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rexp45972370
Participant
November 20, 2015
Answered

Acrobat Reader DC window on external monitor is too big

  • November 20, 2015
  • 32 replies
  • 112831 views

The command bars, buttons and fonts are twice the size of those in Acrobat Pro, they take up too much space and restrict the amount of screen displaying the document -- how can I reduce to normal size (ie same as Acrobat Pro)? NB: this is not a 'zoom' issue! It must be due to Acrobat Reader not being able to automatically scale the window size for the larger monitor size. I am using Windows 10. BTW the same thing happens with Office 365 windows, but ONLY if File Explorer is set to preview documents in the Preview Pane, which currently it is not.

In the image below, the top window is Acrobat Pro, the bottom one is Acrobat Reader DC, in a single screenshot taken on the 1920 x 1080 pixel 24-inch external monitor.

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Paramjeet

    Hi,

    We released an update that fixes scaling issues following tracks: Acrobat DC Continuous, Acrobat 2017, Acrobat Reader DC Continuous, and Acrobat Reader 2017. This update will be automatically applied to all Acrobat and Reader users in the coming days. You may also update to the latest release by opening the application and going to Help > Check for Updates.

    For this fix to work you should ensure following:

    a. Ensure "Override high DPI scaling behavior. Scaling performed by" is unchecked.

        Right-click on Acrobat Reader DC icon.

        Choose Properties

        Select Compatibility tab

        Uncheck the box for "Override high DPI scaling behavior.  Scaling performed by:"

    b. Preference "Scale for screen resolution(restart required)" is set to 'Auto-Detect'.

        Open Acrobat/Reader.   

        Go to Edit > Preferences > General

        Select 'Auto-Detect' for preference 'Scale for screen resolution(restart required)'

    Could you please try it out and let us know if it addresses the above mentioned issue?

    Thanks,

    Paramjeet Yadav

    Acrobat Team

    32 replies

    Show previous replies
    R
    RW365
    Participant
    October 30, 2016

    Gee, Adobe, it's nearly one year since the original post, and no fix for this very basic issue.  Hi res monitors are not brand new technology, nor are external monitors a new, either.  What this issue demonstrates is that Adobe is not keeping up with developments, and that Acrobat is slipping into technological obsolescence.

    Precisely because of the persistence of this problem I'm NOT going to upgrade to Acrobat Pro DC or another desktop version should there ever be one.  Instead, I'm going to start looking for a third party pdf software.  I really have no choice.

      caitlink46075703
      caitlink46075703
      Participant
      October 13, 2016

      I am having the same problem and neither work around suggested by Adobe works for me with Windows 10. This is extremely frustrating.

        damienb65706631
        damienb65706631
        Participant
        October 13, 2016

        Same problem. What a nightmare!

        Dell XPS 15 laptop (3200 x 1800); Samsung monitor (1920 x 1080).

        Just purchased Acrobat Pro DC (v 2015.020.20039).

        I was able to fix same problem with PowerPoint 2016 by modifying the manifest file (see fix at PowerPoint is huge on a second monitor – César Souza), but I cannot make the same fix on Acrobat.

        C'mon Adobe Support - give us a fix!

        L
        lostwest
        Participant
        October 6, 2016

        Exact same problem here.  Dell XPS 15" 4k laptop with 24" 1900x1200 external display.  It is maddening.  I have the 4k display scaled to 200% and the external monitor to 100%.

          ravij6114805
          ravij6114805
          Participant
          August 24, 2016

          This worked for me:

          http://www.danantonielli.com/adobe-app-scaling-on-high-dpi-displays-fix/

          Create the registry entry exactly as he suggests.

          Download the illustrator manifest file he provides onto your harddrive and save it as "acrobat.exe".

          Put "acrobat.exe.manifest" into your C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Acrobat 2015\Acrobat folder if using windows 10.

          strophy1
          strophy1
          Participant
          August 25, 2016

          Hey ravij6114805, that doesn't work for me. I've used that trick on my other Adobe apps like Photoshop or Premiere CS6, but it doesn't work Acrobat Reader DC. My path to the executable where is this:

          C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Acrobat Reader DC\Reader\AcroRd32.exe

          And the manifest is named AcroRd32.exe.manifest

          Any other ideas?

          C
          codyr623
          Participant
          August 12, 2016

          I am having this same issue!!! Adobe Acrobat Pro DC updated to latest version as of 08/11/2016 running windows 10 on ASUS Zen AiO Pro 4K, secondary monitor is a Dell 24in 1920x1080p. When I disable Auto Scaling, all of the icons except for (File, Edit, View, Windo, and, Help) on Acrobat get really really tiny but they are a comfortable size on my secondary monitor. When I enable Auto Scaling, everything is the correct size on my main 4K monitor but way too large on my secondary 1080p monitor!!! This is very annoying but knowing how adobe's customer service and technical support is, I highly doubt it will ever be fixed!! Very angry with Adobe fo more reasons than one!

          strophy1
          strophy1
          Participant
          August 22, 2016

          Same issue here, the application is totally unaware that the DPI is changing on the external monitor. Setting no scale only affects some elements - the title bar, menu bar and scroll bars are still ridiculously huge on the external monitor, and too small on the laptop monitor. Even Notepad can get this right, come on Adobe!

          Lenovo W540

          Built-in display 2880*1620, scaling 200%

          External display 1920*1080, scaling 100%

          jphellemons
          jphellemons
          Participant
          July 19, 2016

          same problem on Asus zenbook.

          surface pro 3 (2160 * 1440) and external 24" screen (1920*1080)

          running the latest non-insider version of win10 (nov update 1511) x64 and acrobat reader dc 2015.017.20050

          (set auto-scaling to enabled and touch to auto-detect) <-- this seems okay

          also on asus zenbook (3200 * 1800) and external 24" screen (1920*1080)

          running the latest non-insider version of win10 (nov update 1511) x64 and acrobat reader dc 2015.017.20050

          (set auto-scaling to enabled and touch to auto-detect) <-- this did not work

          (set auto-scaling to disabled and touch to "never") <-- this worked on 2nd screen but does not look good on primary screen.

            lnl_roger
            lnl_roger
            Participant
            July 16, 2016

            Same problem; 4k on Laptop, 1920*1080p on 24" external monitor, ridiculously huge buttons etc. on external Monitor. Windows 10.

            "No scaling" did have an effect, it's better overall. It used to be perfect on the laptop screen and terrible on the external one. Now it is a bit too small on the laptop. a bit too large on the monitor.

            "Native" Windows windows appear large as I drag them over, but then instantly adjust to the new screen. That's what Adobe windows should be doing, a fix would be highly appreciated.

              mikea94680580
              mikea94680580
              Participant
              July 10, 2016

              I have the exact same problem -- have tried all the fixes suggested here and none works.

              fredc25138530
              fredc25138530
              Participant
              July 14, 2016

              Same problem here.

              andreas61565601
              andreas61565601
              Participating Frequently
              June 28, 2016

              Same problem forever. NOTHING works. I can't even get "No Scaling" to stick. I set it, close Acrobat, reopen, setting is UNSELECTED. I tried setting it, closing Acrobat, restarting laptop, open Acrobat, setting reverted AGAIN. So, so sick of this ridiculous Acrobat UI.

              The same thing exists in Reader. I HATE IT. Such a SCREEN HOG. See example.

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