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Answered

Choosing between the current and previous Acrobat interfaces

Forum|Forum|3 years ago
June 22, 2023
351 replies
220626 views

Why? Why do you "creators" feel a need to completely change the layout of toolbars, etc. in a program?! Do you have nothing to do so you just search out what you can do to aggravate us? Adobe Acrobat DC is now TOTALLY different in the toolbar layouts! WHY???

Correct answer BaniVerma

Hi all,

How do I switch between the current and previous Acrobat interfaces?
Acrobat lets you choose between the current and previous (classic) interface, so you can use whichever fits your workflow (where the option is supported in your version).

Switch to the previous (classic) interface:

Windows: Menu (hamburger, upper-left) > Disable new Acrobat
macOS: View > Disable new Acrobat

When prompted, select Restart to relaunch Acrobat in the previous interface. To return, select View > Enable new Acrobat and restart again.
Reference: https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/desktop/get-started/preferences-and-settings/switch-new-acrobat.html

Don't see "Disable new Acrobat"?
The option depends on your Acrobat version. First, update to the latest release: Menu > Help > Check for updates, then restart Acrobat and look again.

Why does Acrobat offer two interfaces?
The current experience groups tools into workflow-based categories (editing, commenting, signing, organizing, and sharing) to make common tasks easier to find across desktop, web, and mobile.
Adobe continues to refine the experience and provides the option to switch between the current and previous interfaces where supported.

Reference: https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/learn-new-acrobat.html

Thanks,

^BS

Show previous replies

A

Anonymous

I generally like new versions in every apps but really dislike this new Adobe reader. I really appreciate developers effort to bring us something new, but after some time trying it I happily reverted back.

JobMcKee

Participant

I already didn't care for these changes, but they're especially confusing to older folk who might use computers. One user thought they were still in Firefox, presumably because of the prominent tabs lining the top of the window, you know, like a BROWSER. Thank you for the option to go back to the old Reader.

morrisonvp9

Participant

For what it's worth, I HATE the layout changes Adobe made to Acrobat Pro, and I find it incredibly stupid to not give users the flexibility to choose their own layout.

Did I mention I HATE the layout changes?!

LarryDDavis

Participant

I heartily agree - they broke what workflow I have developed to be productive. Thank you and to others that gave me the proper tools to reset to the classic menus.

S

Shakti Infinite

Participant

I couldn't agree with you more. This version is horrible

D

David35187565eaf7

Participant

Agreed! I cant stand the new layout they pushed out! At least give us the opportunity to revert to the classic layout! Honestly (cursing removed)

kglad

Community Expert

@David35187565eaf7

you can:

mac: view > disable new acrobat

win: hamburger menu (upper left) > disable new acrobat

M

Martin24483200eus3

Participating Frequently

Hi,

I would like to report that the Thumbnails formerly present in the PDF Portfolio are missing. The portfolio is now represented just as a list.

After switching to the old UI, the thumbnail pan appears on the left side as it used to be, however, it shows only PDF icons, not the actual thumbnails.

Also, notice that in the new "list" GUI the files are opened separately in a new tab. When you switch to the old GUI you can browse through the files seamlessly, all switching within one tab. That is a crucial feature! I cannot emphasize this more!

Adobe, stand by your claims that all workflows and functionalities retain their quality! Restore the powerful functionality of the PDF Portfolio. It is now completely impaired.

Thanks,

Martin Jezek

cflnest

Inspiring

The "Modern" Acrobat interface inflicted itself on me today. Very thankful for the comprehensive GUI interface reset instructions.

The new page navigation panel is so tiny that I couldn't locate it at first. Placing the navigation controls off to the side is inefficient—forcing the user to look away from the document body!

Once again, I've sent my feedback to Adobe. Trying to maintain hope that someday the Acrobat interface will improve...

D

Drew3500556459fr

Participant

I'm not sure why I am just now getting the update but I use Acrobat almost every day for work and this is HORRIBLE. Thankfully, this can be turned off. This comes from people who are programmers, not users. They don't consider the fact that people have spent years customizing a workflow that works for them and these programmers and managers have to justify their existence to upper management somehow. Just make a program that works, that's customizeable and don't push updates that change it. The change should be the option, NOT changing it BACK to how it was. Why doesn't Acrobat work on something like not making the program such a memory hog? Quit trying to make it do everything. Pick something and be great at it, not good at some, mediocre at other, and terrible for the rest.

A

Alpna309012444wnu

Participant

Thank god for this thread!! The hamburger and disable worked!

The new interface threw me off yesterday.

G

gene-bean

Participant

To: reginal

I hear your frustration. I feel exactally the same way. I was feeling that I was just old and grumpy and was an old dog that didn't want to learn any new tricks. I am extremelly bussy and I you Acrobate a lot then when they change it on the fly it really disrups my work flow. I don't have the time to fiddly around with things. I am happy though a solution was posted.

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