Adobe Acrobat is by far the worst program I've ever used

Melden · Nov 17, 2021

Updated almost weekly with minial feature advancements or performance improvements in sight, this horrific tool needs a re-write.

I cannot believe the industry tolerate such garbage.

Melden · Nov 17, 2021

Thank you for this constructive and argued message.

Acrobate du PDF, InDesigner et Photoshopographe

Melden · Nov 04, 2024

Is this the answer that is chosen to be the right? The program is utterly flawed and Adobe should re-write it from the ground. Look up Bluebeam, that's is actually ok to use.
This forum with all the Adobe boot licking experts....

Melden · Jul 15, 2022

I could not agree more - I am paying $14.99 twice a month for what? Two programs that barely work and slow my PC down to preJurassic levels!!!! Where is the replacement - this is useless!

Melden · Oct 10, 2025

Adobe really is the perfect example of a company that doesn't give a sh t.

Their program used to work wonderfully, now it's bloated, slow, with confusing menus and submenus, duplicative functions that are (despite there being two of them) hard to locate for simple tasks, and on and on.

And they have the absolute, unmitigated gall to charge customers and raise rates continuously.

Every Adobe employee should be ashamed.

Melden · Sep 01, 2023

2023, Still trash.

Editing forms or having to create anything in this program OTHER than one text box or siginiture field for signing is atoricous.

Melden · Sep 01, 2023

Try reverting to the "classic" user interface instead of the new 2023 "modern viewer" (as Adobe likes to call it).

Instructions are here:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/acrobat-discussions/acrobat-2023-how-to-revert-to-classic-gui-user-in...

Lots of complaints here that the new interface has some missing functions and quite a few bugs.

Melden · Sep 13, 2023

It's 2023, I just got an update yesterday after all this time.

It is actually far worse. It crashes 3 times as much. Which is pretty much every time I open it now. I just have to make sure I save constantly before it does. It is the only program on my laptop and PC that does this.

Thank God for the protection of these failed monopolies by the Nanny state of America.

Melden · Sep 13, 2023

Hi @Trolly32259550hdgx

I'm really sorry to hear that you're facing issues with Adobe Acrobat DC. It can be frustrating when technology doesn't cooperate. Let's work together to try and resolve this.

Firstly, could you clarify if this issue is specific to one particular PDF file or if it's affecting all the PDFs you're trying to open? Testing with a different PDF might help us understand the scope of the problem.

Also, could you please confirm the version of Adobe Acrobat DC you're using? To do this, go to the Help menu and select About Acrobat. Make sure you have the most recent version, which should be 23.06.20320. If not, you can check for updates through Help > Check for updates and then restart your computer.

For Windows users, you can attempt to repair the installation from the help menu. Unfortunately, this option is not available on Mac. If you're on a Windows system, give it a try.

In addition, resetting Acrobat preferences can sometimes resolve issues. You can follow the steps outlined in this link: How to reset Acrobat preference settings to default.

If the problem persists, you might want to consider creating a new test user profile on Windows with full admin rights or enabling the root account on Mac. This can help determine if the issue is user-specific or system-wide.

Please try these steps and let us know how it goes. We're here to assist you further if needed.

Your feedback will help us narrow down the problem and find a solution.

~Amal

Melden · Mar 27, 2024

Dude, it is pure unadultrated garbage, hire a QA department. And if you have a QA department fire every single one of them. And if you are developing this thing with Agile, that's why it is badly broken, switch to Waterfall, it works.

Melden · Jan 13, 2025

Adobe don't care. Like every tech company, they're focused on the latest gimmick, not R & D, so they can bilk their customers before moving on to the next gimmick.

It'll be nice when these tech corporations fail under the weight of their own bad decisions.

Melden · Feb 17, 2024

I agree with this assesment. I thought Adobe invented teh PDF. Have some pride.

Take a look at Bluebeam and see how you can improve.

Melden · Mar 22, 2024

Random locking of files with out a clue as to what password must be used, no reset no forgot password. It is the standard and will not improve for us lowlifes.

Congratulations Adobe

Melden · Mar 26, 2024

Hi there

Adobe Acrobat doesn't apply password protection by itself.

Would you mind sharing more details about the issue you are experiencing? A small video recording of the steps you are doing would be very helpful.

What is the version of the Acrobat DC you are using? To check the version go to Help > About Acrobat and make sure you have the recent version 24.01.20615 installed. Go to Help > Check for updates and reboot the computer once.

Also try to repair the installation from the help menu (Win Only) and see if that works.

Please try to reset the Acrobat preferences as described here https://community.adobe.com/t5/acrobat-discussions/how-to-reset-acrobat-preference-settings-to-defau... and see if that helps.

Let us know how it goes.

~Amal

Melden · Mar 27, 2024

I've been writing software for 40 years, I've never seen a program with more bugs, ever. It is damn near impossible to use.

Does Adobe even have a single QA resource? Even one? I suspect not!

Melden · Apr 29, 2024

Couldn't agree more. This garbage is an insult to the concept of computer programing. I use it because I have no choice. Everything I use it for, I get it done, then never ever interact with it again.

Melden · Sep 19, 2024

Totally agree. Trying to do exams on it and every time I try to save it crashes....work all gone. Bought the Pro version..no better. Won't even allow me to upload phots of the pop ups..... Utter garbage

Melden · Nov 07, 2024

Dear Adobe:

Clearly a lot of us have typed in nearly OP's exact title into a search out of utter frustration and incredulity that this program could be so consistently terrible in both design and function, year after year after year. It truly is both bewildering and impressive to make such absolute garbage and charge such a ridiculous amount of money for it, as if you are actually providing something that works. Stop pretending that you're trying to do a good job, it's obvious that you're not! Most of the updates are tiny, and sometimes you rearrange the UI in an attempt to make users feel like you are doing stuff and therefore justify the cost. We are laughing at you as soon as we stop crying.

I don't believe in ghosts, but using Acrobat for years has really challenged that because your software must be haunted. It is constantly behaving in inconsistent and unpredictable ways, almost like some poltergeist is in there mucking around. As a company, maybe it's time to take a good look in the mirror and realize that the whole "fake it till you make it" thing really doesn't work as an entire business model. Do us a favor and die so something worthy can grow out of your bug-ridden corpse. Byeeeeee

Melden · Nov 11, 2024

@You make bad software, I'm not Adobe. Just a users like you.

Did you try reverting to the classic interface in your version of Acrobat Pro?

For both Mac and Windows, the instructions are at https://community.adobe.com/t5/acrobat-discussions/acrobat-2023-how-to-revert-to-classic-gui-user-in...

Melden · Nov 12, 2024

Hi Bevi,

I don't see how my post and your response to it are connected. Please elaborate as to how reverting to the classic interface would relate to my post.

Thank you!

Melden · Feb 09, 2025

At first, I thought, well, maybe you just need to get used to this program and its functions, just like I had to learn how to use PCB design software, Autodesk, etc. But now that I’m reading these posts... DAMN, this program is the worst thing I’ve ever seen in my life. First, I used that (cursing removed) program InDesign to create a layout, which took me a few days—just for a very SIMPLE layout. Now that I have that, I’m faced with junk that ain’t able to do! Every function in that program is absolutely stupid. I feel ashamed that this was made by humans—this program is an insult to our race! Everyone who was involved in Acrobat should get lifetime imprisonment!

[Abuse removed by moderator]

Melden · Feb 09, 2025

This is the first and last time I’m using Adobe! I feel sorry for the people who paid for this!

Melden · Apr 02, 2025

Please share the alternative. As a business owner, I have to sign and send pdfs all the time. But it is barely usable, mainly because it doesn't recognize me as a subscriber, won't download the app to my pc, and can't load my documents without offering me a free trial every time (even though I pay monthly.) I've been looking for reliable information on another program, without luck.

Melden · Apr 02, 2025

FoxIt Pdf editor and Bluebeam are pdf editors that actually work. Try these.

Melden · Jul 27, 2025

Experiencing the exact same problems as everyone else on this forum. A technical manual I had been writing for two day suddenly took the liberty of reformatting all the text and eliminating letters that it didn't like(?). Was going to buy the Creative Cloud but after this that will be a hard NO!. Disgustingly slow, switching between the tool sets are a pain and slow of course. I have time to post this because it's waiting to post text that I wrote 3 minutes ago.