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Kerc
Kerc
Inspiring
November 6, 2019
Answered

Adobe Collaboration Synchronizer

  • November 6, 2019
  • 3 replies
  • 91760 views

Hello,

Adobe Collaboration Synchronizer seems to prevent me from moving Acrobat(PDF) files right after I opened then, and than closed them. I get the message that "it's still in use with another program". But it's closed - no program open!

I have to either completely reboot or via task manager end the process "Adobe Collaboration Synchronizer"

Only then can I move an AcrobatPDF\ file.

Very anoying!

Is there a way to eliminate Adobe Collaboration Synchronizer permanently without jeopardizing functionality of Adobe?

 

 

    Correct answer Sum1

    AdobeCollabSync.exe seems to lock random files - even if I didn't touch those files or open the Adobe app in the current session. I use the Adobe cloud syncing which I assume relies on AdobeCollabSync.exe, so I don't want to permanently disable it. Instead, I have a batch file on my desktop which runs the following command:

    taskkill /im AdobeCollabSync.exe /f

    So whenever I run into locked files, I just double-click the batch file, and the problem goes away - until the next time I use the Adobe app or reboot. Strange that Adobe still hasn't fixed this.

    3 replies

    K
    khalid_ali_1017
    Participant
    May 3, 2025

    Hello,

    Adobe Collaboration Synchronizer seems to prevent me from moving Acrobat(PDF) files right after I opened then, and than closed them. I get the message that "it's still in use with another program". But it's closed - no program open!

    I have to either completely reboot or via task manager end the process "Adobe Collaboration Synchronizer"

    Only then can I move an AcrobatPDF\ file.

    Very anoying!

    Is there a way to eliminate Adobe Collaboration Synchronizer permanently without jeopardizing functionality of Adobe?

     

    P
    panorama2
    Participating Frequently
    September 28, 2025

    Adobe acrobat is a modern day zombie virus and more than likely spyware. It interferes with MS Office programs (especially Outlook), which are much more valuable than acrobat, and frequently spins out of control running up the CPU and memory . 

     

    Adobe knows it's toxic. We all know it. I have killed the process countless times in task manager, renamed the AdobeCollabSync.exe file several times (it's a known destructive process/virus). There are other threads here about renaming the exe file, but it comes back without my permission for updates. I've even gone into services and disabled a couple of acrobat services (switchboard and updater), but they're obviously doing a forced reinstall of the files if you use acrobat. There's no option to turn collaboration off. 

     

    In other words, Adobe wants it ruining your on your comupter (in this case Windows 10 Pro, and Win 11 Pro). I have to find another acrobat replacement. I'm slowly shifting over to Affinity software to dump photoshop, and the rest of the suite, and then I'm going to permanently wipe the Adobe scourge from all my computers, and metaphoricallly "salt the earth so nothing grows"...   Adobe is a foul scourge....

     

    I need limited PDF functionality now (I used to pay for pro level software) and I'm going to try a free replacement "PDF24 creator". It may not be as good or even a long term solution, but I need something else and getting Adobe off my computers will be worth it. I am disgusted how much trouble Acrobat and Adobe in general causes.

    P
    panorama2
    Participating Frequently
    September 28, 2025

    If you use windows, and you just want to read PDF files (though you can also create and do so much more), try PDF24. It's free.

     

    I just changed the PDF file association over to it and initially it's going to be fine, but I'll give it more time and make sure it too doesn't decide to become a virus. I downloaded it from the MS store, so I've got some faith that it's OK. If it helps me get all Adobe programs off my computers, that's what I want.

    S
    Sum1Correct answer
    Participant
    June 8, 2024

    AdobeCollabSync.exe seems to lock random files - even if I didn't touch those files or open the Adobe app in the current session. I use the Adobe cloud syncing which I assume relies on AdobeCollabSync.exe, so I don't want to permanently disable it. Instead, I have a batch file on my desktop which runs the following command:

    taskkill /im AdobeCollabSync.exe /f

    So whenever I run into locked files, I just double-click the batch file, and the problem goes away - until the next time I use the Adobe app or reboot. Strange that Adobe still hasn't fixed this.

      S_S
      Community Manager
      S_SCommunity Manager
      Community Manager
      December 23, 2024

      Hi @Sum1,

       

      Hope you are doing well.

       

      Thanks for letting us know what worked well. 

      Marking this as the correct answer for future users to use as a reference.


      -Souvik

      R
      ReactionAtWork
      Known Participant
      May 15, 2020

      Unfortunately, AdobeCollabSync.exe is one of Adobe's worst irritations. At work, we use software that regenerates PDFs frequently. However, on the second attempt at generation, the program says it cannot access the folder. This is despite the fact the PDF file was closed in Acrobat DC, and even Acrobat DC itself has been closed! A quick check in Windows Resource Monitor shows that AdobeCollabSync still has a handle on the file or folder [in the CPU tab, search for your file/folder name in the Associated Handles "Search Handles" box]. Stopping the AdobeCollabSync process in Windows Task Manager instantly allows our program to rewrite its PDF files again. The semi-permanent solution is simple:
      1) End the AdobeCollabSync process in the Details pane of Windows Task Manager.
      2) Go to C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Acrobat DC\Acrobat\ and rename AdobeCollabSync.exe to AdobeCollabSync-JUNK.exe.
      3) Click the Windows Start button, type Startup, and select Startup Apps. Turn off AdobeCollabSync.
      Note that if Acrobat DC receives an update, it will reinstate a new copy of AdobeCollabSync.exe, so you'll need to repeat the steps above.
      We have had no ill effects from suppressing this irritating process, so we can now happily generate our PDFs without Adobe Acrobat's historically poor file handling interfering with our work.

        A
        Ari_Carrillo
        Participant
        November 9, 2023

        Hello! I just wanted to thanks for the information, it is accurate I used to have the same irritating problem, then I followed the procedure, and now it works perfectly. Thank you so much for helping us. 

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