Adobe Reader: How do I remove the Share button and popup?

[CVHManchester]

I am marking many student scripts a day. 

These are returned through the LMS. I never want to "share" the document.

How do I stop, eliminate, this feature?

Everytime a  feature is added for some users, it adds a timewasting distraction for others. And there are now pages of such features which just get in the way.

Everytime a  feature is added, the option to switch it off should be added.

My version appears to have been updated recently, but I cannot find anywhere that the version number is stated

[Tariq Ahmad]

Hi @CVHManchester, 

Thanks for reaching out. 
If you have a personal machine that is not managed by IT admins, it is not possible to disable the feature. 

The application features can be customized for deployment for Enterprise or business users: https://adobe.ly/4bfnyw1

Let us know if you have further questions.

Best regards,
Tariq | Adobe Community Team

[CVHManchester]

Thank you for the prompt (but negative) response.

May I quote back to you 

"Your feedback matters—and we’ve listened.

We understand that not everyone requires AI assistance in their workflow. Many of you shared concerns about intrusive prompts and lack of control, and we’ve taken action. 

Now, Acrobat gives you complete control over AI features through Preferences. You decide what stays on and what turns off—no enforcement, no surprises — just flexibility. "

The same applies to most features of just about every piece of software I use. They all get feature bloat.

So if you are actually listening, please apply this policy to all the features.  I do not want anything to do with signatures etc,  etc, 

[CVHManchester]

Except that I have just done that. I have switched off AI in Preferences, restarted Reader, and AI is still there!  

This sounds like politican speak. Tell the sucker what he wants to hear, then do the opposite.

[Tariq Ahmad]

In your initial post, you mention "Share," and that can't be disabled for individual users. And if you still need to disable it, it can be done through the application customization, URL shared in an earlier post.  "Share" workflow isn't controlled through AI preferences. 

About AI preferences not working, we have a known issue for users who have a Teams subscription. 

Could you please let us know the version of Acrobat or Reader that is installed? Is it Reader or Acrobat that is installed on your machine? 

Best regards,
Tariq | Adobe Community Team

[CVHManchester]

Thank you

You made clear that Share could be customised only for those with Enterprise etc, so I haven't tried.

I have a new free version of Reader on my home office PC. As I mentioned before, I cannot find anywhere that the version number is stated. I cannot see a reference in the Menu.

I realise that the Share workflow is different from the AI workflow but both workflows are subject to similar policy decisions about what user interactions are enabled.

I have Teams on my PC but I do not have a subscription (though my work employer may have).

[try67]

It might be possible to use a script to hide it, but can you post a screenshot of the exact tool you're referring to?

[CVHManchester]

Thank you.

With all software, I try to remove clutter from the screen, so I can concentrate on the task - marking student scripts in this case.   I never want a summary of a student script - I need to consider and comment on every word and concept from the student.  The screenshot illustrates many completely redundant features for the task: All tool (including side panel), Share, AI assistant, PDF Space, e-sign, convert.  It would be much better if they could be removed so that Reader opens with a cleaner screen.   If I want them, I can find them in the menu.  The new small commenting panel is an excellent introduction, but I don't want the others - no matter how useful they might be to other users - just too busy. And some of them open as I am trying to read and comment on the open document. Really distracting and unnecessary.