Protected Mode Cache Issue

[Sarvesh33782538lg9o]

I am running Adobe Acrobat in protected mode. I have certain files that I need to grant access. I have given access to them in "ProtectedModeWhitelistConfig.txt" file located in Acrobat folder. I have also ensured that I have added "bUseWhitelistConfigFile" and set its DWORD value to 1 under registry key Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat\DC\FeatureLockDown.

It takes all my files properly but when I do changes in "ProtectedModeWhitelistConfig.txt" file to update new directories / files, It fails to do so. If I delete it restart in Non Protected mode and then recreate it in Acrobat folder it again takes the new changes and starts working.

Am I doing anything wrong here? Is there a way to prevent adobe using its OLD FILE. [I HAVE ALWAYS RESTARTED ADOBE AFTER CHANGES] . Or is there some place where it caches this file so that I can delete it and Adobe Acrobat takes my new changes in the file. 

[S. S · Accepted solution]

Hi @Sarvesh33782538lg9o,

Hope you are doing well. Sorry for the trouble, and the delayed response.

In case you are still looking for a solution, you can try the below steps:

• Check File Permissions

  • Ensure that ProtectedModeWhitelistConfig.txt has the correct permissions:
    • Open File Explorer → Navigate to the Acrobat folder.
    • Right-click ProtectedModeWhitelistConfig.txt → Select Properties.
    • Go to the Security tab → Ensure the current user and SYSTEM have Full Control.

• Force Reload the Config File

  • Instead of relaunching Acrobat, try:
    1. Restarting Windows Explorer (Task Manager → Restart "explorer.exe").
    2. Restarting the Acrobat Updater Service:
       • Open Services.msc
       • Locate Adobe Acrobat Update Service
       • Restart the service.

• Check Registry for Cached Config

  • Navigate to:
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Adobe\Acrobat\DC\Security
  • Look for any cached entries related to the whitelist and delete them.

• Disable Caching

  • Add a registry key to prevent caching:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat\DC\FeatureLockDown
    • Create a new DWORD value: bDisableCache
    • Set it to 1

• Try Using an Environment Variable

  • If your paths are static, try defining an environment variable in Windows and referencing it in the whitelist file.

• Completely Reset the File Without Exiting Protected Mode

  • If deleting the file and recreating it outside Protected Mode works, try this alternative:
    • Rename ProtectedModeWhitelistConfig.txt (e.g., ProtectedModeWhitelistConfig_old.txt).
    • Create a new file with the updated directories.
    • Restart Acrobat.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Souvik.

[Sarvesh33782538lg9o]

Thanks @S. S  for your response. Will surely try them and let you know if issue still persists.

Thanks,

Sarvesh Karan

[S. S]

Hi @Sarvesh33782538lg9o,

Hope you are doing well. 

Just chiming in to see if your issue was resolved.

Regards,
Souvik.

[Sarvesh33782538lg9o]

Yes, I did 

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat\DC\FeatureLockDown
Create a new DWORD value: bDisableCache
Set it to 1

And after that it has mostly worked fine.
Thanks for your help.