How can I support the display of a PDF file in a browser in 64-bit Internet Explorer

Question

Adobe does not seem to support displaying PDF files in a browser when using the 64-bit version of Internet Explorer. After clicking the link to the PDF link, 64-bit Internet Explorer will always span the new Adobe window to display the PDF file. The 32-bit Internet Explorer will display the pdf embedded in the browser.

I noticed this problem when using the WebBrowser control in a 64-bit WinForms.NET application. I do not consider it possible to use the 32-bit WebBrowser control in a 64-bit application, so I am looking for some solutions to this problem, even if it requires the use of a third-party plugin.

Any suggestions are welcome.

Thanks.

Answer 1

If the target platform requires x64, and you need to use a function incompatible with x64, then obviously you have a problem. You will have to compromise on one side or the other.

Alternatively, you can open a separate process for the PDF viewer and set the parent window of the newly created process window to your container control. This will “embed” the window in your control. Then you can forcefully remove the border and maximize it. Windows API to the rescue! Check out Sumatra PDF if you decide to go this route, which you can probably distribute without any problems.