Well, you've got me stumped.
My test machine runs Windows 10 Pro x86 version 1709 OS build 16299.64. To remove other versions of Reader I used Adobe's own uninstaller, uninstalling from Settings - Apps & features.
The only thing I haven't tried (yet) is installing Reader DC then trying to go back to an earlier version...
...it's getting late here. That's one for another day (I'll keep you posted).
The only difference I can see is that I'm on a x64 machine and you are on a x32 machine but since we are both installing the 32-bit version of Adobe I don't see where that can make a difference.
I've done a couple of more uninstalls/reinstalls this morning using different combinations and still really haven't accomplished anything except getting myself very frustrated.
A shot in the dark...
Try the Adobe Reader Touch App from the Store:
Adobe Reader Touch
EDIT:
Don't use the Adobe App! Rendering is still terrible! Sorry,
try Xodo instead:
Xodo PDF Reader & Editor
No, neither do I.
I have now tried Reader DC and still cannot reproduce your problem.
With Reader DC installed it is listed under 'All add-ons' and 'Run without permission' in IE's 'manage add-ons' and can be disabled in either. Disabling 'Adobe PDF Reader' gives me the option to save or open in Reader DC when clicking on a pdf hyperlink in IE.
My test PC has a system image of Windows 10 Pro that I restore before each test. This image is about as standard as I can make it, so its IE is in the initial 'unused' state before I begin testing. On first use IE opens to the 'Set up Internet Explorer 11' dialog and then opens the 'Internet Explorer Welcome' page, so it is in its 'as first installed' state before I start testing.
You may want to try resetting your IE to its default settings. I hesitate to suggest this, because you'll loose all your personalisations, add-ons and custom settings - consider this only as a last resort. If you are prepared to set up your IE from scratch. then the 'Reset...' button is in Internet options on the Advanced tab.
Yes, I was thinking of using the nuclear option and hitting the reset button I guess that's what I'm going to try this afternoon. Nothing else has made any difference at all so hopefully that will. I really don't have that much personalization set up so it shouldn't be too big a job to get everything back to normal.
I certainly appreciate all your help and I'll let you know if hitting the reset button corrects the problem.
Well, you've certainly given my test system a thorough work-out - I've lost count of the number of times I've restored a system image this week :)
I certainly hope it does fix things for you. As I said, even the latest Reader DC should be able to be disabled in IE when installed on a 'virgin' 1709 system.
Okay, I think I have now officially given up! I reset everything in Internet Explorer to default conditions and I still get every PDF link I open opening in Internet Explorer instead of giving me a choice where to open it.
I was really debating doing a complete clean install but I have so many customizations for my AutoCAD and several other custom applications that I use that I really don't feel like reinstalling everything!
I certainly appreciate all the help you guys have given me, it's just got to be something stupid in my installation that causes this phenomenon.
See the post here:
How to restore the old Default Programs Menu? Solved - Page 3 - Windows 10 Forums
Run this:
[WINKEY+R] then copy/ paste:
explorer shell:::{17cd9488-1228-4b2f-88ce-4298e93e0966} -Microsoft.DefaultPrograms\pageDefaultProgram
Uncheck the pdf entry in your browser and remove pdf as default. In my case it's set to open in Edge.
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