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Piotr23522437xiwv
Participant
March 25, 2026
Question

Inconsistent behavior when opening pdf files with multiple monitors

  • March 25, 2026
  • 1 reply
  • 15 views

We use desktop PCs with multiple monitors (2 or 3) and Windows 11. Windows has a feature that it tries to remember on which monitor was app running last time it was closed, and when you open it again it will launch on that same monitor. But this feature doesn’t work properly with Adobe Reader, and since monday it’s kinda broken. Let me explain

User1: three monitors side by side, center is main. User opens some pdf that he never opened, it opens on center monitor. He moves the window to left monitor and closes it. He opens again the same pdf and it opens on the left monior. He closes it and opens different pdf that he never opened before. It opens on center monitor. He moves it to right monitor, closes it and openes again. It opens on right monitor. He closes it and opens previous pdf. It opens on left screen. User is annoyed 🙄.

User2: two monitors, right one is main, left one is secondary, new Adobe UI. Users opens pdf from Outlook (classic) running on left monitor. Adobe Reader opens on right monitor. He moves Adobe Reader window to left monitor and closes it. He opens same or another pdf from Outlook and it opens again on right screen. It used to work correctly until monday, I mean Adobe Reader used to always open on left screen where it was closed. And now it doesn’t.

Doesn’t make a difference between new and old UI.

Please fix this.

    1 reply

    Amal.
    Amal.
    Legend
    March 25, 2026

    Hi there,

    Hope you are doing well and thank you for reaching out and for explaining the situation so clearly. We are sorry for the trouble you are experiencing.



    As described the Adobe Reader is currently remembering the position per file instead of following the last-used monitor or the monitor from which the file is opened (like Outlook). This can feel inconsistent, especially in multi-monitor setups.


    Would you mind answering couple of questions, for a better understanding?

    • Did this start happening right after a Reader update or Windows update? If so, please share the version of the Acorbat Reader application you are using? Go to Help > About Acrobat and try updating it to the recent version via Help > Check for updates and reboot the computer once.

    • Are all affected users on the same Reader version?

    • Does the issue happen only when opening from Outlook, or also when opening files directly from File Explorer?

    • Please share a small video recording of the steps you are taking and the issue as it occurs for more clarity and further investigation by product team.

    In the meantime, please try the steps listed below and see if that works for you:

    • Try toggling between “Open PDFs in new tabs in the same window” vs separate windows: Go to Preferences (Ctrl,Cmd+K) > General > Uncheck/check ‘Open documents as new tab in same window’ and reboot the app once.

    • Ensure Reader is not running in the background when testing (close from Task Manager if needed)

    • Try launching Reader first on the desired monitor, then open PDFs

    • Check Windows settings: Settings > System > Display > Multiple Displays > “Remember window locations based on monitor connection” is ON


    Let us know how it goes. 


    ~Amal

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