How to Make Acrobat Pro DC Open with the Select Tool by Default
Question details
The user wants Adobe Acrobat Pro DC to open with the Select tool by default instead of the Hand tool on touchscreen devices.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Pro DC
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Opening PDF documents for reading or editing on a touchscreen device such as a Microsoft Surface.
- Observed behavior
- Acrobat ignores preference and registry settings, defaulting to the Hand tool instead of the Select tool on touchscreen devices.
Note that the current workaround for this Adobe Acrobat touchscreen bug involves system-level hardware settings, which will temporarily disable your device's touch capabilities.
Disable Touchscreen in Windows Device Manager
This is currently the most effective workaround for the Acrobat Pro DC bug that forces the Hand tool on touchscreen devices.
Because Adobe Acrobat Pro DC has a known bug interacting with Windows touchscreen drivers, changing the internal application preferences often fails. The most reliable workaround is to temporarily disable the touchscreen via the Windows Device Manager when you strictly need the Select tool to act as the default.
Right-click the Windows Start button on your taskbar and select "Device Manager" from the context menu.
Find and expand the "Human Interface Devices" category in the Device Manager list.
Right-click on "HID-compliant touch screen" and select "Disable device". Click "Yes" when the warning prompt appears.
Close and reopen Adobe Acrobat Pro DC. The application should now correctly default to the Select tool.
Use WPS Office to View and Edit PDFs Without Touchscreen Bugs
Avoid frustrating software bugs and complex workarounds by opening your PDFs with WPS Office. WPS PDF provides a smooth, reliable reading and editing experience on all devices, including touchscreen laptops and tablets, with intuitive tool selections right out of the box.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office for free from the official website.
- 2. Open Your PDF: Launch WPS Office, click on the "PDF" tab, and open your document.
- 3. Use the Select Tool: The selection tool behaves normally, allowing you to seamlessly highlight text or select objects without needing to disable your touchscreen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Acrobat Pro DC default to the Hand tool on my Surface device?
Adobe Acrobat has a known bug with Windows touchscreen drivers. When it detects a touch interface, it overrides your user preferences and defaults to the Hand tool to facilitate easier touch panning.
Does changing the preferences in Acrobat fix the Select tool issue?
For touchscreen device users, changing the default tool in Acrobat's preferences (Edit > Preferences > General) or editing the system registry usually fails to resolve the issue due to the aggressive touch detection bug.
Can I use the Select tool in Acrobat without disabling my touchscreen?
Yes, but you have to manually switch to the Select tool by pressing the 'V' key or clicking the arrow icon every time you open a document. Currently, there is no way to make it the automatic default on a touch device without disabling the touch driver entirely.
