Open a pdf without having to install adobe locally

[ryan_powell]

Hi, we have a server install of adobe reader which is accessible by kids. The problem being that the computers don't recognise PDF documents because adobe isn't installed locally. Is there a simple reg hack or profile fix I can use to register the pdf class and assign the server unc path to adobe reader to open pdfs?

 

Thanks

[mac_shinobi]

daft thought here and not sure if it will work but couldnt you register the pdf file extension in the file extensions \ file associations section in windows xp by going to my computer --> tools --> folder options --> file types and adding a new file type and it will ask you to register it with what app and just point it to the one on the server ( which may cause some issues because if everyone is trying to use that one app from the server may slow it down ) and then just tell it that its a pdf file extension.

 

Short of that you could try and find out what ocx or other files you need ie dll's and just register them using regsvr32 from the run dialog box.

 

Dont ask me what files lol.

 

Just a couple of thoughts That or there may be a pdf viewer util or something like that possibly.

 

*shrugs* open office possibly lol j/k

[ryan_powell]

nice idea but we have 100 or so workstations so i'd like to avoid having to log on to each computer and setting it in Windows itself, a profile or reg fix would be best i think if that's possible.

 

Thanks

[webman]

Have a look at the post in this thread.

[BradP.]

Using this document:

 

MSDN article

 

I came up with the following:

 

1) In regedit, under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT, create a key called .pdf and change the default value to myAcrobat.

 

2) Create another key called myAcrobat. Create a subkey called shell. Create another subkey under shell named Open. Create a subkey under Open named command. Change command's default value to the UNC path to acrobat's exe.

 

3) Export the myAcrobat and .pdf keys to .reg files and distribute.

 

I have no idea of the ramifications if you ever needed to install Acrobat on the computers you changed the keys to, though.

[NetworkGeezer]

Or you can use Foxit which doesn't require installation and can bee run from a USB drive.

[NetworkGeezer]

Oops should have read the question more carefully.

[ryan_powell]

Thanks BradP have made the reg files and will float it out on a test workstation tomorrow morning.

 

Will let you kno whow it goes on. As fas as if we come to install adobe locally i'd just assume the adobe installer would overwrite any regkeys it needs to and would make itself the default handler so no harm should come.