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November 3, 2015
Answered

How do I get Adobe Acrobat Reader DC to open PDF files in their own separate windows?

  • November 3, 2015
  • 6 replies
  • 31737 views

I find it interesting that as support for multiple monitors becomes more standard in operating systems, applications start forcing all associated documents into the same window such that one sometimes has to employ registry hacks to get the documents into separate windows to be able to easily compare side-by-side across the multiple monitors.

 

First it was Microsoft Excel... now it appears Adobe Reader is forcing the documents into a single window.

 

While Adobe Reader at least allows one to click on the "Window" menu and choose "New Window" to "move" a PDF to a separate window (annoyingly enough instead of actually moving the selected tab to the new window, it opens another copy, which requires one to still close the first copy in the original window). I'd prefer the default behavior to automatically open the documents in new windows when I double click on them in Windows Explorer to open them.  At least give me a preference option for this...

 

Does anyone have any (permanent) work arounds for this?  I know there are registry modifications for Excel (which I have implemented)... hopefully it is more straight forward for Adobe Reader.

 

Thanks,

Murray

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Correct answer bhawnaarora

Dear User,

 

We are delighted to inform you that we have extended support for opening multiple PDF files in separate windows (SDI - Single Document Interface Mode) in the latest updates of Acrobat.

 

To use this preference, simply go to Preferences > General > Open documents as new tabs in the same window and disable this. Relaunch Acrobat and open the documents, they will open in individual window instances (reference image attached for navigation to the preference)

 

We look forward to receiving your feedback and fostering seamless integration.

 

Thanks,

Bhawna.

6 replies

bhawnaaroraCorrect answer
Adobe Employee
July 4, 2024

Dear User,

 

We are delighted to inform you that we have extended support for opening multiple PDF files in separate windows (SDI - Single Document Interface Mode) in the latest updates of Acrobat.

 

To use this preference, simply go to Preferences > General > Open documents as new tabs in the same window and disable this. Relaunch Acrobat and open the documents, they will open in individual window instances (reference image attached for navigation to the preference)

 

We look forward to receiving your feedback and fostering seamless integration.

 

Thanks,

Bhawna.

Participant
February 26, 2020

I am using Adobe Acrobat DC and I do not have that option. How can I fix this?

 

Bernd Alheit
Community Expert
Community Expert
February 26, 2020

What can you see in the preferences?

Participant
April 11, 2019

Thank you so much! This eliminated a lot of frustration!!

Participant
October 15, 2018

I don't have the option "open documents as new tabs in same window" under general. May I know where else I can find this option?

November 5, 2015

Not sure how many times I looked at that screen and missed that option...  THANK YOU!!

November 3, 2015

Hi ,

Please Navigate to Edit>Preferences>General>Uncheck the option"Open documents as new tabs in same window(requires restart).>Once unchecked please relaunch Reader.

You would not be able to see documents in separate windows.

Regards

Sukrit Dhingra

mariyao40526469
Participant
October 4, 2016

I don't have the option "open documents as new tabs in same window" under general and am unsure what to do.

Participant
February 27, 2023

Found it:

Click the 3 horizontal lines button at top left

-> Disable new Acrobat Reader

-> Restart

-> Edit>Preferences>General

-> Uncheck the option "Open documents as new tabs in the same window (requires relaunch)"

-> Restart

-> Like this comment, enjoy