Fix Outlook Save as PDF Not Working on Windows Server RDS
Question details
Users are unable to use the Adobe Acrobat Save as PDF feature within Microsoft Outlook in a Remote Desktop Services environment.
- Product
- Microsoft Outlook and Adobe Acrobat DC
- Device & OS
- Windows Server 2016
- Scenario
- Attempting to save or convert Outlook emails to PDF using the Adobe Acrobat integration on a Remote Desktop Services (RDS) terminal server.
- Observed behavior
- The Save as PDF option stops working or fails completely for Outlook users after Acrobat DC is installed on the terminal server.
Verify that you have administrative access to the Windows Server 2016 RDS environment and ensure your Adobe Acrobat DC enterprise license explicitly supports terminal server deployments.
Verify Acrobat DC Deployment and Licensing on RDS
Confirm that your Adobe Acrobat DC installation is properly configured for terminal server use and that your licensing covers RDS environments.
Adobe Acrobat DC requires specific enterprise deployment configurations to function correctly on a Remote Desktop Services server. Standard consumer installations often cause integration add-ins, like the Outlook 'Save as PDF' tool, to fail.
Reach out to Adobe Enterprise Support to verify if your current Acrobat DC version supports Outlook PDF integration on Windows Server 2016 RDS.
Ensure you installed Acrobat using the designated server-compatible deployment method, such as utilizing the Adobe Customization Wizard to properly provision the software for terminal servers.
Confirm that your organization holds the appropriate named-user licensing or serialized deployment credentials specifically designated for virtualized and terminal environments.
Use the Native Microsoft Print to PDF Feature
Bypass the malfunctioning Adobe Acrobat add-in by using the built-in Windows PDF printer to save your emails.
Try WPS Office for Seamless Built-in PDF Conversion
If third-party plugins like Adobe Acrobat are causing stability issues in your terminal server environment, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office, featuring robust, built-in PDF tools that don't rely on complex external add-ins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Acrobat Save as PDF plugin fail in Outlook on an RDS server?
Adobe Acrobat DC requires highly specific enterprise deployment methods and licensing models to function correctly in a Remote Desktop Services environment. Standard or misconfigured installations often cause Office add-in failures like the 'Save as PDF' error.
Can I convert Outlook emails to PDF without Adobe Acrobat installed?
Yes, you can use the native 'Microsoft Print to PDF' feature built into Windows Server 2016. Simply go to File > Print in Outlook and select it as your active printer to save the email as a PDF file.
Does WPS Office support PDF conversion natively without add-ins?
Absolutely. WPS Office includes a built-in PDF converter that allows you to export documents, spreadsheets, and presentations directly to PDF without needing to install, license, or troubleshoot any third-party add-ins.
