How to Stop Recent PDFs from Opening When Creating a New PDF in Acrobat DC
Question details
The user wants to prevent Adobe Acrobat DC from automatically opening recent PDF documents whenever a new PDF file is created.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat DC
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Creating a new PDF document using Adobe Acrobat tools or PDF printers
- Observed behavior
- Recent PDF documents automatically open in Acrobat DC immediately after a new PDF is generated.
Determine the exact method you are using to create PDFs (e.g., printing to PDF, using the Combine Files tool, or using an application plug-in), as the setting to disable automatic opening varies based on your specific creation workflow.
Disable 'View Adobe PDF Results' in Printer Preferences
Use this solution if you create PDFs by selecting the 'Adobe PDF' option from the Print menu in your applications.
When the Adobe PDF printer is configured to view results automatically, it forces Acrobat to launch. Occasionally, this action also triggers Acrobat's session restore feature, causing previously opened or recent PDFs to appear alongside your new document.
Press the Windows key, type 'Control Panel', open it, and navigate to 'Devices and Printers' or 'Printers & scanners' depending on your Windows version.
Locate the 'Adobe PDF' printer in the list. Right-click on it (or click 'Manage') and select 'Printing preferences'.
Go to the 'Adobe PDF Settings' tab. Locate the checkbox labeled 'View Adobe PDF results' and uncheck it. Click 'Apply' and then 'OK' to save your changes.
Adjust Settings in the Acrobat PDFMaker Plug-in
Apply this fix if you are generating PDFs directly from the Acrobat ribbon inside Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint.
Check Preferences in the Combine Files Tool
Follow these steps if recent files are opening automatically after you merge multiple documents into a single PDF.
Create PDFs Seamlessly with WPS Office
Avoid unexpected file pop-ups and workspace clutter by using WPS Office to create, convert, and manage your PDF documents. WPS Office provides a stable, streamlined PDF creation workflow without disrupting your screen.
- 1. Open your document: Launch WPS Office and open the text document, spreadsheet, or presentation you want to convert.
- 2. Select the Export option: Click on the 'Menu' button in the top-left corner and select 'Export to PDF' from the dropdown list.
- 3. Configure and save: Choose your preferred save location and export settings, then click 'Export'. Your PDF will be created cleanly without forcing unrelated files to open.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Acrobat DC automatically open my recently viewed files?
Acrobat has a 'Restore last view settings when reopening documents' feature, which can sometimes interact poorly with the 'View Adobe PDF result' setting. When PDF creation forces Acrobat to launch, it may automatically load the files you had open during your previous session.
How do I stop Acrobat from opening completely when I download or save a PDF?
If PDFs are opening in Acrobat immediately after downloading from a browser, you need to change your browser settings. For instance, in Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site Settings > Additional content settings > PDF documents, and choose 'Download PDFs' instead of opening them in the browser or default viewer.
Does disabling 'View Adobe PDF result' affect the quality of the created PDF?
No. Disabling this setting only stops the application from automatically displaying the file on your screen once the conversion finishes. The PDF is still created with the exact same quality and saved to your chosen destination folder.
