Fix Acrobat 9 Freezing When Printing Outlook Emails to PDF
Question details
The user's application freezes completely when attempting to print or save an email from Outlook 2019 as a PDF file.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat 9
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Trying to convert or print a Microsoft Outlook 2019 email message into a PDF format using an older PDF application.
- Observed behavior
- Adobe Acrobat 9 freezes and stops responding during the PDF creation process from Outlook, even though the same feature works properly in Word and Excel.
Make sure to save any open email drafts in Outlook before testing new printing methods, as application freezes may cause unsaved data loss.
Use the Built-in Microsoft Print to PDF Feature
Bypass the outdated Acrobat 9 plugin entirely by using the native virtual PDF printer included in modern Windows operating systems.
Since modern Windows operating systems come with a native PDF printer, you do not need to rely on third-party plugins for basic email-to-PDF conversions. This method is stable and fully compatible with Outlook 2019.
Launch Outlook 2019 and double-click the specific email message you want to save as a PDF.
Click on the 'File' tab in the top-left corner of the Outlook window, then select 'Print' from the left-hand sidebar.
Under the 'Printer' drop-down menu, click the current printer name and select 'Microsoft Print to PDF' from the list instead of Adobe PDF.
Click the large 'Print' button. A 'Save Print Output As' dialog box will appear. Choose your desired folder, enter a file name, and click 'Save'.
Upgrade to a Modern PDF Editor
Replace the obsolete Acrobat 9 software with a current PDF application that officially supports integration with Microsoft Office 2019.
Upgrade to WPS Office for Seamless Document and PDF Handling
Tired of dealing with outdated plugins and freezing software? WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and easy-to-use Office alternative with highly stable, built-in PDF tools. Enjoy seamless document creation and direct PDF conversion without the compatibility headaches of legacy software.
- 1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS website to download the free installation package and follow the on-screen instructions.
- 2. Open Your Documents: Easily open your existing Microsoft Office files or create new documents within the streamlined WPS interface.
- 3. Export to PDF Instantly: Use the built-in 'Export to PDF' button to generate high-quality PDFs instantly, without needing any third-party plugins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Acrobat 9 freeze specifically in Outlook 2019?
Acrobat 9 is an obsolete application released years before Outlook 2019. It lacks the modern architecture required to interface with newer Microsoft Office software and Windows operating systems, causing the rendering engine to stall and freeze the application.
Will reinstalling Acrobat 9 fix the Outlook printing issue?
No. Because the root cause is a fundamental software compatibility issue between an outdated program and a modern email client, reinstalling the same old version of Acrobat will not resolve the freezing problem.
How can I save an Outlook email to PDF without using Adobe Acrobat?
You can use the 'Microsoft Print to PDF' feature built into Windows. Open the email in Outlook, go to File > Print, select 'Microsoft Print to PDF' from the printer dropdown menu, and click Print to save your email as a PDF file.
