Fix Adobe Acrobat SharePoint OpenDocuments Component Missing in IE
Question details
The Adobe Acrobat SharePoint OpenDocuments component does not appear in the Manage Add-ons list in Internet Explorer.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Reader DC / Internet Explorer
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Attempting to manage, open, or check out PDF documents from a SharePoint site using Internet Explorer after an application update or enterprise deployment.
- Observed behavior
- The required SharePoint OpenDocuments add-on is completely missing from the Internet Explorer add-on manager, preventing SharePoint features from integrating with Adobe Acrobat.
Ensure you are logged in with an administrator account on your Windows PC, as you may need to modify system browser configurations or repair enterprise software installations.
Check All Add-ons and Verify Browser Architecture
The add-on might simply be disabled or hidden in the default Internet Explorer view, or there may be a 32-bit/64-bit architecture mismatch.
Internet Explorer defaults to showing only 'Currently loaded add-ons'. Components that haven't been triggered yet or were disabled during an update won't appear here.
Additionally, the SharePoint OpenDocuments component requires the Adobe Acrobat architecture to match the Internet Explorer architecture (e.g., both must be 32-bit or both 64-bit).
Launch Internet Explorer, click the Gear icon (Tools) in the top-right corner, and select 'Manage add-ons' from the drop-down menu.
On the left side of the window under 'Show', click the drop-down menu and change it from 'Currently loaded add-ons' to 'All add-ons'.
Scroll through the list to find the 'Adobe Acrobat SharePoint OpenDocuments Component'. If the status says 'Disabled', click on it and press the 'Enable' button at the bottom right.
If the component is still missing, check your installed Adobe Acrobat version. If you are using a 64-bit Windows OS and 64-bit Internet Explorer, ensure you download and install the 64-bit version of Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Repair the Adobe Acrobat Installation
Use the built-in repair tool to restore missing registry keys and browser integration files that may have been lost during an update.
Choose WPS Office for Seamless PDF and Document Management
Struggling with legacy browser add-ons and complex SharePoint integrations can slow down your workflow. WPS Office provides a modern, standalone productivity suite equipped with a powerful built-in PDF editor, offering a highly compatible and lightweight alternative to Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package for your PC.
- 2. Install and Set as Default: Run the installer. During or after setup, set WPS PDF as your default application for viewing and editing PDF documents.
- 3. Open SharePoint PDFs directly: Download your PDF files from SharePoint directly to your computer and open them instantly in WPS Office, bypassing browser compatibility issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Acrobat SharePoint add-on disappear after an update?
Software updates can sometimes reset default browser configurations or registry keys. Additionally, if your organization pushes an enterprise deployment package, it might have been configured without the specific SharePoint integration features enabled.
Does the SharePoint OpenDocuments component work in Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge?
No. The SharePoint OpenDocuments component is an ActiveX control specifically designed for Internet Explorer. Modern browsers like Chrome and Edge do not support ActiveX; they use native PDF rendering or the modern Adobe Acrobat browser extensions instead.
How do I fix the architecture mismatch between Internet Explorer and Acrobat?
Check your system properties to confirm whether you are running a 32-bit or 64-bit operating system. Ensure that the version of Adobe Acrobat Reader you download directly matches the architecture of the Internet Explorer executable you are using to access SharePoint.
Can I open SharePoint PDFs without this Internet Explorer add-on?
Yes. Instead of relying on the browser plugin to open the file directly from the SharePoint server, you can select the document in SharePoint, choose 'Download', and open the local copy using any standalone PDF reader like WPS PDF or Adobe Acrobat.
