How to Disable the Attach a Link Option in Adobe Acrobat
Question details
Users want to send an actual PDF file as an email attachment instead of a cloud link when sharing documents directly from Adobe Acrobat.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Emailing a PDF document directly from the Adobe Acrobat application or using the Acrobat integration ribbon within Microsoft Outlook.
- Observed behavior
- Acrobat defaults to sending a cloud link that requires sign-in and displays extra prompts, disrupting workflows for users who just want to attach the physical PDF file.
Ensure your default email client, such as Microsoft Outlook, is fully closed before modifying Adobe Acrobat preferences to ensure the settings apply correctly.
Modify E-Mail Accounts Preferences in Adobe Acrobat
This is the primary method to prevent Adobe Acrobat from automatically converting your email attachments into cloud links.
By default, newer versions of Acrobat encourage cloud sharing by generating a link. Disabling this preference restores the traditional behavior of attaching the actual PDF document to your email.
Launch Adobe Acrobat. Click on 'Edit' in the top menu bar (or the 'Menu' button in the new interface) and select 'Preferences'.
In the left-hand Categories pane of the Preferences window, find and select 'Email Accounts'.
Uncheck the box labeled 'Send link in attachment to email (Sign in required)'. Click 'OK' to save your changes.
Restart Adobe Acrobat, open a PDF, and click the email icon to verify that the file is now attached as a physical document.
Adjust Acrobat Settings Inside Microsoft Outlook
If you are starting the email process from within Outlook using the Acrobat add-in, you must adjust the settings directly on the Outlook ribbon.
Share PDFs Directly as Attachments with WPS PDF
If Adobe Acrobat's cloud link enforcements are disrupting your workflow, WPS Office offers a powerful, lightweight PDF editor that respects traditional file sharing. With WPS PDF, clicking email instantly attaches the actual file without requiring sign-ins or forcing cloud links.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install the free WPS Office suite on your computer.
- 2. Open Your PDF: Launch WPS PDF and open the document you wish to share.
- 3. Click Share via Email: Navigate to the top menu and click the 'Email' icon to automatically attach the exact PDF copy to your default desktop email client.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Adobe Acrobat force me to send a link instead of a normal attachment?
Adobe updated Acrobat's default behavior to push cloud collaboration. Sending a link reduces email server storage limits and allows document owners to track reviews, comments, and signatures, though it can disrupt workflows that simply require the physical file.
Does disabling the link option affect all email clients linked to Acrobat?
Yes, unchecking the 'Send link in attachment to email' setting in Acrobat's core preferences applies to whichever default desktop email application (like Outlook or Thunderbird) is configured in your Acrobat Email Accounts list.
What if the option keeps turning back on automatically?
If your settings revert, it may be controlled by your organization's IT policies via Adobe Admin Console. In such cases, you will need to contact your IT administrator to push a registry key update that permanently disables the cloud link default.
