Windows Application Error Referenced Memory could not be written

[adminu31318584]

Hello,

I am having an issue with Adobe Acrobat Standard license when opening all PDF's. When I open the PDF's, I get the error in the attached image. I have tried uninstalling and reinstalling Adobe twice, updating Windows, rolling back the version of Adobe to DC June 2024 (24.002.20857) from DC Jul 2024 (24.002.20933), SFC, DISM, checked compatibility settings on .exe of the app, turned off protection mode in Adobe. Nothing seems to pop up in event viewer or Process monitor. Mind you, clicking OK on this pop-up does not close the application and does allow the PDF to be edited normally. Any help would be much appreciated.

The error if you can't see the picture is:

Windows - Application Error

The instruction at 0x0000000071C80670 referenced memory at 0x0000000071C80670. The memory could not be written. Click on OK to terminate the program.

[jeremy_7437]

Where did you find this option?

[adming77113329]

Find adobe application > right click > properties > compatibility tab > compatibility mode > select checkbox and make sure Windows 8 is selected. 

[WeAreBorrg]

Thanks. This worked for my users.

[defaultpkicwwaaj0s8]

Works for me, also.

[DeliberateContrarian44]

Hey guys,

I'm a helpdesk technician and a bunch of my users just started experiencing this. I was able to resolve the issue by disabling new acrobat.

[jeremy_7437]

How did you do that? Any details would be very helpful

[CB2024]

[Angela31936564karw]

This trick did not work, but thanks for sharing. And so it continues...

We only seem to have the issue when opening Adobe pdf from emails.

[hunter_5592]

Getting this error after updated from Windows 10 to Windows 11 24H2. Rolling back to Windows 10 isn't an option. 
Have uninstalled/re-installed Adobe. Have tried compatability mode and adjusted virtual memory.

Only happens when opening a PDF from an email attachment. 

[VnRice]

Not sure if this helps anyone but we were having this issue opening pdf files from outlook to adobe acrobat, 
Seems like the fix was to Disable New Adobe as well as Run Acrobat in compatibility mode for Windows 8, those 2 combined fixed our error 

[thomasp_2025]

Not sure what you mean by disable new adobe. Tried the compatibility mode for Windows 8 alone and it did nothing but open to trying something since I'm out of ideas. If you could clearify what you mean by disabling new Adobe that would be great. 

[gykantler32590726]

There is a screenshot a few messages above this showing where in the Menu you can select that... Posted by:

CB2024

Community Beginner , 

Mar 28, 2025

[Tinker4137]

Is there a resolution for this yet? Been having this problem on one device about a month ago, and now I got a brand new laptop and the same issue right from the start.

[daniel_5316]

Not sure if you are receiving this error from opening any PDF file, or only if you open PDF attachments from the new outlook, but if it is giving you this error when opening PDF attachments from new Outlook, try installing the 32 bit version of Adobe acrobat instead of the 64 bit version, which is standard. 

By installing the 32 bit Adobe Acrobat version, we were able to resolve this for our users when opening attachments from the New Outlook on Windows 11 machines. Download the 32 bit version from this adobe page. https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/acrobat-dc-downloads.html

[KoryHobbs]

This worked!!!  Thank you so much for the suggestion!!

[KoryHobbs]

It stopped working, so I have uninstalled the 32-bit Adobe and am switching back to 64-bit, hoping it will work now. I am in the process now.

[alison_7325]

Just tried this and working so far!

[defaultpkicwwaaj0s8]

Which is fine if you're using relatively small pdf's. The 64-bit version copes with large documents a lot better.

[KoryHobbs]

Well hopefully since we are paying for adobe they fix the 64-bit version.  I am hopeful this post will let me know when that happens.

[sliqwille]

Same issue.  Started last week.  

[bism49195399]

Same problem here, started right after a Windows 11 upgrade for a user.

[Peaceful_Aurora8038]

Hey Adobe please get it together!! It's very annoying when I have this box pop up 50+ times a day

[Serjical_23]

Disabling New Acrobat and uninstall/reinstall, cleanup has not worked. The only thing that has worked is running Adobe in Windows 8 compatability mode. It makes the window look a bit off if using dark theme, but it works for now as a band-aid. I am only seeing this issue on W11 machines. Hopefully Adobe comes up with a permanent fix here soon.

[sirocelot]

That Windows pop-up…

“The instruction at 0x00007FFE07CCD2D4 referenced memory at 0x0000000000000018. The memory could not be read.”

…is actually a generic access-violation inside Acrobat’s sandbox. It most often shows up when you open a PDF directly from Outlook (or another container) rather than from disk. Acrobat’s “Protected Mode” (AppContainer) or a long/odd file path can trigger the crash.

Here’s how to work around or fix it:

---

1. Quick Workaround

Save the PDF locally first (Desktop or Downloads), then open it.

2. Disable AppContainer (Protected Mode)

1. In Acrobat, go to Edit > Preferences (or click your profile icon > Preferences).

2. Select Security (Enhanced).

3. Uncheck Run in AppContainer.

4. Click OK and restart Acrobat. 

3. Compatibility Mode

1. Find your Acrobat shortcut or Acrobat.exe (Start Menu > right-click > Open file location).

2. Right-click it, choose Properties, then go to the Compatibility tab.

3. Check Run this program in compatibility mode for: and select Windows 8.

4. Click OK and restart Acrobat. 

4. Repair / Update Acrobat

• In Acrobat: Help > Repair Installation.

• Then Help > Check for Updates to get the latest build (64-bit recommended). 

5. Disable GPU Acceleration

In Edit > Preferences > Page Display, uncheck Use hardware acceleration and restart.

6. Rule Out Conflicts

Temporarily disable any third-party PDF-printing tools, sandboxing/VDI agents or antivirus hooks, then retry.

---

If you still see the error:

• Try another viewer (Edge/Chrome/Sumatra) to confirm the PDF itself isn’t corrupt.

• Run Windows Memory Diagnostic to rule out a hardware fault.

• Review the Event Viewer logs under Windows Logs > Application for Acrobat crash details.

[dkabala]

Still a problem July 2025. There has to be a different solution than uninstall/delete folders, REG entries/reinstall. This is crazy.