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when I open a pdf the save is always as a web page only. I cant save as pdfs but I have Adobe Reader

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I can open a pdf from a website but when I click on save as it only lets me save it as a 'web page complete'....I cannot therefore save a pdf as a pdf, even though I have adobe reader.

I can open a pdf from a website but when I click on save as it only lets me save it as a 'web page complete'....I cannot therefore save a pdf as a pdf, even though I have adobe reader.

Chosen solution

In order to change the default reader for PDF files follow these steps (This is if you would like to use Firefox's built-in PDF reader):

  1. Go to Tools > Options (or Firefox > Options).
  2. In the Options window, select the Applications tab.
  3. In the Search field, type PDF. You should find Portable Document Format (PDF).
  4. On the right handside you should find an Action column. Use that to select your favorite PDF reader. In order to view PDF files in Firefox, choose Preview in Firefox.

Did this fix your problems? Please report back to us!

Thank you.

Read this answer in context 👍 1

All Replies (12)

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There is an icon in the upper right hand corner of the PDF document screen that looks like a page with a down arrow (attached image). It is next to the printer icon. Click that icon and it will download the PDF. Older versions had this at the bottom of the page when you mouse over somewhere near the bottom.


Hope this helps.

Modified by RLuebbert

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Hi,

You should be able to right click on the link to the PDF then click "Save Link As.." to save the PDF.

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-double post-

Modified by Yousef

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Thanks that's great, it works. But why cant you 'save as' a pdf file?? I am SURE I used to do this before a few days ago!!

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Firefox has it's own built-in PDF viewer now, so it must be an issue with the Adobe PDF plugin.

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Thanks. you know sometimes you just cant see things on the screen!!! It still seems funny that you cant 'save as' a pdf doc. Cheers, PETER

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Thanks, Do I have to download any firefox plugin??

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Chosen Solution

In order to change the default reader for PDF files follow these steps (This is if you would like to use Firefox's built-in PDF reader):

  1. Go to Tools > Options (or Firefox > Options).
  2. In the Options window, select the Applications tab.
  3. In the Search field, type PDF. You should find Portable Document Format (PDF).
  4. On the right handside you should find an Action column. Use that to select your favorite PDF reader. In order to view PDF files in Firefox, choose Preview in Firefox.

Did this fix your problems? Please report back to us!

Thank you.

Modified by Yousef

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Yes IT WORKED!!! I have changed it to open and read in Adobe Reader, which is what I think it used to do. Thanks so much. It still seems funny that you cant 'save as' a pdf within Firefox.

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Awesome! If the answer has solved your problem, then mark the question as "Solved". This way you will help others in a similar situation.

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Thank you all.....actually all the answers solved the problem but I could only click on one of them as 'solved'...Best, PETER

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To Open and Save a PDF file to your computer in Firefox: 1. Tools 2. Options 3. Applications 4. Portable Document Format (PDF), and click on it to select it 5. In drop down box to the right, choose “Use Adobe Acrobat (in Firefox)” 6. Click OK You should now be able to open PDF file in Firefox and hover over the bottom of the document to view gray transparent toolbar. Click on the Save a copy icon to save to your computer. Also you can always try (Shift + Ctrl + S) to save the document after it opens.