Fix Adobe Acrobat Pro 2017 Crashes When Copying Text Boxes
Question details
The user is experiencing application crashes in Adobe Acrobat Pro 2017 when attempting to copy and paste text boxes within a PDF.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Pro 2017
- Device & OS
- Windows 10
- Scenario
- Editing a PDF document by copying and pasting existing text boxes.
- Observed behavior
- Adobe Acrobat Pro 2017 unexpectedly crashes entirely upon copying and pasting text boxes, likely due to a corrupted registry entry for the user profile.
Since this solution requires modifying the Windows Registry, it is highly recommended to export a backup of your current registry or create a Windows System Restore point before proceeding.
Delete and Recreate the Acrobat Registry Key
Resetting the user-specific registry key for Adobe Acrobat clears out corrupted custom tool settings and resolves the crashing issue.
Acrobat stores custom tool settings and user preferences in the Windows Registry. When these entries become corrupted, performing standard actions like copying text boxes can trigger a critical failure. Deleting the specific version key forces Acrobat to build a fresh, error-free registry entry upon the next launch.
Press the Windows Key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box. Type 'regedit' into the text field and press Enter or click OK.
In the Registry Editor's left pane, carefully expand the folders to navigate to the following path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat.
Under the Adobe Acrobat folder, locate the folder named '2017'. Right-click on it and select 'Delete' from the context menu, then confirm your action.
Close the Registry Editor and open Adobe Acrobat Pro 2017. The software will automatically recreate the deleted registry key with default, uncorrupted settings.
Easily Add and Copy PDF Text Boxes in WPS Office
If Acrobat continues to crash or you want a faster, more stable way to edit PDFs, use the built-in WPS PDF editor. It provides lightweight performance and robust PDF tools to manipulate text boxes without system errors.
- 1. Open Your PDF in WPS: Launch WPS Office, select 'PDF' from the main interface, and open your document.
- 2. Access Text Tools: Navigate to the 'Insert' or 'Edit' tab located on the top ribbon and select 'Text Box'.
- 3. Copy and Paste Safely: Click the border of any text box to select it. Press Ctrl+C to copy and Ctrl+V to paste the text box seamlessly across your document.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does copying a text box cause Acrobat to crash?
Crashes during specific editing actions like copying text boxes are typically caused by corrupted user preferences or damaged registry keys that manage the custom tool settings in Acrobat 2017.
Will deleting the Acrobat registry key delete my saved PDFs?
No. The registry key located at HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat only stores user preferences and interface configurations. Your saved PDF documents are stored safely on your hard drive and will not be affected.
How do I back up my registry before making changes?
To back up your registry, open the Registry Editor, click 'File' in the top menu, and select 'Export'. Choose a safe location to save the .reg file and ensure 'Export range' is set to 'All'.
What if Acrobat 2017 still crashes after resetting the registry?
If the problem persists, open Acrobat and go to Help > Repair Installation to fix potentially corrupted program files. Additionally, ensure you have installed the latest updates for Adobe Acrobat 2017.
