Helpful trick: open multiple PDFs in one window

[filogue]

I am not sure it this is already posted before, but since recently discovering Foxit Reader, I wanted to be able to open multiple PDF documents in one window only.

So, in Windows XP, this is what I did:
1. In Explorer window: Tools menu - Options - File Types
2. In File types tab: PDF - Advanced
3. In Edit file type applet: select Actions - open, click on Edit
4. In Editing action for ... applet, set these values:
Use DDE: checked
DDE Message: [open("%1",,TRUE)]
(with the square brackets)

In my case, the above lets me open PDFs in an already running Foxit Reader instance. I can double-click, run from cmd prompt, or open from Opera, and the multiple PDFs would be loaded in the same, single instance.

Not sure why this wasn't the default option done the installer, or something that could be done by Foxit Reader either as an option or through the "Help->Set to Default PDF Reader" menu.

EDIT: This config gets overwritten by Foxit if it's set as the PDF default (Help - Set as default). Whenever Foxit starts, it would blank out the DDE message configuration. So, I had to go to another app (Acro, Nitro, etc) to get it to steal the association first, then went back to Foxit and left Help-Default unchecked. I then deleted the PDF association from the Explorer options, and recreated a new one for Foxit. This way, Foxit doesn't know it's the default and therefore doesn't check for it on start, and the DDE message configuration doesn' get overwritten. There might be quicker way to get this re-association.

[ditto]

to put that in some facts:
(no need to "steal" from other program)
REGEDIT4

[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.pdf]


[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\pdf_file]

[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\FoxitReader.Document]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.pdf]
"Content Type"="application/pdf"
@="pdf_file"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\pdf_file]
@="Portable Document File"
"EditFlags"=-
"BrowserFlags"=dword:00000008

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\pdf_file\DefaultIcon]
@="C:\\Progra~1\\FOXITR~1\\FOXITR~1.EXE,1"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\pdf_file\shell]
@="open"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\pdf_file\shell\open]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\pdf_file\shell\open\command]
@="\"C:\\Progra~1\\FOXITR~1\\FOXITR~1.EXE\" \"%1\""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\pdf_file\shell\open\ddeexec]
@="[open(\"%1\",,TRUE)]"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\pdf_file\shell\open\ddeexec\Appl ication]
@="FOXITR~1"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\pdf_file\shell\open\ddeexec\Topi c]
@="System"



Change path if neccessary!

The important thing is to delete any "EditFlags" ("EditFlags"=-).
(or dde error is shown)

copy the code above into "pdf_file.reg" and double click it to register.

The tilde (~) ist short for "Foxit Reader" (FOXITR~1) here (8.3 syntax).
But any full syntax will work too
\"c:\\program files\\foxit software\\foxitreader.exe\"

double backslash \\ is important if you edit that file - working with REGEDIT
itself a single backslash is right.

Thx for the tip - bit annoying that bug.

[hessian]

copy the code above into "pdf_file.reg" and double click it to register.


I have tried the registry file as well as directly changing the file type handling settings. My pdf files still open in separate foxit windows. Is there a fix for this?
thanks!

[Jessamine]

It will be possible soon.

[ditto]

for me it works - but in most cases i get additional an error message from explorer - annoying.
so i changed back to foxit itself.

[Boz]

It will be possible soon.
How soon? It has now been 9 weeks.

[dmesto]

damnit, i thought that i found it allready but it doesnt work :(

[abicash]

I want to talk about a similar problem
i used to have the bloated adobe reader previously because i never knew about the slim foxit reader.
the first thing i did was,remove adobe completely and keep foxit as my default pdf reader.But lately am having some annoying problems which are pushing me to switch to adobe again.i dont know if my registry is doing something oe the s/w.
1)the basic problem:i want it simple.all pdf files on my computer shouldhave the foxit icon(blue and orange on white bkgnd)
but its not having it.Whenever i double click a pdf file(w/o the icon) it asks for the "open with" dialogue.And everytime i do this,the reader opens up but not the file i m trying to open.So i have to open the file thru the reader always.
2)i tried to change the registry hkey .pdf xtensions and associating the foxit reder there,but again when i double click a pdf file it opens just for a couple of times and thn again the same thing
3)i changed the association in folders option of control panel,but the same thing.the pdf files wont show up the foxit icon.they show unknown file icon and the whole proc of "open with" and all

this was not the case with adobe reader.but i really want to use the foxit reader

[dmesto]

new version is out, and there isnt the possibility to open all doubleclicked pdfs in one window :(

edit: it works... ive got it at last, thx to filogue. thumbs up m8

[bmn2007]

new version is out, and there isnt the possibility to open all doubleclicked pdfs in one window :(
I've downloaded the latest version of FoxIt Reader. And I can't get it to only open one instance of the Reader-window. It's the only way to do it, by editing the registry manual?

[Boz]

bmn2007, MANY promises have been made but NOT KEPT by Foxit representatives over the years.

This is VERY unfortunate, since Foxit is really a VERY good alternative to Adobe Reader, but, at this time, only for the most BASIC users. Of course, this probably represents the vast majority of users.

However, if a person needs absolute reliability of compatibility with all PDF documents, they will be forced to use Adobe Reader until the Foxit developers become more responsive and HONEST, or at the very least, accurate, in their interaction with their customers.

[whennings]

for me it works - but in most cases i get additional an error message from explorer - annoying.
so i changed back to foxit itself.

I was able to get rid of the additional error message by setting

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\pdf_file]
"BrowseInPlace"="0"

(all other settings as in previous post, and no need to modify the "EditFlags")

[bmn2007]

Thanks both for your replies.

I have installed Foxit on my work computer, and will try to do the registry trick there. Until now I keep the Adobe Reader at my private computer.

[whennings]

I was able to get rid of the additional error message by setting

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\pdf_file]
"BrowseInPlace"="0"

(all other settings as in previous post, and no need to modify the "EditFlags")
Sorry, I have to correct myself. This avoids the message displayed by the Opera browser but not that displayed by Windows Explorer. :-(

[b/qq\b]

It's the only way to do it, by editing the registry manual?
No, you can also do it the complicated way. See http://www.autohotkey.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=29924 - that might apply to foxit reader.

[christina]

I am glad to say that Reader 2.3 supports to open mutiple files in one window.

[Yorker]

christina
This is great! Thanks!
But when will we be able to get it?

[christina]

Now it is in the testing phase...