How to Open PDFs in Separate Acrobat Windows or Sessions
Question details
The user wants to open multiple PDF files in separate application windows rather than as tabs within a single window.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Opening multiple PDF documents simultaneously to view them side-by-side or on different monitors.
- Observed behavior
- Acrobat defaults to opening new PDF documents as tabs within the existing active window, preventing independent window management.
Ensure you have saved any active edits or form data in your currently open PDF documents, as you will need to restart Adobe Acrobat to apply the preference changes.
Disable Tabbed Document Viewing in Preferences
Modify Acrobat's general preferences to force all new PDF files to open in independent windows instead of tabs.
Modern versions of Adobe Acrobat use a tabbed interface by default to keep multiple PDFs organized in a single window. By disabling this feature in the application's preferences, you can manage each document in its own separate window, which is ideal for multi-monitor setups or side-by-side content comparison.
Launch Adobe Acrobat. Click on the 'Edit' menu at the top left of the application window and select 'Preferences' from the drop-down list. Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+K on Windows or Cmd+K on Mac.
In the Preferences dialog box that appears, select 'General' from the Categories list located on the left-hand panel.
Look for the 'Basic Tools' section within the General settings. Find and uncheck the box labeled 'Open documents as new tabs in the same window'.
Click the 'OK' button at the bottom of the dialog box to save your settings. Close and restart Adobe Acrobat, then open multiple PDF files to verify they now launch in completely separate windows.
View Multiple PDFs Side-by-Side with WPS Office
If you frequently need to compare PDF documents, WPS Office offers a built-in, lightweight PDF reader that makes window management effortless. You can easily tear off tabs into separate windows or use the native split-screen functionality.
- 1. Open Your PDFs in WPS Office: Launch WPS Office and open multiple PDF files. They will neatly organize into tabs at the top of the interface.
- 2. Drag to Create Separate Windows: Click and hold any PDF tab, then drag it downwards and release it outside the tab bar. This instantly creates a new, independent window for that document.
- 3. Use Split-Screen for Easy Comparison: If you prefer keeping a single window, go to the 'View' tab on the ribbon and click 'Split Window' to view two PDFs perfectly aligned side-by-side.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my PDFs still open in tabs after I changed the Acrobat settings?
If your PDFs continue to open in tabs, ensure you have completely closed and restarted Adobe Acrobat. On macOS, you may also need to check your system settings (System Preferences > General), as the OS has a system-wide setting called 'Prefer tabs when opening documents' that can override application preferences.
Can I temporarily pull a single PDF tab into a new window?
Yes. Even if you have tabbed browsing enabled in Acrobat, you can click and hold a specific document's tab, drag it out of the main application window, and release it to separate it into its own window.
How can I view two PDFs side-by-side without disabling tabs?
You can use Acrobat's built-in arrangement features. With multiple tabs open, go to Window > Tile > Vertically or Window > Tile > Horizontally. This will arrange your open tabs side-by-side within the same parent application window.
