Adobe PDF's missing from "Recent Items" in outlook

[davidm98010882]

If you open PDF files from within the Adobe internal file explorer the files will not show up under “recent files” when you try to attach in Outlook.   In outlook when you click “insert”, “Attach File” then look under “Recent Items” the list shows all recently opened items EXCEPT pdf’s.   (All PDF’s are missing)   This issue was a problem a couple of years ago but this seems to be a very recent change or issue. 

Cause (as I’ve identified it)

If you open the PDF using windows explorer instead the files do appear in the recent file list.  (see below)

After opening from Windows Explorer the file shows up in recent items list

[Tariq Ahmad · Accepted solution]

Hi all, 

This is to update that the issue has been fixed. Please check the release notes, here: https://adobe.ly/3IsKbkB;

Ensure your copy of Acrobat is updated, to check for any pending updates, launch Acrobat > Help > Check For Updates. 

Let us know how it works. 


Best regards,
Tariq | Adobe Community Team

[EDITMICRO]

Still not working for me - did the update. I will try a restart and see if that helps 

[Gavin31332558259u]

Well, I can confirm this is NOT working in Build 25.1.20630.0 as of 09.18.2025

My last saved recent file was 09;17.2025 but nothing appears since then.

Checking for updates returns the following error

Cannot connect to Adobe Update Server.

Please verify you are connected to the Internet...

Error: 1041

Well, obviously I am connected otherwise I wouldn't be typing this! 

This is an issue that has been reported for a long time now with no practical resolution.

What an absolute joke! Sort yourselves out Adobe! If this is the way you continue to treat your valued users you should be ashamed of yourselves.

[Becky334494209ioj]

25.001.20693 is installed.  No updates availalble when I check.  Rebooted and still not working...

[samie_8974]

mine shows I'm on the latest version but it is still not showing my recent files. This is especially frustrating when I'm trying to add it to an email, it's not on the recent file list and I've clicked 10 subfolders deep to save it. 

[M_A_K_]

I checked for updates and found that there are none available. But it is still not working for me.

[allenc71]

Same here on 25.001.20693. No updates available, and adobe saved as not appearing in outlook recent items

[allenc71]

t's frustrating having to navigate to the folder where I just saved the PDF file, instead of attaching it directly from the Recent Items list.
As a temporary workaround, I’ve set the default PDF viewer to a free alternative.
Once the issue is resolved, I’ll revert the default back to Adobe Reader.

[analytical_Laughter5721]

Still have users experiencing this issue after update and restart as of 9/18/25

[Jordan39050363zaje]

I checked for updates, but there weren't any. It's possible that it auto-updated, so I restarted my computer. The issue is not fixed yet for me.

[piotr_4904]

Fix doesn't work for me. Updated yesterday to the newest version, checked after reboot and it still occurs.
Any PDF saved with Adobe Acrobat does not show up in Outlook “Recently Used Files”.
It appears only when you open file directly from folder.
In my case I just want to sign document and attach it to new mail in Outlook, by clicking it from recently used list, but it's not possible now.

[wardprobrady]

Hey, Tariq! I'm adding to the dozens of replies letting you know that Acrobat DC update 25.001.20693 still doesn't add to the recently used files list for Windows and Outlook classic of Microsoft 365.

[PrettyPup56]

 V(25.001.20693) 32bit Pro- Still not working

[EDITMICRO]

Its so sad and disappointing that its now a whole month gone and Adobe hasn't resolved this issue 😞

[Ihor_6159]

Hello Adobe Team,

We have tested the latest Acrobat version (2025.001.20693), and unfortunately, the bug is still not fixed.

Moreover, I checked the release notes for recent versions and did not find this issue listed among the known bugs.

Let me remind you about the issue:
When opening a PDF attachment from Outlook (it will be opened in Acrobat window), editing the file (for example, adding a digital signature), and then saving the edited file As to a user’s folder or Onedrive (no matter, every location in PC), this file does not appear in the recent files list in Outlook.

I kindly ask you to add this bug to the list of known issues, as a large number of users are affected.
This problem first appeared in late August and has persisted through the latest release.
Older versions of Acrobat work correctly with Outlook and Windows.

[rpicat.apsah]

Bonjour,

Le problème est toujours présent malgrès l'installation de la dernière mise à jour.

Dans l'attente d'un retour de l'équipe adobe reader.

[ITJoe]

Our employees at our company are all experiencing this issue as well, as of the last two weeks, exact same symptoms that all others are reporting.

[Becky334494209ioj]

Would love to see some ackowledgement from Adobe that all the comments about the 'fix' not working have been recieved and that this problem is still activiely being worked on.  Frustration level is at an all time high with how long this issue has gone unresolved as my work life is drastically affected every. single. day.

[brynn_3323]

Our users are still having issues when Creating a PDF and scanning from their desk scanners. They do Save As and it still is not showing in the attachment list in Outlook.

[nhatnguyen1109]

Hi Adobe Team,

Any update for this problem ?
I am currently using the highest version but it still has errors, it causes many inconveniences when using.

Your feedback is appreciated.

Thanks,

[LisaLee12345]

I don't know if this will help you, but the workaround I found is to go to print instead of save/save as. Where you pick a printer, choose to "print" to pdf instead. Then you just save it wherever you normally would. For me, doing it this way brings it up in recents.

[DeadProgram]

@Tariq Ahmad latest available version 25.001.20693 does not fix this.

[Emily_Atkins4922]

I have actually had this same issue at work. I send a ton of emails daily and this has made work productivity very slow. I can still look up the pdf from my files by searching this PC but other than that, the recent pdf files no longer exist on the drop down menu for attaching a file on Outlook. It seems it has been since the Adobe update, I manually updated Adobe and ever since this issue has persisted with no changes as of 9-3-25. 

[Becky334494209ioj]

My productivity has definitely taken a hit as well.  Hope they find a fix soon!

[angelica_2846]

I have been experiencing this issue as well and it began on 08/22/25. Eagerly awaiting a fix.