Preview mode in windows locks the pdf from saving

Report · Jun 09, 2020

This problem is very old.
Why is it not solved yet?
If I have clicked the file in Windows so that it shows in the preview pane. Then editing it in acrobat and you cannot save it until you click some where else in the folder. This annoying?
My solution, install Foxit pdf preview handler and voila! Then Foxit shows the preview pane and I can now save even if the file shows in preview pane. The software is from 2008 so I am guessing this problem is also that old...

Report · Jun 09, 2020

Hi there

We are sorry for the trouble. As described you are not able to save the PDF.

We enable the preview pane in Windows and then opened the PDF in Acrobat DC and edited it and save the file and its working fine on our end.

What is the version of the Windows OS you are using?

Would you mind sharing the version of the Adobe Acrobat DC you are using? To check the version go to Help > About Adobe Acrobat DC

Please, make sure you have the latest version 20.009.20067 installed. Go to Help > Check for Updates

Let us know how it goes

Regards

Amal

Report · Jul 01, 2020

Hi Amal and thank you for your answer!

I have Windows 10 1909. OS build 18363.900
Acrobat DC 2020.009.20067

We all have this problem, as soon as the file is previewed we cannot save it.
The Foxit workaround works well until Acrobat gets next update, then we have to reinstall the Foxit previewer.

Report · Jul 05, 2020

Hi there

We are sorry for the delay in response.

Would you mind sharing the screen recording of the issue for a better understanding? Also please share the sample PDF file so we can try to reproduce the issue and check it at our end.

Regards

Amal

Report · Apr 23, 2024

Amal, what if people want to use just Acrobat Pro, and not be "in the cloud"? I have this problem too and I"m just running the newest Acrobat Pro and if I have a preview open I can't save the file, I can't save ANY file, whether the one in the preview pane is the doc Im working on or not. So ridiculous.

Report · Apr 25, 2024

Hi @Noah36781904cdit

Hope you are doing well and thanks for reaching out.

I have tried to reproduce the issue at my end and its working fine.

Would you mind sharing the version of the OS and the Acrobat Pro you are using? Also, a small video recording of the steps you are taking would be very helpful.

To check the version go to Help > About Acrobat and make sure you have the recent version 24.02.20687 installed. Go to Help > Check for updates and reboot the computer once.

Also try to repair the installation from the help menu (Win Only) and see if that works.

Please try to reset the Acrobat preferences as described here https://community.adobe.com/t5/acrobat-discussions/how-to-reset-acrobat-preference-settings-to-defau... and see if that works.

~Amal

Report · Mar 14, 2025

This is a joke. I have had this problem since Acrobate 9.0, 15 years ago. Decided to recently purchase 10 licenses and it STILL IS A PROBLEM. Absolutely unacceptable. They have added a thousand things I dont need, but I cant save a windows previewed file still. So frustrating.

Report · Aug 14, 2025

Exactlyl. I have made multiple comments like this. Cannot even add proper keyboard shortcuts and they are "working on" AI integration that we all know will never work. I am done.