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August 11, 2020
Answered

Acrobat Reader DC long file path

  • August 11, 2020
  • 19 replies
  • 69341 views

As an organization, we are using Windows 10 with the "LongPathsEnabled" registry entry set to 1, as posted here: Enable Long Paths in Windows 10, Version 1607, and Later 

This has helped us with moving long pathed files and opening them in Microsoft Office programs.

 

However, Adobe Acrobat DC (and Acrobat Reader DC) still cannot open files with paths longer than 255 characters. We have tested this in multiple scenarios and have found that Acrobat has this problem with any long file path. The file simply won't open or opens a blank document. If you copy the document to a short path, it opens flawlessly.

 

I have found several similar threads here , here and here . All mention it's a file path limitation of Windows. That is simply no longer the case. As seen in the top link, Windows 10 now supports file paths up to 32,767 characters. 

 

As linked in this thread here , user avn1 has correctly deduced that Adobe has not updated Acrobat to recognize the new MAX_PATH restrictions. That thread has several more responses but none from Adobe employees.

 

Could you please advise when Adobe plans to add long file path functionality to Acrobat products? Or at least acknowledge that you are working on it, please?

Correct answer BRossow

Actually ... enabling long file paths in the Windows registry fixed the issue. It was enabled on the computer I was referencing which should have been identical to the one having the issue, but it wasn't. Would delete my comment above if I could. Sorry for the false alarm.

19 replies

New Participant
August 14, 2025

We're running into the same issue with the current version of Acrobat (yes, all updates installed). I'm working around it by mapping some of the deeply nested SharePoint folders to drive letters, but seriously? This needs to be fixed. Shouldn't have to navigate to different drives to open and save documents.

Community Manager
August 15, 2025

Hello, 

Sorry for the troubled experience. 
A bug has been logged for this issue. If the product team requires any further information to triage this issue we will keep this discuss updated. 

 

Thank you for your patience and support. 



Best regards,
Tariq | Adobe Community Team

BRossowCorrect answer
New Participant
August 15, 2025

Actually ... enabling long file paths in the Windows registry fixed the issue. It was enabled on the computer I was referencing which should have been identical to the one having the issue, but it wasn't. Would delete my comment above if I could. Sorry for the false alarm.

New Participant
July 6, 2025

You're absolutely right — Windows 10 has supported long file paths since the 1607 update (with LongPathsEnabled set to 1), and many apps, including Microsoft Office, now handle extended paths just fine.

Unfortunately, Adobe Acrobat DC and Reader DC still rely on older APIs that respect the legacy MAX_PATH (260-character) limit. That’s why you’re seeing files fail to open or load as blank when stored in deeply nested directories — even though the OS supports it.

 

In the meantime, one effective workaround we’ve used is LongPathTool. It helps locate, manage, and open long-path files that Acrobat struggles with. We use it to temporarily move or rename files to a shorter path before viewing. It's not a permanent fix, but it avoids breaking workflows while waiting on Adobe to modernize path handling.

 

Hope Adobe acknowledges and updates their path support soon — this is becoming increasingly critical in enterprise environments.

New Participant
November 26, 2024

I also have the same problem which happened exactly after downloading Acrobat Reader.... It is absurd that now over 2 years later nothing has been done about this problem.

Meenakshi Negi
Community Manager
Community Manager
November 28, 2024

Hi naomielvira,

 

Thank you for reaching out, and sorry about the delay in response.

 

Please ensure that the application is updated to the latest version. In Acrobat Reader, go to Menu > Help > Check for updates. For more information, refer to the following help document: https://adobe.ly/4i38ItH

 

If you still get the same error, please let us know where the file is saved and how you are opening the document.

 

Thanks,

Meenakshi

New Participant
November 28, 2024

Wow we wait for updates for years and then the replsponse is check for updates!!!

 

#notascoobydo

Participating Frequently
October 18, 2024

Still having the same issue.  Beyond frustrated with Adobe at this point. 

Participating Frequently
September 10, 2024

Still having the same problem, and note that it's definitely Adobe since the file can be opened in Chrome or any other app just fine.

gordons66548100
New Participant
July 11, 2024

Still having issue on the LongPath files - July 2024

New Participant
April 17, 2024

It's 2024 and this is still an issue for me with Adobe Acrobat Pro. There are no updates available, I'm at the latest version.

 

New Participant
April 22, 2024

same issue here

Participating Frequently
April 24, 2024

Hey, did you try the tool? 

 

New Participant
April 16, 2024

I researched a lot, read every article but was not able to find anything. Recently, I downloaded the Long Path Tool and it has helped me, it has some issues but that can be overlooked. 

 

New Participant
April 5, 2024

LongPath files are too irritating - the errors that come with them just get on my nerve  - so  I started using LongPath Tool. It is effective. 

New Participant
April 4, 2024

I have DC Pro. April 2024 and it still appears that Acrobat has issues resolving/opening/processing pdf files with long path names, (specifically in network locations). I have to copy files to local or short network folder to be able to process files. I was not able to combine files, or run a batch actions. This is unacceptable for a premium product.

New Participant
August 11, 2024

I have the same issues here. Is there any other ways to solve this?