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clif_CROP
Inspiring
May 5, 2026
Answered

Save as Adobe PDF showing multiple instances under Print window > PDF

  • May 5, 2026
  • 3 replies
  • 92 views

On Mac, when using the Print command in any application and then selecting PDF at the bottom of the window to export a PDF, multiple instances of Save as Adobe PDF will show up due to old versions of the application hanging around after version updates. One of my Macs had 9 and another Mac had 3 instances showing. 

I tracked down that these live in a folder called PDF Services which is located:
Macintosh HD > Library > PDF Services
where you can remove the old ones or all if you’d like.

Would suggest Adobe clear these out during new installs. 

 

    Correct answer Meenakshi0101

    Hi clif_CROP,

     

    Here is the complete information:

     

    When Acrobat is updated or reinstalled over time on Mac OS, older Adobe PDF workflows may not always be removed automatically. As a result, multiple legacy workflows can remain in the PDF Services folder, which explains why several instances of “Save as Adobe PDF” can appear in the Print dialogue.

     

    Please try the following workaround. Try manually removing the outdated workflows from the /Library/PDF Services folder is a valid and safe solution:

     

    • Go to the following location: Macintosh HD > Library > PDF Services OR Macintosh HD > Users > <username> > Library > PDF Services.

    • You can delete only the older or duplicate Adobe PDF workflows, or

    • Remove all Adobe-related entries from that folder (Acrobat will recreate the correct one when needed).

     

    For Windows: 

    “Adobe PDF” is a virtual printer. Duplicate entries typically occur due to:

    • Multiple or incomplete Acrobat installations/upgrades
    • Old Adobe PDF printer drivers are not being removed

     

    You may try to remove duplicate printers:

    • Go to: Control Panel > Devices and Printers
    • Look for multiple Adobe PDF printers.
    • Right-click the duplicates > Remove device
    • Keep only one instance.

     

    Sometimes the printer disappears visually but still exists at the driver level. Try the following:

    • Go to: Control Panel > Devices and Printers
    • Click any printer > Print server properties (top bar)
    • Go to the Drivers tab
    • Look for Adobe PDF Converter
    • If multiple entries exist: Remove older versions (be cautious—ensure they’re not in use)

     

    Hope the information helps.

     

    Thanks,

    Meenakshi

     

    3 replies

    Meenakshi0101
    Community Manager
    Meenakshi0101Community ManagerCorrect answer
    Community Manager
    May 8, 2026

    Hi clif_CROP,

     

    Here is the complete information:

     

    When Acrobat is updated or reinstalled over time on Mac OS, older Adobe PDF workflows may not always be removed automatically. As a result, multiple legacy workflows can remain in the PDF Services folder, which explains why several instances of “Save as Adobe PDF” can appear in the Print dialogue.

     

    Please try the following workaround. Try manually removing the outdated workflows from the /Library/PDF Services folder is a valid and safe solution:

     

    • Go to the following location: Macintosh HD > Library > PDF Services OR Macintosh HD > Users > <username> > Library > PDF Services.

    • You can delete only the older or duplicate Adobe PDF workflows, or

    • Remove all Adobe-related entries from that folder (Acrobat will recreate the correct one when needed).

     

    For Windows: 

    “Adobe PDF” is a virtual printer. Duplicate entries typically occur due to:

    • Multiple or incomplete Acrobat installations/upgrades
    • Old Adobe PDF printer drivers are not being removed

     

    You may try to remove duplicate printers:

    • Go to: Control Panel > Devices and Printers
    • Look for multiple Adobe PDF printers.
    • Right-click the duplicates > Remove device
    • Keep only one instance.

     

    Sometimes the printer disappears visually but still exists at the driver level. Try the following:

    • Go to: Control Panel > Devices and Printers
    • Click any printer > Print server properties (top bar)
    • Go to the Drivers tab
    • Look for Adobe PDF Converter
    • If multiple entries exist: Remove older versions (be cautious—ensure they’re not in use)

     

    Hope the information helps.

     

    Thanks,

    Meenakshi

     

    C
    clif_CROPAuthor
    Inspiring
    May 7, 2026

    ​@Meenakshi0101 can you post a final comment to this thread so I can mark it Best answer please? Please include the MacOS path to the location the “Save as Adobe PDF” instances live, (Macintosh HD > Library > PDF Services) and if these are also be installed/duplicates on Windows add that location along with the note that users can delete any and all. THANKS

    Meenakshi0101
    Community Manager
    Meenakshi0101Community Manager
    Community Manager
    May 5, 2026

    Hi clif_CROP,

     

    Thank you for reaching out, and sorry to hear about your experience.

     

    When Acrobat is updated or reinstalled over time, older Adobe PDF workflows may not always be removed automatically. As a result, multiple legacy workflows can remain in the PDF Services folder, which explains why several instances of “Save as Adobe PDF” can appear in the Print dialogue.

     

    Please try the following workaround. Try manually removing the outdated workflows from the /Library/PDF Services folder is a valid and safe solution:

     

    • Go to Macintosh HD > Library > PDF Services

    • You can delete only the older or duplicate Adobe PDF workflows, or

    • Remove all Adobe-related entries from that folder (Acrobat will recreate the correct one when needed).

    You may share your suggestion on this with the product team directly via the following page: https://adobe.ly/4db8wH9. 

    We will also share the same with the team internally.

     

    Let us know if we can be of any help.

     

    Thanks,

    Meenakshi

    C
    clif_CROPAuthor
    Inspiring
    May 5, 2026

    Thanks ​@Meenakshi0101 yeah, I posted the location of the Save as Adobe PDFs after finding and removing all but the newest. I appreciate you sending along to the team. Since it's fixable easily I’ll just remove future versions if they appear but that would be great if clearing old ones could get included in future updates. 

    Meenakshi0101
    Community Manager
    Meenakshi0101Community Manager
    Community Manager
    May 6, 2026

    Hi clif_CROP,

     

    Sure! We will share it with the team. However, we suggest you share the same here as well: https://acrobat.uservoice.com/forums/590923-acrobat-for-windows-and-mac.

     

    Let us know if we can be of any further help.

     

    Thanks,

    Meenakshi

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