Drive now opens up a PDF file in a new tab instead of in preview mode

Question

I have a brand new installation of Windows 11. Google Drive in Chrome now opens PDF files in a new tab when I double-click it. Previously, double clicking a PDF file opens the file in the same tab and I could go to the next/previous one very quickly and pressing Esc will close it.
How do I get back the old behavior.
I have seen posts where they say it happens because Chrome has run out memory, but this is a brand new PC with 16GB and lots of available memory.

Jo S. · Accepted Answer

Hi there,
This is a change that was released in the last update. To preview files now, you need to right click on the file and select Open with > Preview or use the shortcut key "P" on the selected file.
Google reported that a new update will be released in the coming weeks, and the default way to open files will become configurable: users will be able to choose whether they want to open them in preview mode in the same tab, or in a new one.
Jo S.
Google Docs/Drive forum volunteer
not a Google employee

Jo S. · Accepted Answer

K. Kong and User 7602980297723003182, please share your concerns about this directly with the Drive team by following these steps:
Go to Google Drive (drive.google.com). 
Click on the question mark in a circle at the top right of the page (to the left of the gear icon). 
Go to "Send feedback to Google" and enter your feedback.
On mobile, open Drive, tap the 3 horizontal lines at the top right of the page, and select Help & feedback.
 
Although the product team is unable to respond to individual users directly, they review this feedback regularly and use it to help improve the product over time.
Jo S.
Google Docs/Drive forum volunteer
not a Google employee