AcroCEF consumes all memory and CPU resources whenever Acrobat DC is launched. What is this process, and how can it be turned off?

I should mention that Acrobat DC is being run in compatibility mode for Windows XP Service Pack 3, and as an administrator, both as suggested by similar posts in these forums.

Running Windows 7 Professional SP1, on a Dell OptiPlex 745 with Intel Core2 Duo CPUs (E7500@2.93GHz each) with 4GB of RAM, configured as a 64-bit system.

Earlier versions of Acrobat did not have this problem.

Even without a single PDF file open, AcroCEF expands its hold on memory and CPU until eventually it consumes 2GB and crashes. In the process it also expands the memory footprint of Acrobat DC and slows the entire station down to a crawl. Once CEF crashes it will simply start again. If Acrobat is closed, the CEF process continues until it crashes. I now keep task manager open at all times, and limit use of Acrobat to the least possible time, during which I periodically end the CEF process tree to avoid a system stall. As soon as I close out of Acrobat, I end the CEF process tree again. Even after CEF crashes, DC continues to consume more memory until it also maxes out at half of the physical RAM.

Acrobat has gone from a critical part of my workflow to a system hazard to be avoided at all costs. All because of DC and its worm-like CEF process. I've reinstalled Acrobat twice (full removal-reinstall). Despite having paid a subscription for Acrobat, I am looking for other PDF editors that are less damaging to the system.

What is this process, and how can I avoid launching it?