Fix Acrobat Reader Creating Random Folders on Windows RDS
Question details
Acrobat Reader DC leaves behind randomly generated temporary folders next to PDF files after closing them in a remote desktop environment.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Reader DC
- Device & OS
- Windows Server 2012 R2
- Scenario
- Opening and viewing PDF files stored on a Windows Server Remote Desktop Services (RDS) farm.
- Observed behavior
- The application creates temporary folders beside the PDF files during use and fails to remove them when the PDF is closed.
Ensure you have administrative privileges on your Windows Server RDS farm to modify folder permissions, verify user profile settings, and install software updates.
Update Acrobat Reader and Verify RDS Permissions
Installing the latest software update and ensuring proper folder permissions can resolve temporary file handling bugs in older builds like 2020.006.20034.
In Remote Desktop Services environments, older PDF reader builds often struggle with temporary file cleanup due to aggressive caching or minor software bugs. Updating the application usually patches these file-handling routines.
Open Acrobat Reader, navigate to Help in the top menu bar, and click 'Check for Updates' to install the latest supported version for your server environment.
Right-click the network or local folder where the PDFs are stored, select Properties, go to the Security tab, and ensure that RDS users have 'Modify' and 'Delete' permissions so temporary files can be cleared automatically.
Open your endpoint security or antivirus management console. Verify that active scanning is not locking temporary files while the PDF reader is attempting to delete them upon closure.
Implement a Scheduled Cleanup Script
Use a scheduled server task to periodically remove leftover temporary folders if upgrading the software is not immediately possible.
Open and Manage PDFs Flawlessly with WPS Office
Avoid temporary folder clutter on your RDS environments by switching to WPS Office. It includes a lightweight and highly efficient PDF reader that opens, edits, and closes PDF files smoothly without leaving behind unnecessary temporary directories.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the WPS Office installer suitable for your Windows Server environment.
- 2. Install on RDS: Run the installer with administrative privileges to deploy WPS Office across your Remote Desktop Services farm.
- 3. Set as Default PDF Reader: Go to Windows Default Apps settings and assign WPS Office as the default application for handling all .pdf files.
- 4. Open PDFs Cleanly: Double-click any PDF file. WPS PDF will open it quickly and close properly without generating leftover temporary folders on your server.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does a PDF reader create temporary folders on RDS?
PDF readers create temporary folders for caching, autosave functionalities, and smooth file rendering. In specific builds or restrictive environments like RDS, the software may fail to execute the deletion command when the file is closed.
Can antivirus software cause temporary folders to be left behind?
Yes. Aggressive real-time antivirus scanning can momentarily lock temporary files. If the PDF reader tries to delete the folder while the antivirus is scanning it, the deletion will fail and the folder will persist.
How do I find error logs to troubleshoot this temporary folder issue?
You can check the Windows Event Viewer under the 'Application' logs for errors related to the software's file handling. Additionally, you may need to enable detailed logging via the Windows Registry specifically for your PDF reader.
