DWordIntune XML
No direct Policy CSP / OMA-URI mapping for this policy. Use the Intune Remediation tab, or ingest the ADMX in Intune.Intune Remediation
# === Detection script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Disable PDF handler switching
# State: Enabled
# Supported on: Undefined
function Test-RegistryValue {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Path,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Name,
[object]$Expected,
[ValidateSet('String', 'DWord', 'MultiString')][string]$Kind = 'String',
[switch]$Absent
)
try {
$item = Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -ErrorAction Stop
} catch {
return $Absent.IsPresent
}
if ($Absent.IsPresent) { return $false }
$actual = $item.$Name
if ($Kind -eq 'DWord') { return ([int64]$actual) -eq ([int64]$Expected) }
if ($Kind -eq 'MultiString') {
$actualValues = @($actual)
$expectedValues = @($Expected)
if ($actualValues.Count -ne $expectedValues.Count) { return $false }
for ($i = 0; $i -lt $expectedValues.Count; $i++) {
if ([string]$actualValues[$i] -ne [string]$expectedValues[$i]) { return $false }
}
return $true
}
return [string]$actual -eq [string]$Expected
}
$checks = @(
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat\DC\FeatureLockdown' -Name 'bDisablePDFHandlerSwitching' -Expected 1 -Kind DWord)
)
if ($checks -notcontains $false) {
Write-Output 'Compliant'
exit 0
}
Write-Output 'Non-compliant'
exit 1
# === Remediation script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Disable PDF handler switching
# State: Enabled
# Supported on: Undefined
$path = 'HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat\DC\FeatureLockdown'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'bDisablePDFHandlerSwitching' -Value 1 -Type DWordSCCM scripts
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Disable PDF handler switching
# State: Enabled
# Supported on: Undefined
# SCCM Configuration Item guidance:
# Create a Configuration Item of type "Setting: Script".
# Discovery script: use the Detection script below.
# Remediation script: use the Remediation script below.
# Compliance rule: the Discovery script output equals 'Compliant'.
# === Detection script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Disable PDF handler switching
# State: Enabled
# Supported on: Undefined
function Test-RegistryValue {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Path,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Name,
[object]$Expected,
[ValidateSet('String', 'DWord', 'MultiString')][string]$Kind = 'String',
[switch]$Absent
)
try {
$item = Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -ErrorAction Stop
} catch {
return $Absent.IsPresent
}
if ($Absent.IsPresent) { return $false }
$actual = $item.$Name
if ($Kind -eq 'DWord') { return ([int64]$actual) -eq ([int64]$Expected) }
if ($Kind -eq 'MultiString') {
$actualValues = @($actual)
$expectedValues = @($Expected)
if ($actualValues.Count -ne $expectedValues.Count) { return $false }
for ($i = 0; $i -lt $expectedValues.Count; $i++) {
if ([string]$actualValues[$i] -ne [string]$expectedValues[$i]) { return $false }
}
return $true
}
return [string]$actual -eq [string]$Expected
}
$checks = @(
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat\DC\FeatureLockdown' -Name 'bDisablePDFHandlerSwitching' -Expected 1 -Kind DWord)
)
if ($checks -notcontains $false) {
Write-Output 'Compliant'
exit 0
}
Write-Output 'Non-compliant'
exit 1
# === Remediation script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Disable PDF handler switching
# State: Enabled
# Supported on: Undefined
$path = 'HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat\DC\FeatureLockdown'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'bDisablePDFHandlerSwitching' -Value 1 -Type DWordBuilding a multi-setting collection? Add this setting and generate combined .reg / PowerShell / GPO scripts.