Adobe Reader doesn't remember last view settings when reopening the file

[calande]

Hello,

I enabled the setting on Adobe Reader > Edit > Preferences > Documents > Remember last view settings when reopening the file, but this feature doesn't work with some PDF files. I have uploaded an example file where page 1 is displayed every time I resume reading it.

I checked for software updates, my Adobe Reader is up-to-date. I've had this issue with previous versions. I tried modifying the PDF file, saving it, but to no avail. Adobe Reader doesn't remember the last viewed page. I'm using Adobe Reader v.2025.001.20756 64bit on Windows 11 (latest version applied).

Have you experienced a similar problem? Are you able to reproduce this problem on your end with the attached PDF file?

Thank you.

[Amal.]

Hi there,

Thanks for sharing the details and for trying the troubleshooting steps already.

The option “Remember last view settings when reopening documents” works for most PDF files; however, it may not function correctly with certain files, especially if:

• The PDF has restricted permissions or was created with settings that prevent saving view preferences.
• The file is opened from a temporary or protected location (like an email attachment or browser download folder).
• The file’s metadata or internal structure doesn’t store the last view state properly.

To check further, please try these steps:

• Save the file locally to your desktop and then reopen it from there.
• Open the PDF > View a few pages ahead > Close and reopen it directly from File > Open Recent.
• If it still reopens on page 1, try opening a few other PDFs — this will help confirm if the issue is file-specific.

If other PDFs work fine, the problem is likely with how that specific file was created or saved. Would you mind sharing how this PDF was created (for example, exported from Word, scanned, or downloaded)? That information will help us reproduce and test it further.

~Amal

[calande]

Thank you for your reply. The file is opened locally (it is on my Desktop, among other files).

I tried opening the file from the list of recent files, but the same thing happens, it starts over from page 1.

Again, I tried opening a few other PDFs, and the issue is file-specific, as for most PDFs, Adobe Reader resumes from the last page viewed. Other PDFs work fine (not all of them). I don't know how this file was created, it was downloaded. I could imagine this was exported from an application such as Adobe InDesign. I have attached a few more PDFs that I am unable to resume from the last page viewed. Could you try on your end, please?

[Amal.]

Hi there,

Thanks for sharing the details and the additional files.

It seems the issue is indeed file-specific since Adobe Reader remembers the last viewed page for most other PDFs on your device. Some PDFs, especially those created or exported from certain applications like Adobe InDesign or other third-party tools—might have document properties or restrictions that prevent Reader from saving view settings.

While we can’t test the attached files directly, you can try the following steps to check if the issue is related to the file’s structure:

1. Recreate the PDF: Open the file in Adobe Acrobat (if available) > select File > Print > Print Adobe to PDF and then try reopening the new file.

2. Check security settings: Right-click the PDF > Properties > Security tab to see if any restrictions are applied.

3. Update Reader: Make sure you’re using the latest version (Help > Check for updates).

4. Disable Protected Mode (for testing): Go to Edit > Preferences > Security (Enhanced) and temporarily uncheck Enable Protected Mode at startup, then reopen the file. (If it works, you can re-enable it afterward.)

If none of these steps help, it’s likely that the way the file was created prevents Adobe Reader from saving the last viewed page data.

~Amal

[calande]

Thank you. I recreate the PDF using File > Print > Microsoft Print to PDF, but same problem with the new file...

I don't have any restrictions in the Security tab under the file properties.

As explained above, I updated Adobe Reader to the latest version.

I unchecked Enable Protected Mode at startup, then reopened the file, to no avail.

Doesn't Adobe provide any tool to fix damaged PDFs like these?

[robbert_3612 · Accepted solution]

Yes, I’ve noticed that too — it usually happens when the PDF was created or modified by software that doesn’t retain the document’s “Save View Settings” metadata properly. Even if Adobe Reader is configured to remember the last view, the feature won’t work if the file’s internal structure blocks state-saving (like with some optimized or web-downloaded PDFs).

One workaround I’ve used is to open the file, go to File → Properties → Security, and check if any restrictions are applied. Then, re-save the file using Print to PDF (Microsoft PDF) or a full editor like Acrobat Pro — that often restores view memory.

I’ve been testing a few design-heavy PDFs for my own project (related to café and menu layouts on 7 Brew’s Secret Menu), and re-saving through Acrobat usually fixes the issue. Hopefully this helps you troubleshoot it on your end too.

[calande]

Thank you. I went to the file properties, and it says the PDF file has no restrictions. If I open the file and go to File → Properties, I don't have a "Security" tab. Under the "Protection" tab, it says "No protection".

Yet, I went to File > Print to PDF (Microsoft PDF), and opened the new file, but the same problem is still there. Are you able to reproduce this issue with the attached file posted above? Any other way to restore the the file’s internal structure blocks state-saving? Thank you.

[robbert_3612]

Thank you for your message. Based on the information you've provided, it seems that the PDF file does not have any explicit restrictions, as indicated under the "Protection" tab and the absence of the "Security" tab in the file properties.

However, since you mentioned that printing to PDF using Microsoft PDF still results in the same issue, it's possible that the internal structure of the file, such as embedded fonts, metadata, or certain form fields, may be affecting the functionality when converted or printed. These issues can sometimes persist even if the file is considered unrestricted, as some aspects of the document's formatting or structure may not be fully reset during the printing process.

Here are a few steps to try:

Flattening the PDF: Flattening the PDF (removing form fields and annotations) might help reset the internal structure. You can use tools like Adobe Acrobat Pro or third-party PDF editors to flatten the documen

Use PDF Repair Tools: Some tools offer the ability to repair corrupted or problematic PDFs. Consider using a PDF repair tool to restore the file’s internal structure.

Export as a New PDF: Instead of printing to PDF, you can try exporting the document directly (if possible) from the software you're using (e.g., Acrobat or another PDF editor) to create a fresh copy without the internal issues.

Check for Embedded JavaScript: Sometimes, PDFs may contain embedded JavaScript that could be influencing the file’s behavior. If you have access to a PDF editor, check if any JavaScript is attached to the document.

Unfortunately, without seeing the specific file, it's difficult to reproduce the issue accurately. If the steps above don't resolve the issue, you might need to consider reaching out to a professional PDF tool or service for deeper analysis or file repair.

Please let me know if you need further assistance, and I'll be happy to help!

[calande]

Unfortunately, without seeing the specific file, it's difficult to reproduce the issue accurately.

I'm sorry you don't have access to the file attached above... I thought this was downloadable by regular users. Here's the URL of the file: https://www.swisstransfer.com/d/ad2e716f-dd1f-4fac-9891-47229c11e6e9

I hope the Adobe forum web site doesn't block access to it.

I'll keep searching. One thing worth mentioning is that the same PDF file, if open in Wondershare PDF Element, another PDF reader (and editor), the page number is remembered across sessions, and Wondershare PDF Element opens the document where it was left. So this functionality works in other applications... This leads me to think that this could be an Adobe Reader bug, don't you think so?

[calande]

One thing I just noticed: out of curiosity, I tried opening the same PDF file in Adobe Reader for Android. Adobe Reader for Android successfully remembers the last page I left. I can close Adobe Reader for Android, reopen the file: it opens at the right page. So this looks like a problem with Adobe Reader for Windows, don't you think so? If Adobe Reader for Android opens the file at the right page, it doesn't look like is faulty...