How to Fix Outlook Freezing After Sending a PDF via Adobe Acrobat
Question details
The user experiences Microsoft Outlook freezing or locking up after successfully sending a PDF using Adobe Acrobat's 'Share > Attach to Email' command.
- Product
- Microsoft Outlook and Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to share and send a PDF file directly from Adobe Acrobat using the integrated 'Attach to Email' command.
- Observed behavior
- The email sends successfully, but Microsoft Outlook freezes and becomes unresponsive immediately after the action is completed.
Before troubleshooting, ensure that you have saved any open email drafts in Outlook and that your computer is connected to the internet to download required application updates.
Update Adobe Acrobat to the Latest Version
Ensure you have the latest bug fixes and compatibility updates for Adobe Acrobat to prevent integration failures with Outlook.
Software version mismatches between Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Office frequently cause freezing issues during cross-application tasks.
Launch Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader DC on your computer.
Click on 'Help' in the top menu bar and select 'Check for Updates' from the dropdown list.
If an update is available (such as version 19.21.20056 or newer), follow the on-screen prompts to download and install it.
Restart your computer to apply the changes, open a PDF, and try sending it via the 'Share' command again.
Temporarily Disable Protected Mode and Enhanced Security
Disable Acrobat's security features temporarily to check if they are blocking the communication with Microsoft Outlook.
Use the Direct Email Icon Alternative
Bypass the 'Share' menu integration entirely by using the direct email attachment icon or manual attachment.
Use WPS Office to Share PDFs Without Freezing
WPS Office includes a built-in, lightweight PDF editor that integrates flawlessly with your default email client. You can attach and send PDFs directly from the application without experiencing the freezing issues common with other heavy software combinations.
- 1. Open your PDF in WPS Office: Launch WPS Office and open the PDF document you want to send.
- 2. Access the Share feature: Click on the 'Share' button located at the top right corner of the interface.
- 3. Select Email: Choose the 'Email' option from the sharing menu. WPS will automatically trigger your default email client with the PDF attached.
- 4. Send your email: Fill in the recipient's details and click send. WPS Office will remain fully responsive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Outlook freeze when sending a PDF from Adobe Acrobat?
This usually happens due to version incompatibilities between Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Outlook, or because strict security settings in Acrobat (like 'Protected Mode') interfere with the cross-application communication required to hand off the file.
Will disabling Protected Mode in Acrobat put my computer at risk?
Yes, disabling Protected Mode removes a security layer that sandboxes potentially malicious PDFs. It is recommended to disable it only temporarily for troubleshooting purposes. Once testing is complete, you should re-enable it.
How do I check my current Adobe Acrobat version?
Open Adobe Acrobat, click on 'Help' in the top menu bar, and select 'About Adobe Acrobat' or 'About Adobe Reader'. A new window will pop up displaying your current version number.
Can I send PDFs without using the 'Share' button in Acrobat?
Yes. You can open Microsoft Outlook directly, compose a new email, and manually attach the saved PDF file using the 'Attach File' button. This bypasses the Acrobat integration entirely and avoids the freezing issue.
