Why Adobe Acrobat DC 2015 Opens PDFs in Separate Windows
Question details
The user wants to open multiple PDF documents in tabs within a single window, but Adobe Acrobat DC 2015 opens them in separate windows and lacks the tab preference setting.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat DC 2015
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to open multiple PDF files simultaneously in a single application window for better workspace management.
- Observed behavior
- PDF files open in entirely separate windows, and the option to enable tabbed viewing is missing from the application preferences.
Verify whether you are using the perpetual-license edition or the continuous subscription edition of Adobe Acrobat DC 2015, as feature availability differs between the two.
Upgrade Your Adobe Acrobat Version
Tabbed viewing is only available in Adobe Acrobat subscription versions or newer perpetual releases, requiring a version upgrade.
The perpetual-license edition of Adobe Acrobat DC 2015 was released before tabbed viewing became a standard feature. Adobe did not backport this feature to the 2015 perpetual version, meaning there is no hidden setting or registry tweak to enable it.
Open Adobe Acrobat, navigate to the 'Help' menu at the top, and click 'Check for Updates' to verify if your specific license qualifies for a feature update.
If no feature update is available for your 2015 perpetual license, visit the official Adobe website to upgrade to Acrobat Pro DC (subscription) or Acrobat 2017/2020.
After installing a supported version, go to 'Edit' > 'Preferences' > 'General' and check the box for 'Open documents as new tabs in the same window'.
Switch to a PDF Editor with Native Tab Support
If upgrading Adobe Acrobat is not feasible, you can use alternative PDF software that supports tabbed viewing by default.
Open and Edit PDFs in Tabs with WPS Office
WPS Office comes with a powerful, built-in PDF reader and editor that natively supports tabbed viewing. You can open multiple PDF files in a single window without cluttering your desktop, completely free of charge.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install the free WPS Office suite on your computer.
- 2. Launch the PDF Tools: Open the WPS Office application and click on the 'PDF' section from the left sidebar or home screen.
- 3. Open Your First PDF: Click 'Open' and browse your computer to select and open your first PDF document.
- 4. Add More Tabs: Click the '+' icon located next to the current document tab to browse and open additional PDFs in the same window.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a registry fix to enable tabs in Acrobat DC 2015?
No, the perpetual-license version of Acrobat DC 2015 lacks the underlying software architecture for tabbed viewing, so no registry changes or hidden settings can enable this feature.
Which Adobe Acrobat versions support opening PDFs in tabs?
Tabbed viewing was introduced in the continuous subscription track of Acrobat DC. For perpetual licenses, it is available in Acrobat 2017, Acrobat 2020, and all newer releases.
Can I view PDFs in tabs for free without upgrading Adobe Acrobat?
Yes, you can use alternative PDF software like WPS Office, which natively supports opening multiple PDF documents in tabs within a single application window for free.
Why does Adobe differentiate features between perpetual and subscription versions?
Adobe updates its subscription versions continuously with new features and interface improvements, whereas perpetual licenses (like Acrobat 2015) only receive essential security updates and bug fixes after their initial release.
