Urgent: Where to find temporary files after computer/adobe crashed

[defaulteg6y3kk0unep]

Hi, 

hopefully here is someone who can help me as I am more than desperate, my Adobe Pro DC hangs up on a regular basis and the program no longer works, closes automatically or I cannot save the file. The result is that the comments, marks or other things in the document are then all gone. But I've actually set that there are backup copies. Adobe also asks whether the documents should be restored after the unexpected shutdown of the program - it would be nice if that worked, but it doesn't and only the information comes that no recovery is possible.

Actually, due to this it is no longer justifiable to use Acrobat (it's the main software I am working with!), as the damage it causes me is far too great - but after extensively working with it for years, I find it difficult to switch to an alternative. I've already tried to get technical help on this, but that was also in vain - they didn't found a reason why they also couldn't find temp. files. My only problem is that I just want to restore the last automatically saved (possibly not working, but why?!) processing status of the pdfs.

What I don't want is to save the document as a file every 30 minutes - I have tried that, but stupidly, overstoring doesn't always work and you come out with a lot of document versions.

It can't be that difficult to get the temporary files and I would be more than grateful, if someone had a solution as to where or how I could find the temporary file of the document or how to make sure, that I will find these files in the future. Alternatively I would be happy for a recommendation, where to find technical help in Germany/EU.

Many thanks in advance and desperate greetings,

Nikki 

[Bevi Chagnon - PubCom.com · Accepted solution]

@defaulteg6y3kk0unep, To locate the temp file on Windows, look for the AutoSave folder at:

C > Users > (your user name) > AppData > Roaming > Adobe > Acrobat > (the version of Acrobat) > Autosave.

Any temporary files will be listed with the .tmp extension.

Where Acrobat's .tmp files are stored.

Note, however, that the AutoSave folder is erased when you close the file.

So when you do crash in the future, don't relaunch Acrobat just yet: wait, look for the .tmp file in the AutoSave folder, and copy it to a safe place on your computer. Then relanuch Acrobat and see if it recovers your work.

RE: the frequent crashes, have you recently updated your version of Acrobat DC Pro? If not, do so. Use the Update utility under Help / Check for Updates.

Also try running the Help / Repair Installation utility. It often corrects a buggy installation.

[Kristin24169529okxs]

Is there any way to find the Autosave folder once Adobe has automatically deleted it?

After Adobe crashed, I stupidly opened a saved older version of the document which seems to have prevented Adobe from restoring the version that I was busy with when it crashed. So now when I open the temp folder, there is no autosave folder. Please help!

[Test Screen Name]

No, there was only one chance. 

[Luke30046372pq71]

Who creates an autosave utility that deletes files automatically when the program restarts?? This is ridiculous.

[Joel25662447ik8i]

Absolutely unbelievable.

[AnandSri]

Hello!

I hope you are doing well, and we apologize for the delayed response and the trouble.

If you are getting a blank window while saving any PDF file, please see this article for the solution: https://adobe.ly/41DPYt5

To locate the temporary file on Windows, check the AutoSave folder at:

C > Users > (your username) > AppData > Roaming > Adobe > Acrobat > (Acrobat version) > AutoSave

Any temporary files will have the .tmp extension. However, keep in mind that the AutoSave folder is cleared when you close the file.

Important Tip:

If Acrobat crashes, do not relaunch it immediately. Instead:

1. Go to the AutoSave folder.
2. Look for a .tmp file.
3. Copy it to a safe location on your computer.
4. Then, relaunch Acrobat and check if it recovers your work.

Regarding the frequent crashes, have you recently updated Acrobat DC Pro? If not, please update it by going to Help > Check for Updates.

Please ensure you have the latest version of Acrobat installed on the machine: 25.001.20428 Planned update, Mar 04, 2025. Check for any pending updates from the Menu > help > check for updates, install the updates, restart the app and the machine, and check. For more information, see this: https://adobe.ly/4hqN6Wu.

If you wish to share your feedback, please use this URL to raise your request.

Thanks,

Anand Sri.

[jessie_8219]

How is there no way to recover these autosaves if it was opened? I had absolutely zero idea about this as it isn't said anywhere at all. This has to be the most horrible feature I've ever seen. Why would you force the .tmp files into the roaming folder when every single other common program on the face of the earth throws it into the temp folder??? WHY?!? It crashed and for some reason the link to the live source was not connected. that's fine I can just go to the temp folder that doesn't get overwritten immediately like the roaming folder. nope. it's all gone. I just reopened the application and it's gone. I lost so many hours for this review due tomorrow. I am up at 3 am after multiple nights of 2 hr/night average sleep trying to get my review in while packing for a move alone with three children and I am so beyond upset with your company. We paid for a subscription so I could have a more functioning program that what I was using at work and honestly i would rather go back to the God awful program after this. This makes it not worth anything. 

[jessie_8219]

I want to clarify some lack of sleep ramblings. The autosaved files need to be automatically renamed with a random string of characters to follow the existing title. A good rule would be to allow the rewrite of anything prior to the most recent 5 or 10 saved with the common start string within the roaming file. This would then eliminate the devastation caused by human error accidently clicking NO when prompted to recover. These files should be saved as a pdf as well. All other office standard applications use this same feature and there is absolutely no reason why your extremely costly application should put all of us in this situation. The hours of work I lost has severly impacted my job today and this was my first time using the application to edit files as it was installed days ago. 

Another option would be to allow a VERY simple and clear rule to automatically open autosaves during set up without the prompt window. I can't believe this is still happening after years of similar posts. 

[william_3229]

seems about right for Adobe........ nothing simple or makes sense. 

[Stellar_interest1463]

I think the word you're looking for is "bull$hit"

[Amy31225183ez33]

What worked for me (I've got the latest  version of Adobe DC Standard with all the just under pro bells and whistles).  If you do "Save As Other" and choose "Reduce Size PDF" it will prompt you to save an unsaved pdf before any file size reduction takes place.  So you can save and then cancel out of reducing the size.  When the reduce size dialog box comes up, the file has already been saved with the original size, so you can cancel and rest assured that your file has been saved.

[Abambo]

So what is stopping you from saving normally? Save or Svae as?

[Amy31225183ez33]

Both.  I'll revise my original reply to include that.

[Amy31225183ez33]

It won't let me update my original reply, so to make things clear, when you have an unsaved pdf (like one you've created new using "create from - Scanner") when you click the save button, the save as dialog box is supposed to appear.  On occasions a blank dialog box appears giving you no options to save the file.  To get around this, you use the "Save as Other - Reduced File Size" which will prompt you to save the file before you can reduce the file size.  After it saves the file, it automatically brings up another little dialog box asking what version of adobe you want to make the file compatible with... this dialog box can be cancelled out of if all you wanted to do is save the file that was previously unsaved.

[NOW!S]

Hi i have similar. spent hours adding comments to a pdf, the it said not reposnsing, left for 30 minutes, then killed process. there is a 1.tmp file in the romading, dc filder but if i copy and rename to pdf, it doesnt open? so what do i do to open my 5 minute auto save backup?