Adobe Acrobat Reader tabs duplicating on their own

[dino_3649]

3-4 weeks ago, I got a glitch in my Adobe Acrobat Reader on my Windows 11. As it can be seen in the attached image, my opened PDF documents get duplicated. I open them, wait for a few seconds to pass while using another application, and when I return to Reader, everything is duplicated in the same order it was opened. If I try to close the duplicate, it will close the original tab.

I have been using Reader for more than 10 years, and on this specific computer, I am using it for almost 2 years without any glitches ever. I tried updating both Windows and Reader, and it didn't help. I also tried fixing the installation, but it didn't work either.

I hope I can get a solution to this. Thank You in advance.

[Peru Bob]

I've moved this from the Using the Community forum (which is the forum for issues using the forums) to the Acrobat Reader forum so that proper help can be offered.

Scroll down here to see a list of the forums:
https://community.adobe.com/

[AnandSri]

Hello Dino!

I hope you are doing well, and thanks for reaching out.

We're sorry for the trouble you had with the Adobe Acrobat Reader. Closing one of the duplicated tabs closes both, indicating it's not a true duplicate, but likely a UI/rendering glitch. 

Please ensure you have the latest version of Acrobat installed on the machine: 25.001.20474 (Win), Apr 28, 2025. Check for any pending updates from the Menu > help > check for updates, install the updates, restart the app and the machine, and try again.

Disable Tabbed View (test workaround):

• Open Acrobat Reader

• Go to: Menu > Preferences > General

• Uncheck “Open documents as new tabs in the same window (requires restart)”

• Restart Acrobat Reader and see if the issue persists when documents open in separate windows. This helps isolate whether the problem is related to tab rendering.

Turn off Protected Mode at Startup (for testing):

• Edit > Preferences > Security (Enhanced)

• Uncheck “Enable Protected Mode at startup”

• Restart Reader

• Note: Do this only temporarily for testing. If it resolves the issue, it indicates a compatibility problem with protected mode and your Windows environment. See this article for the troubleshooting: https://adobe.ly/42WFozz

Reset the Acrobat Reader preferences, see this article for the steps: https://adobe.ly/3Z4AUof

If the problem persists, please uninstall the Acrobat Reader using the Cleaner tool, restart the machine, and install Acrobat Reader.

Let us know how it goes.

Thanks,

Anand Sri.

[dino_3649]

Greetings.

Thank you for answering.

I have tried every step you advised, and unfortunately, there is still a problem. I updated my Adobe, restarted it, changed its settings, uninstalled it as you said, and then installed the latest version, but the problem remains the same.

Is there anything else that I could do?

Thank you in advance.

[AnandSri]

Hello @dino_3649!

Thank you for sharing the details, and thank you for your cooperation. Could you please provide the following details for further investigation? 

1. The current operating system that is installed on your machine.

2. A screenshot of the version of Acrobat Reader you are using.

3. A quick screen recording of the issue you are experiencing.

4. The log files from the affected machine.

Additionally, please download the log collector tool and follow these steps:

1. Run the tool and ensure all log options are selected.

2. Try to reproduce the issue.

3. Close the log collector tool and save the logs.

The tool will generate a log ID. Please share this log ID along with the other details.

Regards,

Anand Sri.

[dino_3649]

Thank You for reaching out again. I apologize for the late reply.

1. My operating system version is: Windows 11 Home 24H2

2. I have attached a screenshot of the version.

3. I have also attached a gif. You can see that I takes some action for the tabs to duplicate, so the fastest way to reproduce the problem was to switch the virtual desktop, and return to the first one. It also happens of course, when I do a couple of window minimizations, or open another app. The result is always the same and is inevitable even after many successive Windows and Adobe updates.

4. Unfortunately, it is not possible. I do not have the option on the Help section in Main Menu, and I do not have the option in Preferences either. I tried downloading Diagnostics directly, but it cannot be run since I never enabled Troubleshooting (which I can't because there is no checkbox in the General tab).

I hope You have enough data to help me.

Thank You in advance.

[Isabela37498162rhjo]

It's happening to me too. I tried following the suggested actions, but the glitch persists. Could someone help me?

[compellingelegance]

I have a similar issue that might be related: Chrome tabs that have Acrobat reader showing a PDF file duplicate themselves--about one new tab every 30 minutes.

[AnandSri]

Hello @dino_3649 & compellingelegance

I hope you are doing well, and sorry for the delayed response.

@dino_3649 

Thank you for sharing the information. However, the logs are required to investigate further, as this will enable us to replicate the issue in the same environment. The logs from the diagnostic tool will help us understand the background process running, which may be causing the issue.

@compellingelegance

If you are experiencing the same issue, could you please share the current version of Acrobat installed, the version of the OS, a quick screen recording, and the logs from the affected machine? 

Thanks,

Anand Sri.

[dino_3649 · Accepted solution]

Greetings.

It has been a long time since I wrote, but now I have good news. I waited for a time to pass, hoping that some update would solve my tabs duplication issue. It actually managed to fix the problem somehow. I do not have duplicated tabs anymore, just one instance of each tab opened in Reader.

Thank You for the help anyway. I hope it won't come back.

[Roger Anderson_uk]

I have the same issue. As mentioned in one of the replies, I can replicate the fault quickly by opening a 2nd virtual dektop and then switching back. Each of my open PDFs then shows twice when i hover over the Adobe Reader icon on the taskbar.

I then get some weird UI behavior if i close one of the docs:

Running Windows 11, saw this on both 23H2 and 24H2

[Meenakshi Negi]

Hi Roger Anderson_uk,

Thank you for reaching out.

Our team will require the logs to check this further. Please use the diagnostic tool to collect the logs and share the log ID with us. We will then share the logs with the team to check and replicate the behavior further.

Feel free to let us know if you need any help.

Thanks,

Meenakshi

[Roger Anderson_uk]

It's a company laptop and I'm sure I would need to get permission to send computer logs externally.

[cavaliersa]

I am experiencing the same issue and am able to provide logs. However, when I follow the steps on the the diagnostic tool page I have neither the Troubleshoot Acrobat option under Help or the preference Enable troubleshooting option to enable this, I've posted screenshots below showing this.

When I initially open a document where Adobe Reader is not open the program icon on my taskbar appears as I would expect as a single icon. If I open a second document the program still behaves normally where if I however the taskbar icon the sneak peek shows the two documents that are open.

Regardless of how many documents are open, if I were to move Adobe Reader to another screen this is when the program in the taskbar appears to double (shown in the red highlighted area) and whatever number of documents you had open look as though they are each open twice.

The tabs in Adobe are correct though showing the correct number of open documents.

If you close all open documents but keep Adobe Reader itself open this is what shows.

Also, to note from the above screenshot, you'll see that a long list of my recently opened documents is showing, this is despite my preference being to show zero. If I simply open preferences and press OK the list clears/disappears... until the next run of Adobe Reader.

I have tried the steps suggested but unfortunately the issue persists.

• Windows version: Windows 11 24H2 (26100.4652 build)
• Adobe version: Continuous Release | Version 2025.001.20566 | 64-bit

I am happy to provide logs but as mentioned I do not have the option and the steps per the document referenced do not appear to be accurate. In lieu of a screen recording I have provided duplication steps and screenshots. There may well be another circumstances that trigger the issue but the easiest I've found to duplicate the issue is to move Adobe Reader from one screen to another, moving the program icon to be in a different place amongst your other applications does not appear to cause the issue.

[Andy29445579vivf]

I've been experiencing an issue with Adobe Acrobat for the past 3–4 weeks. Whenever I open a PDF, they get duplicated along the bottom taskbar, and when I try to close them, the windows linger and don’t fully disappear. I’ve already tried updating the app, reinstalling it completely, and adjusting the Preferences settings but nothing has worked.

I’m running out of ideas and would really appreciate any help.

[SER_4]

I am also getting this problem lately, but I think for me it only happens when I switch networks, or disconnect from my company server network (e.g. when I take laptop home), or maybe it has to go to sleep or something.

[S. S]

Hi Guys, 

Hope you are doing well. Sorry for the trouble with using Acrobat Reader.

To confirm, are you guys using external monitors to run Acrobat / Reader?

If yes, can you once try and disconnect the monitor and check if the behavior is them same? 

Look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,
Souvik.

[m_70770]

I just have a sole laptop and, for the last few weeks, my PDFs are being duplicated in additional tabs (same window). If I have my laptop on all day i might get about 6 duplicate tabs for each original tab. Reading others' comments here, it appears that there is a bug with Adobe.

[Andy29445579vivf]

Yes, I use an external monitor (just one), and Adobe is usually open on that screen. As soon as I unplugged the monitor, the issue was resolved. However, when I plugged it back in, the duplicate windows reappeared.

Is there a way to make Adobe work properly with the external monitor? Other applications seem to function fine with the setup.

[S. S]

Hi @Andy29445579vivf,

Thanks for the confirmation. 

For an external monitor, we are already aware of the issue, and the team is working on a fix.

For the single monitor on your laptop, @m_70770, we haven't heard much of it.

Would you mind sharing a screen recording of the issue with us? This will help us understand the issue better, and investigate in clearer lines.

Also, please ensure you are on the latest version of Acrobat (2025.001.20577) for the best experience.

Regards,
Souvik.

[Andy29445579vivf]

Hi Souvik,

Here is the screen recording of the issue  
I’ve also confirmed that I’m using the latest version of Acrobat (2025.001.20577).

Let me know if you need anything else

[S. S]

Hi @Andy29445579vivf,

Thanks for sharing the screen recording. 

I have forwarded this to the development team for further investigation.

I request your kind understanding and patience while the team looks into the matter.

Regards,
Souvik.

[Andy29445579vivf]

Hi Souvik,

I wanted to kindly follow up regarding the issue I reported and the screen recording I shared earlier. Has there been any update from the development team?

I appreciate your time and assistance and look forward to hearing from you

[S. S]

Hi @Andy29445579vivf,

Thanks for writing in!

There is no update on the issue yet.

But the priority for the issue has changed to a higher level.

I cannot commit to the exact time for the fix, but work is in progress.

Your kind understanding and patience is highly appreciated.

Regards,
Souvik.

[Zealous_personality4765]

Hello, this issue is still a thing on windows 11 with the adobe acrobat reader version: 2025.001.20630.

The problem occurs if the following setting is changed to anything else than "All taskbars". I am used to have this setting changed to "Taskbar where window is open". I would love to see getting this fixed in upcoming versions.