How to Stop PDFs From Opening When Saved via MS Word/Excel

[layshap]

I just downloaded the latest version of Adobe Reader (18.011.20040) on my new computer. I create files all the time through Microsoft Word and Excel. When I save these files as PDFs, Adobe Reader automatically opens. I do not want that to happen. I simply want it to save as a PDF and go on with my life. How do I stop it from opening automatically?

[Peter37264909j6cp]

Update: I finally figured it out. This post helped: https://community.adobe.com/t5/acrobat-discussions/pdf-downloaded-from-chrome-automatically-opening-.... Tl;dr: I had the new version of Acrobat disabled (purely because I hate it when software developers change the UI for no reason), and there's a bug in the old version that causes this. I enabled the new version and then disabled it again, and it isn't auto-opening pdfs anymore. I still don't have this checkbox in my settings, either in the new or old version of Acrobat, but at least I have a solution now.

[Sara38389663exvs]

Thank You! Thank You! Turning on the New Acrobat and then turning it back off fixed it!!

[Sandra Sagona]

RAYPENG - you have the correct answer !!  This should be right at the top.

Thank you Sandy S

[Ted37669098ythi]

Thank you so much, I'm not sure when Adobe switched this on automatically but it was driving me crazy.  Just because I download it doesn't mean I want to open it.  I usually want to move it somewhere other than my downloads folder.  I'll decide when to open it thank you!

[Hossain38432185cao4]

Thanks. 

I tried all other suggestions, but none worked on my PC. 

Finally,  I got rid of that annoying thing following your instructions. 

[Ultimate29629219wai9]

Thank you so much for helping my man...I appreciate your help. This is the only trick that worked for my Windows Laptop. Other replies did not solve this problem as those people might have an Apple MacBook, not Windows.

[Omar_Barahona3562]

As of 7/28/2025 I can confirm this still works! Thank you sir!

[Duvid Weiss]

You can uncheck the option of "View Adobe PDF results" in Acrobat's Preferences by navigating to Acrobat ribbon in Word>Preferences>Uncheck "View Adobe PDF result">Click Ok, Let us know how it goes and share your findings.

[Charles21826895zfvs]

This works fine until I get an automatic update for my Acrobat software.
It then defaults back to the view Adobe PDF results again and I have to
uncheck it again. So frustrating. Is there a way to permanently uncheck
view Adobe PDF results?

Charlie
E-mail from:

Charlie Grimes

[Shobhit35422090aig1]

Hi, Click on Menu (top left) > Preferences > General and tick off 

[Mahmood36094046yoyl]

open adobe acrobat app on your windows pc

go to prefrences(ctrl+K) ==> General ==> uncheck the setting for 'Open PDFs automatically in Reader when they are downloaded in Chrome browser" ==> DONE.

[Yazid36320203sa4v]

Hello, for anyone having a similar problem in 2024, here's the steps if PDF keeps opening the documents you download on chrome:

1- open PDF and go to the top left menu

2- go to the tab labeled "general" 

3- untick the box that states "open PDFs automatically in reader when they are downloaded in chrome browser. 

Hope this helps or at least saves some time for someone out there. 

[Jada35929855nxha]

Open Adobe reader; Menu> Preferences> General> Deselect "Open PDFs automatically in Reader when they are downloaded in Chrome browser"> Scroll down click Okay (if you dont do this, it will not save the new setting)

[Dragan38312475i5c9]

For general purpuse it is a SETTING in Acrobat Reader

Open Acrobat Redaer > Menu > Preferences > General > REMOVE TICK from option "Open PDF-s automatically in Reader when they are downloaded in Chrome browser"

Done!

To stop PDF showing (opening) in new tab in Chrome

Menu (Options) > Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Additional content settings > PDF documents > CLICK ON option "Download PDFs"

Done!

To stop opening PDF file automatically when it is saved in Word, Excel, ...

When you go Save (Save As) > when you chose to save in PDF form > REMOVE TICK from option "Open page (file) after saving (publishing)

Done!

You welcome.

[captivating_lullaby44658]

1. Open Chrome Settings.
2. Expand Advanced.
3. Select Downloads.
4. Select Clear next to "Open certain file types automatically after downloading" ...
5. Go to Privacy and security.
6. Expand Site Settings.
7. Click on PDF Documents.
8. Make sure Download PDF files instead of automatically opening them in Chrome is enabled.

[captivating_lullaby44658]