How to Fix PDFs Saving as Shortcuts in Adobe Acrobat 2017
Question details
The user needs to find their saved PDF files, which appear to be saving as shortcut links rather than actual PDF documents.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat 2017
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Saving newly created or edited PDF files to a computer directory.
- Observed behavior
- Saved PDF documents appear as shortcuts in the Recent folder or cannot be located at all in the expected destination folder.
Make sure you know the exact file name you attempted to save the PDF as, which will make it easier to search your system if the file was routed to an unexpected directory.
Verify Save Destination and Test Local Folders
Manually selecting a local folder ensures the file system is correctly saving the actual PDF rather than creating a temporary link.
Sometimes, relying on the 'Recent' folders list in the save dialog can misdirect files or create shortcuts. Testing a direct path confirms whether the issue is with the software's saving mechanism or just folder redirection.
With your PDF open in Acrobat 2017, click on the 'File' menu in the top left corner and select 'Save As'.
Click 'Choose a Different Folder' and manually navigate to a known local directory, such as your Desktop or Documents folder.
Click 'Save'. Navigate to your Desktop using your computer's file explorer and confirm that the actual PDF file (.pdf) is present, rather than a shortcut link (.lnk).
Locate the Original File via Shortcut Properties
If you only see a shortcut in your Recent folder, you can trace it back to find exactly where Acrobat saved the original file.
Save and Edit PDFs Flawlessly with WPS Office
Avoid confusing shortcut issues and save your PDFs reliably with WPS Office. Its built-in PDF editor allows you to seamlessly create, edit, and save PDF files exactly where you want them, completely free of charge.
- 1. Open WPS Office: Launch the WPS Office application on your computer and click on 'PDF' to open the built-in PDF toolkit.
- 2. Edit or Create PDF: Open your existing document or create a new one, making any necessary edits using the intuitive toolbar.
- 3. Save the File: Click 'Menu' in the top-left corner, select 'Save As', choose your precise local destination folder, and click 'Save'.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my PDFs show up as shortcuts in the Recent folder?
Operating systems and Acrobat often create shortcut links (.lnk) in 'Recent' folders to help you quickly access files. The actual PDF file is successfully saved elsewhere on your computer's hard drive.
How can I find a PDF if I forgot where I saved it?
You can use your computer's built-in search bar (like Windows Search) to look for the exact file name. Alternatively, open Acrobat 2017, go to File > Open, and hover over the file in the 'Recent' list to see its full directory path.
Does saving a PDF to a network drive create shortcuts instead of files?
Sometimes, saving directly to synced network drives, cloud folders, or restricted directories might result in unexpected behavior, including temporary shortcuts displaying locally. Ensuring you save to a standard local folder (like Documents) first can prevent this issue.
