adobe standard/pro context menu trying to use reader

[Staci3]

we have a lot of adobe std/pro users in range of 1,600 assigned users, we are starting to see issues where context menu items like 'convert to PDF' on office files are failing, Combine function is bringing up reader even thought they are licensed to std or pro.  this started after installing adobe update yesterday.    all the normal defaults for file types appear to be set.

[andre_0582]

Can confirm. Similar setup. Only began with ver 25.001.20630. Issue was not present in 25.001.20474. Tested multiple devices on Win 11. Only right click context menu appears to be affected with functions "combine pdfs, edit with, share with".  Adobe Pro license is active and users are signed in correctly. All functions inside Adobe Pro work correctly once the PDF is opened. Can still combine pdfs inside Adobe Pro > combine > select files  Or having the pdfs already opened in tabs and then combining. Default file type set correctly. Attempted repair install. Attempted uninstall/reinstall. No errors. Tested with both local files and network shared/OneDrive.

[Staci3]

in my case we are in pilot for updates so very few to test with at moment, i have 3 or 4 presently with issue.  i have a feeling the acrocef needds to be registered, waiting on test subject.  copilot suggests  

[regsvr32 "C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Acrobat DC\Acrobat Elements\ContextMenu64.dll"]   

i could be very wrong on this.  

[Meenakshi Negi]

Hi Staci3 and andre_0582,

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

Could you please share the screen recording of the workflow and what happens? Please also collect the log using the diagnostic tool and share the log ID with us. We will get the logs checked. Also, please share the OS version on the machine.

More information will help to investigate this behavior.

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

Thanks,

Meenakshi

[Staci3]

i can try to get a screen recording, with elevated security stance i would need more time to plan around this 

 a1fa35b1-5a3e-4d3b-af7d-cd653fc5a1f3

win 11 ent

acrobat.exe ver 25.1.20623.0

we get RdrCEF.exe instances instead of AcroCEF.exe showing in processes in task manager when selecting combine files from context menu, combine works within the app just not context menu.  

[marshall_0562]

To address the issue of the Adobe Reader context menu being overridden by Acrobat Standard/Pro, the best approach is to ensure that Acrobat Reader is set as the default PDF viewer and to manage the context menu entries. If you have both Acrobat and Reader installed, prioritize making Acrobat Reader your default. You can also disable specific Adobe context menu entries using the Registry Editor or tools like CCleaner. 

[mike00001]

We are seeing the same issue, Windows 10 and users are on Adobe Acrobat 25.001.20630 with Adobe Acrobat Reader 25.001.20531 or Adobe Acrobat Reader 25.001.20577.

When trying right click and "Combine file in Acrobat" from Windows Explorer it'll open in Adobe Reader even with Acrobat set as default. Issue starts right after Acrobat 25.001.20630 installs. 

[tcbep2]

We're seeing the same issue.

[mike00001]

For anyone not wanting to wait for Adobe to relase an update to fix this, I found replacing C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Acrobat DC\Acrobat Elements\ContextMenu64.dll with the ContextMenu64.dll from the pervious version 25.001.20577 fixed everyone so far.

[andre_0582]

I would give you more upvotes if possible. Instead, I'll owe you a 6 pack. Confirmed fix.

[Staci3]

much gratitude from the OP, like andre_0582 i also owe you a 6 pack 

[Genc35907989ycix]

How do you do that though ?

[Meenakshi Negi]

Hi Staci3  and all,

Thank you for sharing the log ID. The issue has been reported to the team and they are investigation this issue. We will update you once the fix is available.

We appreciate your patience.

Thanks,

Meenakshi

[Staci3]

any updaes on this?

[PravalJain · Accepted solution]

This issue has been fixed in the latest release. Refer to Release notes at: https://www.adobe.com/devnet-docs/acrobatetk/tools/ReleaseNotesDC/continuous/dccontinuousaug2025qfe2.... Please update both Acrobat & Reader to the latest version and do let us know if you still see this issue. 

[Eager_Breeze8958]

Where can I get a copy of this .dll if my previous one is already overwritten?

[Staci3]

that depends on your enviroment, in my case i am on coroporate newtwork and mine hadnt updated also i had access to the all corp devices so i could have snagged old copy from any active device  or.  you could look for original installer then uninstall and install with old adobe installer 

[Genc35907989ycix]

Can you upload the file and share the link with us ? I am enterprise plan so it will probably work. 

[Staci3]

it wont allow me to upload a dll so i had to change the ext