In desktop Chrome, open Settings → Privacy and security → Site settings → Additional content settings → PDF documents. Select Open PDFs in Chrome, then click a PDF link again. If PDFs open in a tab on other sites, the link that still downloads may be set up to deliver an attachment.
01Compare PDF links from different sites
Section linkUse a normal click on a PDF link from a site you trust, then try a PDF link from another site. A tab with page controls means Chrome opened the document in its viewer. A new item in Downloads means that click saved a local copy. Use links that actually lead to PDF files so you can compare the same action.
02When the setting works elsewhere
Section linkA website can send a PDF as an attachment or use a link that requests a download. Look for a separate View or Preview link on that page. If the site only offers a download, save the PDF and drag the trusted file from its folder into a Chrome tab to read it there.
03When the saved PDF opens in another app
Section linkOpening a file from Chrome’s Downloads page uses the computer’s default app for that file type. If a saved PDF opens in another reader, go back to the original web link for your test. The PDF documents setting controls eligible links you follow in Chrome.
Sources & further reading
Put it into practice
Before you convert
A short checklist for choosing an image format and checking the result.
Download checklist (.txt)