Adobe crashing when trying to open pdf's

killing adobe from task manager works too as a workaround. 

Yes, this issue has been showing up for several users recently, especially after certain Acrobat updates or Windows patches. The crash often happens when Acrobat tries to hook into Outlook or File Explorer previews.

A few fixes you can try:

• Disable “Preview PDFs in File Explorer” from Acrobat settings.

• Repair the installation from the Creative Cloud app instead of fully reinstalling.

• Clear temporary files under %AppData%\Adobe\Acrobat and restart.

• If your clients use antivirus with active file scanning, try excluding .pdf temporarily to test stability.

Using the Chrome extension is a decent workaround, though printing issues are common there. For those looking for lightweight viewing or media-based solutions, on demand can be a handy option when switching between creative tasks and document reviews.

@dylan_6263 Some have reported similar issues, this can sometimes be caused by outdated software, corrupted preferences, or conflicts with other applications. Since you didn't say what OS you are using on a PC, may it be Win10 or Win11 or worse, older than Win10! 

Besides reinstalling or restarting, one workaround is to disable Protected Mode at startup (under Preferences > Security (Enhanced)), which has helped some users regain stability. Also, make sure both Acrobat and your operating system are fully updated, as compatibility issues can trigger crashes. If the Chrome extension works but doesn’t print properly, you might try printing through Microsoft Edge, Firefox or another browser as a temporary fix.