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Adobe opening minimized pdfs when opening a new pdf

Forum|Forum|1 year ago
July 24, 2025
3 replies
432 views

I see this issue has been posted about a few time over the years but there is either no resolution posted or it's reported as a bug.

If I have a pdf minimized and open a new pdf, it maximizes the minimized pdf, which results in me having to again minimize the pdf. This is very annoying when opening alot of pdfs.

Also, I do not have option open documents as new tabs in the same window option selected. Each pdf I open is a seperate window.

Thanks for any help in fixing this.

Correct answer ls_rbls

Hi @balanced_mind0168 ,

++Adding to the discussion

This is expected behavior in Adobe Acrobat when tabbed document interface is disabled. With "Open documents as new tabs" unchecked, Acrobat operates in Single Document Interface (SDI) mode.

As @Meenakshi_Negi asked earlier, Could you please confirm which exact version of Acrobat you are using and on which operating system? Thank you!

HERE’S MORE CONTEXT:

PDF Portfolios were designed as "wrappers" for final distribution. Adobe's user interface (UI) logic prioritizes the Portfolio as the master document in SDI mode. With tabs enabled, Multiple Document Interface (MDI mode), Acrobat treats each file as independent and the issue disappears.

Recommend enabling tabs (MDI mode) unless there's a specific business requirement to keep SDI mode.

In SDI mode: Only one main application window is permitted.PDF Portfolios are treated as the primary document window. Opening a second PDF forces Acrobat to restore/activate the existing window (the Portfolio) before loading the new file.

Root Cause: "Open documents as new tabs" is disabled, forcing Acrobat into Single Document Interface (SDI) mode. In SDI: Acrobat permits only one primary document windowed Portfolio is treated as the active primary window. Opening any external PDF forces Acrobat to restore the Portfolio first, then attempt to load the new file.

SUGGESTED RESOLUTION:

Option 1: Re-enable Tabs (Recommended - 30 second fix)

Edit > Preferences > General Check "Open documents as new tabs in the same window “, Click OK and restart Acrobat

Result: Portfolio stays minimized. New PDFs open as tabs and can be dragged out to separate windows

Option 2: Keep SDI Mode, Change Workflow - If user must keep tabs disabled for operational reasons:

Close Portfolio completely before opening external PDFs - do not minimize.

Extract files from Portfolio for daily work: Open Portfolio > View > Portfolio > View files in List > Right-click > Extract Files

Use File > Open within Acrobat instead of double-clicking files in Explorer to reduce window focus issues

ls_rbls

Correct answer

Community Expert

Hi @balanced_mind0168 ,

++Adding to the discussion

This is expected behavior in Adobe Acrobat when tabbed document interface is disabled. With "Open documents as new tabs" unchecked, Acrobat operates in Single Document Interface (SDI) mode.

As @Meenakshi_Negi asked earlier, Could you please confirm which exact version of Acrobat you are using and on which operating system? Thank you!

HERE’S MORE CONTEXT:

PDF Portfolios were designed as "wrappers" for final distribution. Adobe's user interface (UI) logic prioritizes the Portfolio as the master document in SDI mode. With tabs enabled, Multiple Document Interface (MDI mode), Acrobat treats each file as independent and the issue disappears.

Recommend enabling tabs (MDI mode) unless there's a specific business requirement to keep SDI mode.

In SDI mode: Only one main application window is permitted.PDF Portfolios are treated as the primary document window. Opening a second PDF forces Acrobat to restore/activate the existing window (the Portfolio) before loading the new file.

Root Cause: "Open documents as new tabs" is disabled, forcing Acrobat into Single Document Interface (SDI) mode. In SDI: Acrobat permits only one primary document windowed Portfolio is treated as the active primary window. Opening any external PDF forces Acrobat to restore the Portfolio first, then attempt to load the new file.

SUGGESTED RESOLUTION:

Option 1: Re-enable Tabs (Recommended - 30 second fix)

Edit > Preferences > General Check "Open documents as new tabs in the same window “, Click OK and restart Acrobat

Result: Portfolio stays minimized. New PDFs open as tabs and can be dragged out to separate windows

Option 2: Keep SDI Mode, Change Workflow - If user must keep tabs disabled for operational reasons:

Close Portfolio completely before opening external PDFs - do not minimize.

Extract files from Portfolio for daily work: Open Portfolio > View > Portfolio > View files in List > Right-click > Extract Files

Use File > Open within Acrobat instead of double-clicking files in Explorer to reduce window focus issues

Technical Generalist

B

balanced_mind0168Author

Participating Frequently

Thanks for the detailed reply. A few things here. First, this is not how Adobe has historically behaved and only started with me since close to the time of my original post. My main use of Adobe is comparing work scope, drawings, procedures, etc. which means any pdf I have open is typically being compared to another pdf next to it and I’ve been using Adobe for these tasks for about 13 years and again, this just started around the time of my first post. I’ve ALWAYS had the option to open pdfs in the same tab disabled for the reason detailed above (document comparison).

Not sure why or what the change was but it is unfortunate to say the least.

All of the options you lay out require more effort than before. Open in the same window then click and drag out, right click and then open with Adobe vs just double clicking, etc. It all means a slower process which has an significant impact when you are comparing dozens of pdfs daily. Again, unfortunate because Adobe was one of the few programs that seemed to work pretty flawlessly in my opinion and was changed for a reason that I cannot imagine.

I was using Excel and it reminded me that it operates in this manner as well, minimize a document, open a new one and it maximizes/open both resulting in you having to re-minimize the first one again. Never made sense to me for that program and less for Adobe.

ls_rbls

Community Expert

Thanks for the detailed reply. A few things here. First, this is not how Adobe has historically behaved and only started with me since close to the time of my original post. My main use of Adobe is comparing work scope, drawings, procedures, etc. which means any pdf I have open is typically being compared to another pdf next to it and I’ve been using Adobe for these tasks for about 13 years and again, this just started around the time of my first post. I’ve ALWAYS had the option to open pdfs in the same tab disabled for the reason detailed above (document comparison).

Not sure why or what the change was but it is unfortunate to say the least.

I feel you @balanced_mind0168 , my angle was emphasizing when working with binded documents, such as PDF portfolios.

Maybe I misunderstood your requirement completely.

For clarity, are you confirming that for the past 13 years you've been able to work with PDF portfolios (for example, a "binder.pdf" file with the "Open documents as new tabs" preference disabled?

If yes, please disregard my earlier reply.

Technical Generalist

B

balanced_mind0168Author

Participating Frequently

Any update on this? To answer your question, yes it opens both pdfs at the same time.

Anand Sri Bhattacharya

Community Manager

Hello @balanced_mind0168

I hope you are doing well, and thanks for reaching out. Sorry for the trouble.

Can you please install the latest build of Acrobat Version: 26.001.21563. Planned update, May 18, 2026. Check for any pending updates by navigating to Menu > Help> Check for Updates. Install the updates, restart the app and the machine, and try again.

If the issue still continues, can you please share a clean recording of the complete workflow and the issue? Also, collect the logs while reproducing the issue, and share them with us for further investigations. To collect the logs, please check this article: https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/acrobat-diagnostics.html

Regards,

Anand Sri.

B

balanced_mind0168Author

Participating Frequently

I’m already on the latest update. Recording this action with windows snipping tool is difficult for some reason but will attempt to do so but it is very “simple” problem. I have a pdf open, I minimize the pdf, I then open another pdf and both pdf are opened and maximized. This means I have to again minimize the first pdf again.

For the diagnostics, in step 1 I don’t have the hamburger menu. I’ve gone to help and there is no troubleshooting option. For step 2, again I don’t have hamburger menu but I’ve gone to preferences but there is no enable troubleshooting option.

Am I seriously the only person that has this issue?

Meenakshi_Negi

Legend

Hi balanced_mind0168,

Thank you for reaching out, and sorry about the trouble caused.

Please share the screenshot of the Preferences window with the General category and the Acrobat version currently in use.

Also, please share the screen recording of the behavior you mentioned above when opening a new PDF. We will check if this is a designed behavior or a bug.

Ensure that you are using the latest version of the application. You may refer to the following help document for more information on the latest updates: https://adobe.ly/46qmByL.

Feel free to let us know if you have any questions or need help.

Thanks,

Meenakshi

B

balanced_mind0168Author

Participating Frequently

Thanks for the prompt reply. After doing some troubleshooting the issue actually seems to be that it will "pull" the first pdf to the front of the screen. Example, if I have a folder or screen open and click to open a new pdf, the pdf in the background will come to the front along with the newly opened one. Attaching video and requested information.

Adobe3.zip

Meenakshi_Negi

Legend

Hi balanced_mind0168 ,

Thank you for sharing the video.

Please confirm if it opens both PDFs simultaneously, as they appear in the recording. It seems confusing. Could you please share the screen recording of the complete window, as it is not clear in the recording you have shared.

Thanks,

Meenakshi

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