Allow notifications to set Microsoft Edge as default PDF reader
Verified with Microsoft Edge 152.0.4191.53 — updated on July 10, 2026
Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 93, Windows 7 or later
Path in the GPO console
Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Microsoft Edge\Content settings User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Microsoft Edge\Content settings Description
This policy setting lets you decide whether employees should receive recommendations to set Microsoft Edge as PDF handler. If you enable or don't configure this setting, employees receive recommendations from Microsoft Edge to set itself as the default PDF handler. If you disable this setting, employees can't receive any notifications from Microsoft Edge to set itself as the default PDF handler.
Registry
HKLM
Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge HKCU
Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge Value name: ShowPDFDefaultRecommendationsEnabled
Enabled: ShowPDFDefaultRecommendationsEnabled = 1
Disabled: ShowPDFDefaultRecommendationsEnabled = 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. ⓘ
Applying both scopes creates an ambiguous configuration (computer takes precedence over user). Only do this intentionally.
.reg file
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
; Exported from gporais.com
; Policy: Allow notifications to set Microsoft Edge as default PDF reader
; State: Enabled
; Scope: Computer (HKLM)
; Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 93, Windows 7 or later
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge]
"ShowPDFDefaultRecommendationsEnabled"=dword:00000001More formats (PowerShell, Intune, SCCM)
PowerShell
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Allow notifications to set Microsoft Edge as default PDF reader
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 93, Windows 7 or later
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'ShowPDFDefaultRecommendationsEnabled' -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: Allow notifications to set Microsoft Edge as default PDF reader
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 93, Windows 7 or later
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
}
$checks = @(
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge' -Name 'ShowPDFDefaultRecommendationsEnabled' -Expected 1 -Kind DWord)
)
if ($checks -notcontains $false) {
Write-Output 'Compliant'
exit 0
}
Write-Output 'Non-compliant'
exit 1
# === Remediation script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Allow notifications to set Microsoft Edge as default PDF reader
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 93, Windows 7 or later
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'ShowPDFDefaultRecommendationsEnabled' -Value 1 -Type DWordSCCM scripts
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Allow notifications to set Microsoft Edge as default PDF reader
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 93, Windows 7 or later
# 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: Allow notifications to set Microsoft Edge as default PDF reader
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 93, Windows 7 or later
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
}
$checks = @(
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge' -Name 'ShowPDFDefaultRecommendationsEnabled' -Expected 1 -Kind DWord)
)
if ($checks -notcontains $false) {
Write-Output 'Compliant'
exit 0
}
Write-Output 'Non-compliant'
exit 1
# === Remediation script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Allow notifications to set Microsoft Edge as default PDF reader
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 93, Windows 7 or later
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'ShowPDFDefaultRecommendationsEnabled' -Value 1 -Type DWordBuilding a multi-setting collection? Add this setting and generate combined .reg / PowerShell / GPO scripts.