InDesign 21.4.1 freezes when opening INDD files by double-click if the Pages panel was active when the application was closed
I'm experiencing a reproducible issue with Adobe InDesign 21.4.1 on Windows 11.
Environment:
- Windows 11
- Adobe InDesign 21.4.1
- Single monitor
Issue:
If InDesign is closed while the Pages panel is the active panel, opening any .indd file by double-clicking it in Windows Explorer causes InDesign to freeze during startup.
The loading cursor continues indefinitely and the document never opens.
However, if I launch InDesign first and then use File > Open, the same document opens normally.
What I tested:
- The issue also occurs with a brand new test.indd file.
- It is not related to a specific document.
- Resetting InDesign preferences temporarily fixes the issue.
- Other panels (Layers, Links, Transform, etc.) can be moved or docked without causing the problem.
- If I close InDesign with the Properties panel active instead of the Pages panel, double-click opening works normally.
- Simply displaying the Pages panel before closing InDesign causes the issue to return, even without saving the workspace.
Steps to reproduce:
1. Reset InDesign preferences.
2. Launch InDesign.
3. Make the Pages panel the active tab.
4. Close InDesign.
5. Double-click any .indd file in Windows Explorer.
6. InDesign freezes during startup.
Workaround:
Close InDesign while another panel (such as Properties) is active instead of the Pages panel.
Has anyone else experienced this issue?
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