Fix Adobe Acrobat Creating Unknown Second File When Saving PDF
Question details
The user needs to resolve an issue where saving a PDF in Adobe Acrobat automatically generates an unexpected secondary file.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Saving a PDF document locally or on a network drive using Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader.
- Observed behavior
- An unknown additional file is created in the same directory alongside the saved PDF file.
Before troubleshooting, note down the exact file extension of the unknown second file being created and ensure your original PDF is safely backed up on a local drive.
Save to a Local Drive and Repair Acrobat Installation
Changing the save location and using the built-in repair tool often fixes anomalies caused by network drive syncing or corrupted application files.
Network drives or synced cloud folders can sometimes interrupt the file-saving process, causing temporary files to be permanently left behind. Additionally, corrupted program files within Acrobat can trigger irregular saving behaviors.
Open Acrobat and go to "File" > "Save As". Select a folder on your local hard drive (such as your Desktop or Documents folder) instead of a network drive to see if the second file is still created.
If the issue persists on a local drive, open Adobe Acrobat and navigate to the "Help" menu located at the top of the application window.
Click on "Repair Installation" (available on Windows) and allow the automated process to complete. Once finished, restart your computer and try saving a PDF again.
Create a New Administrator User Profile
Creating a new Windows user profile with administrator privileges can bypass corrupted user environment settings causing the file duplication.
Check Product Version and Update the Software
Older versions like Acrobat Pro XI have reached end-of-life and may suffer from unpatched compatibility issues with modern operating systems.
Try WPS Office for a Seamless PDF Editing Experience
If your current PDF software is outdated, no longer supported, or experiencing glitches like creating phantom files, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, free, and highly compatible suite with a built-in PDF editor that allows you to easily view, edit, and save PDFs without unexpected errors.
- 1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the installer and follow the quick on-screen instructions to set up the software on your device.
- 3. Manage your PDFs: Launch WPS Office, open the dedicated 'PDF' tab, and open your existing PDF documents to edit and save them cleanly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Acrobat Pro XI have glitches when saving PDFs on Windows 10 or 11?
Adobe Acrobat Pro XI has reached its end-of-life (EOL). Because Adobe no longer provides security patches or compatibility updates for it, the software is prone to operational errors and file-handling glitches when run on modern operating systems.
What are the temporary files created when saving a PDF?
When saving a document, many programs generate temporary working files or network sync files. Usually, these are deleted automatically once the save is complete. If the software crashes, encounters a permission error, or has a bug, these files (often ending in .tmp) may be left behind next to the original PDF.
Can saving a PDF to a network drive cause extra files to appear?
Yes. Saving directly to a network drive or cloud-synced folder can sometimes interrupt the file-writing process due to connection latency or synchronization conflicts. This interruption can result in the creation of unknown secondary files. Saving to a local hard drive first helps determine if the network is the root cause.
