How do I stop PDFs opening as tabs in the same document?

[melindaw10474384]

In the past, if I clicked 2 or more pdfs to open them with Adobe Reader DC they opened as separate documents in separate windows and I was happy with that.

Now if I open more then one pdf, they open as tabs in the same pdf window. If I want to look at the pdfs side-by-side, I have to drag one of them out of the window onto my desktop and open it separately.

What do I do/what setting do I change to make it go back to the way it was?

[try67 · Accepted solution]

Go to Edit (or the Reader menu if you're on a Mac) - Preferences - General and uncheck "Open documents as new tabs in the same window".

[try67]

PS. I moved your question to the Acrobat Reader forum.

[melindaw10474384]

I'm not on a Mac, just a regular desktop computer. Do you mean I have to be logged into my Adobe account to do this?

[try67]

Well, you have to open Reader in order to do it, yes.

[melindaw10474384]

Ok, I see it now! Thanks so much for your help

[Karen27050069lwo4]

I just got a new laptop at work, and in the Adobe Acrobat desktop client newly installed on it (Adobe Acrobat Pro Version 2022.003.20263), I have to follow the instructions again EVERY SINGLE TIME - each time I open Acrobat it has reverted to opening docs as tabs in the same window. I've used Acrobat for years on lots of different computers and never had this happen before. Any ideas?

[David34121591fby2]

Same here - any replies?

[DBJKSRCM]

Same here too. 1/22/24. Just had Acrobat uninstalled and reinstalled (separate issue) but now anytime I uncheck the box, exit, and reopen, Acrobat has the box checked. Cannot keep it from reverting back.

[David34121591fby2]

Same Here!  It's getting old.  I also have Acrobat not the Reader.

[DBJKSRCM]

Turns out, there was an okay button out of view to the bottom right of the screen after unchecking "Open documents as new tabs in the same window". Once I found that, it worked. I was searching for a 'save' button but couldn't find it. The above worked for me and hopefully works for others. FIND THE 'OKAY' BUTTON! Good luck!

[Dan351237200hol]

Help, I could not find this GENERAL setting in Adobe Reader 2023.008.20470:

It seems the new Adobe reader does not have this setting.

[Bernd Alheit]

Disable the new UI.

[andreathomp2448]

How do we disable the new UI?

[Aaron35510197mhws]

Under the hamburger menu I click "disable New Version of Adobe" ... all fixed now. I cannot work with documents in the same window on tabs. In order for me to work I must have documents in their own window. If Adobe sticks with this new approach I'll have no choice but to change my default app to Edge or something.

[andreathomp2448]

What is the "hamburger" menu? Or rather, where it that? I am assuming that you are refering to the 3 horizontal stacked lines, but I do not have anything like that.

[MK178]

where is the "Hamburger" menu?  I'm having the same problem as Andreathomp2448

[Carlos362266794cqs]

It seems this "disable New Version of  Adobe" is not there any more. 
This means, we can stop using Adobe PDF reader and look for another program...

[remcgowan]

Why did they break this long-standing functionality? I NEVER want PDF documents to open in tabs in the same window! How can we disable this "new" interface now? The old method and options don't seem to be available any longer.

[Meenakshi Negi]

Hi remcgowan,

Thank you for reaching out.

Please ensure that you are using the latest version. Check if you can find the settings in the application. Preferences under General Category. Refer to the following help  document: https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/viewing-pdfs-viewing-preferences.html. 

Alternatively, you can also use the following steps to open a PDF in a new window:

- Open the PDF.

- Go to Menu > Window > New Window.

The PDF will open in a separate window. You may also drag a tab for a PDF and drop it out of the Acrobat window, causing it to open in a new window. 

If the settings are still not visible on your end, please share the details of the Acrobat and OS versions.

Thanks,

Meenakshi