How do I turn OFF the setting that automatically displays bookmarks when I open a file?

[Guest]

Every time I open a PDF file, the bookmarks panel is automatically displayed, and I have to take the extra step of closing it, because I do not use bookmarks. I see that there is an option to change how a particular PDF file opens, but most of the PDFs I work with are not saved, so I want to change the settings for Adobe so that it does NOT open every PDF with the bookmarks panel displayed. Please help!

[Joe Gadsden]

I stopped using Acrobat Pro a couple of years ago because I got sick of paying a monthly fee / tax / charge to use a program. If I want the latest and greatest program, I'll buy it, rather than rent it and never own it. So I downloaded Kofax Power PDF. Is nearly identical to Acrobat Pro in so many ways. There is only one irritation for me with Kofax is when you save a copy, there is no option. It is "Duplicate" and it opens another window (a duplicate), and then you save it. Minor irritation, but I paid ONCE.

And yeah, Adobe COULD simply implement the feature that everyone here is talking about. I mean, it's not that **** hard? I still use Acrobat Reader for some things, and it would be NICE ADOBE IF YOU COULD LISTEN TO YOUR USERS!

[RainbowChaser]

ADOBE: Stop creating extra work for people. If I want the Bookmarks tab on I'll turn it on. Keep it off so I don't have to turn it off for the hundreds of PDFs I have to open every year. Get rid of this annoying default feature. 

[MWMc61]

well said; thank you

[scottm31920725]

totally agree.

[peterriva]

Thank youi, I am trying this. BTW I called Adobe, 25 mins, useless help. Of course, when you're 85% of the industry you don't have to give a damn about customers paying you every month. The bookmarks issue is some geek setting this in code and there is NO WAY to deal with this easilly.The customer, for Adobe, always has to fight for fixes.

[S. S · Accepted solution]

Hi @peterriva,

Hope you are doing well. Sorry for the trouble. 

Unless the file has been created as such that it will open the bookmark panel at launch, you can try the below steps and see if the layout you are working with stays intact.

Could you please try deleting “Exchange-ProMesaages” DB file after closing Adobe Acrobat.

The file is located at “C:\Users\<Username>\AppData\LocalLow\Adobe\Acrobat\DC.”

Once this file is deleted, open Acrobat and continue with the workflow.

Let me know if this works for you.

-Souvik

[jwakerly]

I have a free pre-installed version of Acrobat DC in Windows 11, and it worked for me, except my file in the folder you indicated is named "ReaderMessages".  I've been wanting a solution to this for a couple years, so thanks!

[gabrielleflo]

Any ideas about how to do this on a Mac?

[S. S]

@gabrielleflo,

This should be the location:  ~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Acrobat/DC/

-Souvik

[gabrielleflo]

I tried searching that file name in the DC folder and nothing came up 🤷🏽‍♀️

[S. S]

Hi @gabrielleflo,

The location after the Acrobat folder depends on the version of Acrobat you are using (DC/Beta/Reader).

-Souvik

[Griffin38190261clz9]

I can't find the “Exchange-ProMesaages” DB file anywhere in the ~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Acrobat/DC/ files. I see Chrome, Linguistics, Preferences, and WebResources folders? 

[Joe Gadsden]

This worked. Thanks.

[S. S]

Thanks, @Joe Gadsden, for the confirmation.

-Souvik

[MWMc61]

C:\Users\<Username>\AppData\LocalLow\Adobe\Acrobat\DC

This unforunately did not work for me.  The file (Exchange-ProMessages) keeps reappearing after I have closed Adobe Acrobat and then opened one of my files (with the Bookmark page auto opening).  I restarted my windows computer too and this still occurs.

[Gwenael37041902trfl]

worked for me too !! Finallyyyyy

No problems from a few days.. Crossing fingers..

[peterriva]

Hallilulia! Thank you. That worked.

[S. S]

Thanks, @peterriva @jwakerly, for the confirmation.

Marked this as correct for future users to use as a reference.

-Souvik

[default3167393607xeik]

To set up Adobe Acrobat to not open the bookmarks panel when opening a PDF file, open the document properties, navigate to the "Initial View" tab, and then select "Page" from the "Navigation Tabs" dropdown menu instead of "Bookmarks Panel and Page.

When you open any file, righ click on it and you can see the document properties on the dropdown menu.

[S. S]

Hi @default3167393607xeik,

Hope you are doing well. Thanks for writing in!

While I understand that it would be the best solution, it cannot be always possible to make changes to the initial view, as they can be locked by the creator.

-Souvik

[IT-eDesk]

Disable Automatic Bookmark Display When Opening PDF Files 

[gabrielleflo]

Need Mac instructions.

[IT-eDesk]

Disable Automatic Bookmark Display When Opening PDF Files

https://youtu.be/rHAMdIbBY2Q 

[MWMc61]

Thank you for this tip and video.  I tried it in the past but tried it again today.  The  same thing is happening.... the file, Exchange-ProMessages, keeps recreating itself every time a new session of Adobe is opened- even though I permanately deleted it more than once time.  :-{

[lindak29005588]

I have the same issue. All PDFs open with the bookmark panel open, but only on my Mac, not on Windows. This is incredibly annoying. I have changed the individual document settings but when I reopen the document the bookmarks appear again. There needs to be a global setting for this. I get dozens of PDF every day from many different vendors and sources and this is happening with all of them.