One Adobe Acrobat file with two taskbar items

[Wayne249574729pdd]

I use 3 screens in Windows 11.

I've set up the taskbar so that, "When using multiple displays, show my taskbar apps on Main taskbar and taskbar where window is open."

When I open a single pdf file in Adobe Acrobat Pro (64-bit), and it's on one of the side displays (NOT the main display), Adobe displays TWO taskbar icons.  They both show the same file name (the only one I have open).  When I move it to the main display, Adobe only displays ONE taskbar icon.

This seems like a glitch.  Any idea how to fix it, without changing the way I use Windows 11?

I'm sure a lot of people will say "combine taskbar items" but I don't want to do that - I like my taskbar items separated.  And they shouldn't need to be combined - it's only one file open.  No other program I use does this, and even Adobe doesn't do it when I move the window to the main display.

Here's a screenclip:

To clarify: I'm looking for a fix to this glitch, NOT a suggestion that I change how I work in Windows 11.

Thanks for any advice from others who have experienced this same problem.

[BarlaeDC]

Hi,

Best plan would be to upvote a bug/issue if there is one or create one if there isn't.

here: https://acrobat.uservoice.com/

[Wayne249574729pdd]

Will check it out on Uservoice, thanks for the link and suggestion!

[Kiley366213978o3r]

https://acrobat.uservoice.com/forums/590923-acrobat-for-windows-and-mac?query=duplicate%20taskbar%20...

Its the fifth one down for me... the mroe votes the more likely they are to fix this nonsense. I just upgraded my Windows and didnt have this issue with my old version, yet my taskbar settings were the same.

[joe5C91]

Adobe needs to work with Microsoft and correct this issue. All business users are experiencing this problem and it's been months. Stop devoting resources to adding useless new features that nobody uses and fix basic fundamental problems.

[AK3459]

Has this been fixed yet? Is there a fix coming? With multiple PDFs open and double the taskbar items things get very cluttered and difficult to navigate between windows and views.

[awerfawedfgdfghrt]

Halfway through March 2025 and still an issue for me too. I hate Acrobat Reader but none of the competitors are clean enough to replace it.

[mendel__0455]

True they are just the go to name for businesses but thier product are super glitchy, 

This issue is affecting my life daily at work 

[PuddlesOvO]

Help please.

[AnandSri]

Hello @PuddlesOvO!

I hope you are doing well, and we are sorry for the trouble.

Could you please share more details about the issue? Are you experiencing the same issue mentioned in this post? What is the version of the operating system installed? Do you have the multi-screen setup as well? Ensure that you are on the latest version of Adobe Acrobat, 25.001.20474 (Win) | 25.001.20476 (Mac), Apr 28, 2025. Check for any pending updates from the Menu > help > check for updates, install the updates, restart the app and the machine, and try again.

Try the following suggestions, and let us know if that works for you. 

Disable Acrobat’s Native Tabs Feature

Sometimes, Acrobat’s tabbed interface causes taskbar duplication:

• Go to Menu > Preferences > General

• Uncheck “Open documents as new tabs in the same window”

• Restart Acrobat and see if the issue persists.

Force a Single Window Rendering via Compatibility Mode

Try running Acrobat in compatibility mode:

• Right-click on the Acrobat shortcut > Properties

• Go to the Compatibility tab

• Check “Disable fullscreen optimizations”

• Optionally, try “Run this program in compatibility mode for Windows 10”

• Click Apply and restart Acrobat

If the issue persists, please share a screen recording, along with the current version of Acrobat installed, the OS version, and the logs from the affected machine, with us for further investigation. Download the log collector tool, run it, ensure all the log options are selected, and try to reproduce the issue. Close the log tool; it will generate the logs and a log ID. Please share it with us.

Thanks,

Anand Sri.

[Kiley366213978o3r]

I was quite excited to try this - none of it works. I am however unable to complete the "Run this program in compatibility mode" as it only allows me to select up to Windows 8 and I'm running Windows 11 Pro. I did confirm I'm on the Adobe version listed above, there are no updates, and I ran the "repair installation" just for giggles. I can't do a screen recording on multiple montiors but I filmed a crummy video from my phone instead. Unforunately my IT has us on lockdown so I cannot run a log tool but hoping someone else following this thread can help with that piece. 

[AnandSri]

Hello @Kiley366213978o3r!

Thank you for sharing the video. It looks like Acrobat is still spawning two separate taskbar entries when you move the window onto a secondary display. You can try the tabbed-window workaround that often prevents duplicate buttons:

• Preferences → General → uncheck “Open documents as new tabs in the same window”

• Restart Acrobat.

However, the logs will let us know if that’s just a band-aid or if there’s an underlying bug. If possible, please share the logs for further investigation.

Thanks,

Anand Sri.

[Kiley24690771qn1c]

Yea, I've never worked with multiple tabs in the same window. That was already unchecked and is not a resolution. I can't share the logs - SOMEONE ELSE HELP US HERE! 🙂

[ham_7278]

Having similar problem;

Adobe Acrobat Version 2025.001.20474 | 64-bit

Windows Version 24H2 OS build 26100.4061

It seems I can reproduce it through the following steps:

- Open any file. (at this point there is only one taskbar preview)

- Switch to another virtual desktop and back

- Now it shows as two.

Not sure how to find the logs.

I'd rather not turn off the open document as new tabs feature, as it's really useful for me.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Again, no problem on my system.

Same Acrobat version.

My Windows is at build 26100.4061.

Check to see if your GPU driver is up to date.

[Kiley24690771qn1c]

Dave,

Your taskbar settings are different, so you would be unable to replicate the problem. If you change your taskbar behavior to the settings in the below snippet, you'll be able to replicate. Your snippets on your reply demonstrate that you do not have your settings set to "do not combine". If you re-read the first string of this, it might be helpful. 

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

@Kiley24690771qn1c I wasn't responding to you. 

I responded to @Wayne249574729pdd  orginally (to post from 02/2024), using their specified settings.

Then I responded to @ham_7278 , duplicating their settings.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

This is working correctly on my system. 

Main taskbar (partial):

Secondary monitor:

The Acrobat icon is not showing on monitor 3 and 4.

[Amanda27344795]

David,

I'm guessing you have your taskbar settings to combine. If you hover over the Adobe icon do you see two of the same file?  I do when I have my taskbar icons combined.  If I choose 'never' or 'when full', I see the same issue that @Wayne249574729pdd noted.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

I had my settings exactly as the OP described. 

[Kiley24690771qn1c]

Except you don't have your settings the same, as demonstrated in your snippets.