How to Restore Send by Email from Acrobat Using Thunderbird
Question details
The user is unable to send PDF documents directly from Adobe Acrobat Pro XI using Thunderbird after a malware infection and recovery.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Pro XI
- Device & OS
- Windows 10
- Scenario
- Attempting to use the native 'Send by Email' feature in Acrobat to automatically attach a PDF to a new Thunderbird email draft.
- Observed behavior
- Acrobat fails to recognize Thunderbird as the default email client, preventing the PDF from being sent directly through the application.
Ensure your antivirus software has fully quarantined any malware and that Windows is completely updated, as security sweeps often reset default registry keys.
Set Thunderbird as the Windows Default Email Application
Windows 10 might have lost its default email association during the malware attack or recovery process. Restoring it connects Acrobat back to Thunderbird.
Acrobat relies on the Windows default MAPI settings to launch an email client. By explicitly telling Windows 10 to use Thunderbird again, you can restore the broken communication between the two programs.
Click the Windows Start Menu and select the Settings gear icon, or press the Windows Key + I on your keyboard.
Click on 'Apps' in the settings menu, then select 'Default apps' from the left-hand sidebar.
Scroll down to the 'Email' section and click on the current default application (or the '+' icon if none is selected).
Select Mozilla Thunderbird from the dropdown list of available applications.
Close and reopen Adobe Acrobat XI, then test the 'Send by Email' function to see if Thunderbird launches correctly.
Repair or Update the Thunderbird Installation
Malware can corrupt vital application files. Reinstalling or repairing Thunderbird fixes broken registry links without losing your emails.
Manually Attach the PDF as a Workaround
If Acrobat's internal link remains broken due to software age, you can easily bypass the feature by attaching the file directly in Thunderbird.
Easily Share PDFs via Email with WPS Office
Skip the complicated Adobe registry troubleshooting. WPS Office provides a seamless, built-in way to open, edit, and email PDF files directly using your system's default mail client like Thunderbird.
- 1. Open PDF in WPS Office: Launch WPS Office and open the PDF document you wish to send.
- 2. Access the Share Menu: Click on the 'Menu' button in the top left corner of the application interface.
- 3. Select Email: Hover over 'Share' and click on 'Email' from the context menu.
- 4. Send via Thunderbird: WPS will automatically launch Thunderbird (or your default mail client) with the PDF already attached as a new draft.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Acrobat say no default mail client is recognized?
This happens when the Windows registry keys for the default Mail Application Programming Interface (MAPI) are corrupted or missing. This is often caused by malware altering system files or aggressive registry cleaners running during a malware recovery.
Can I use webmail instead of Thunderbird in Acrobat?
Yes. If desktop integration continues to fail, newer versions of Acrobat allow you to configure webmail accounts like Gmail or Outlook directly in its preferences (Edit > Preferences > Email Accounts) to send files without a desktop client.
Does Adobe Acrobat XI still receive updates to fix these bugs?
No, Adobe Acrobat XI reached its end of support in October 2017. It no longer receives bug fixes or security updates, which is why integration issues with modern operating systems like Windows 10 are common.
