Microsoft Edge does not open/read online PDFs

Question

I recently upgrade from Windows 8.1 Pro N to Windows 10 Pro N and I immediately notice a lot of problems. First one: Microsoft Edge does not open/read online PDFs.

If I want to open an online PDF, like a scientific paper or a programming manual, I receive this message from Edge: "Something is missing. To view a PDF, you need some media functionality that you don't current have. You can install the Media Feature Pack to view this PDF".

I understand that Windows N needs some additional tools, so I installed the Media Feature Pack, as MS Edge suggests me, but the problem still remains and I cannot open any PDF.

I admit that I don't know what to do and I'm not able to find useful information on the web.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

Solution 1

I had exactly the same problem -and thought I had gone through the correct process and downloaded the correct version of the Media Feature Pack (I have a 32 bit OS on an x64 so downloaded Windows10-KB3010081-x64). It seemed to install, but to no effect. After much searching (and having come across your question) I then read a comment that the other download Windows10-KB3010081-x86 was associated with the 32bit version so I downloaded and installed that - lo and behold I now have the expected "pdfs displaying in edge" and associated behaviour. It would have helped if there was better guidance on the download page as to which to download - or at least some automated checking as part of the instillation process. Ho hum. Good luck Simon

Solution 2

Had the same trouble, I went to the 3 dots top right of edge tool bar then clicked on open in windows explorer. success

Comments

[Uwe Keim]

Probably if you specify what "…does not open…" actually means, it is easier to help you.

[Marco Carletti]

Sorry but I thought I was clear. If I want to open an online PDF, like a scientific paper or a programming manual, I receive this message from Edge: "Something is missing. To view a PDF, you need some media functionality that you don't current have. You can install the Media Feature Pack to view this PDF".

[Ramhound]

@MarcoCarletti - You didn't provide the error in your original revision that is where the confusion was generated from.

[Marco Carletti]

@Ramhound - Sorry, in my mind everything was clear but I forgot to write it down correctly. I hope now my question is more understandable.

[Charles Morris - MSFT]

Can you confirm that you're running the release build of Windows 10 (10240) and that you're not part of the Windows Insider program?

[Marco Carletti]

@CharlesMorris-MSFT - Yes: Windows 10 Pro N edition, release build 10.0.10240. I'm not part of the Windows Insider program.

[Marco Carletti]

Thanks, but I don't understand... Why I need to open IE? How IE can modify Edge functionalities? In any case, If I open a page like THIS in IE, the PDF is shown correctly in the browser, while in Edge I see a white page with the message I wrote in the question. The problem is not to download a PDF (if there is a link), but only in the browser visualization.

[Marco Carletti]

Thanks! One month ago I tried to install the MFP-x64 but I got an "architecture error", so the installation failed. The installation of the x86 version did not change anything. After your suggestion, I retried the same thing (without hope, I admit) but the installation was successful. After the installation of the Windows10-KB3010081-x64 MS Edge shows me online PDFs :)

[Marco Carletti]

As I said to Simon, I got an "architecture error" during the installation of the MFP-x64 and the x86 version did not change anything. So the MFP did not work, at the time I wrote the question. Maybe some update of MS Edge, MFP or OS fixed something. Anyway, thank you.