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defaultobuwq4n89lba
Participant
September 7, 2021
Question

Modifying PDF file changes permissions on network

  • September 7, 2021
  • 1 reply
  • 5710 views

Hi guys,

 

We have a small office where one computer has a shared folder and a few other computers access that shared folder. If a pdf file is modified, say a page is removed, from the main user's computer, it will modify the permissions of the file to no longer allow the username we use for sharing to access it unless:

 

- It's manually added back in security tab 

- Or the file is copied to the desktop and copied back in (it'll fill in the security rights automatically)

 

How can we avoid having to do this? Thanks!

    1 reply

    radzmar
    Community Expert
    radzmarCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    September 12, 2021

    The rights management for shared folders is controlled by the operating system not an application, so there nothing you can to about this in Acrobat I'm afraid.

    D
    defaultobuwq4n89lbaAuthor
    Participant
    September 12, 2021

    It's just interesting because the file is already in the shared folder, and other types of modified files don't change permissions on modification (.xls, .doc, etc)

    T
    Tariq Dar
    Legend
    March 5, 2025

    I have the same issue with edited and sometimes new or downloaded PDFs. I discovered the problem while using a Backup program (Allway Sync). It only happened with PDFs. What I found is that in the editing process and probably on the SAVE action, the "Everyone" share was removed under the security tab. Once I added the "Everyone" item back on the list, all was well. Of course, fixing the problem had to be accomplished back at my "server" where like default. . . the files were stored. BTW, the folders appear to be shared properly and affectes only the edited (and sometimes new saved) files individually. I first worked with Allway Sync. They were able to point me toward the ACLS solution.


    Hi, 

    Sorry for the delayed response. 

    I am assuming this is possible because:

     

    1. Acrobat’s File Save Behavior (Deletes & Recreates the File)

    • When you modify and save a PDF in Acrobat, it doesn’t simply update the existing file. Instead, it:
    • Creates a new temporary file.
    • Deletes the original file.
    • Renames the temporary file to the original file name.
    • This process can cause the file’s original permissions to be lost because, depending on network policies, the new file does not inherit the old file’s security settings.

    2. Network Drive Permission Issues (Windows or Server-Based)

    • If the network drive uses NTFS permissions, the deletion and recreation process may cause the newly created file to inherit default permissions instead of the original ones.
    • Some file servers or NAS (Network-Attached Storage) devices enforce default permissions on newly created files.

    3. Windows File Ownership Transfer

    • If the original file was owned by a different user or group, Acrobat’s file replacement process may transfer ownership to the person saving the file, changing access permissions in the process.

     

    Suggestions:

     

    1. Change How Acrobat Saves Files

    Acrobat has an option that prevents it from replacing the file on save:

    • Go to Edit > Preferences > General
    • Enable “Save As optimizes for Fast Web View.

     

    2. Check Network Folder Permissions (that you are already aware)

    • Ensure “Modify” permissions are granted instead of just “Read/Write.”
    • Check for inheritance issues:
    • Right-click the folder > Properties > Security > Advanced
    • Make sure “Inherit permissions from parent” is enabled if needed.

     

    3. Adjust Windows Group Policy (If in Enterprise Environment) (if applicable)

    • Some network administrators enforce security policies that cause this behavior.
    • IT can set a Group Policy Object (GPO) to ensure that users retain permissions when modifying files.

     

    ~Tariq

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