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Making the selection tool default in Adobe Reader DC

Forum|Forum|9 years ago
July 10, 2016
6 replies
71904 views

Even though I click the selection tool, every time I open Adobe Reader DC, it reverts back to the hand tool. When I am viewing pdfs in Firefox and I switch to a different tab from the one that has the pdf, the cursor becomes a flashing hand tool. I was once able to get around this issue and make the selection tool default, but I no longer remember how I did it. Does someone have a solution for this issue? If I make the hand tool selection text and images, it still makes the cursor become a flashing hand tool when I am in Firefox and on a different tab from the one containing the pdf. I am using Win 10. This is very annoying because I often use the cursor to highlight and copy text and use the arrow keys to scroll, making the hand tool largely redundant. If there is a solution to this issue, I would greatly appreciate it.

Correct answer Meenakshi Negi

Hi Meenakshi,

This issue occurs when I directly open a pdf in Adobe Acrobat Reader DC. I noticed it first occur when I switched from Windows 7 to Windows 10.

Thanks.

Hi donaldc44485744

Please try to use the cleaner tool Download Adobe Reader and Acrobat Cleaner Tool - Adobe Labs and then restart your system.

Then try to install the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader DC from here: Adobe - Adobe Acrobat Reader DC Distribution

Let us know if you still experience the issue.

Regards,

Meenakshi

T

tingting_2327

New Participant

I'm having the same problem as you, except that 1) uncheck all the 3 options that starts with "Make Hand tool...." in General setting and 2) uncheck always display the keyboard selection cursor in Aaccessibility, please try to change the "Touch Mode" to "Never”.

Like this:

S_S

Community Manager

Hi @tingting_2327,

Hope you are doing well. Sorry for your experience with Acrobat Reader and the hand tool.

Do you still see the issue?

If yes, would you mind trying out the steps here:

Try to reset the Acrobat preferences as described here: https://adobe.ly/43Pdnu4.

The link location might change depending on the version of Acrobat you have installed on your system, but the primary directory is the same.

Also, please ensure you are on the latest version of Acrobat Reader (2025.001.205xx) for the best experience.

To do so, go to Menu > Help > Check for Updates.

Let us know how it goes.

Regards,
Souvik.

C

Cathy16E5

New Participant

This was driving me a bit crazy because I, too, wanted my documents to launch with the selection tool enabled, not the hand cursor. I tried all of the suggested setting changes but nothing worked. Then, I noticed that when I first launched documents, it was in text selection mode for about a second before switching to the hand cursor. I uninstalled and re-installed, and on first launch noticed a brief onscreen message that said something about touch mode being turned on. I use a laptop with a touch screen, so I guess it auto-detects that and defaults to some mode for that. Here's what finally resolved the text selection issue: https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/disable-touch-mode-in-acrobat.html

I had to turn off touch mode, to get rid of the hand cursor.

O

Ofira22638561hz0h

New Participant

THANK YOU,
that was it. it solved that annoying hand tool

A

Alex23931361tk4q

New Participant

Yes, the Hand tool is annoying.. and to use the "Selection tool" as default - please follow the below steps:

1) Look under Preferences --> Acessibility
2) Check "Always display the keyboard selection"
3) Now Goto Preferences --> General and Uncheck all the 3 options that starts with "Make Hand tool...."
4) Close the program and restart it again
5) The Selection tool will now be default

Hope this helps !!

Thanks,

Alex

J

John24717953yrzy

New Participant

That doesn't work.

Using Acrobat DC Pro Version 2022.001.20117

No matter what I do, hand tool is default. Up until I got a new laptop a week ago, selction tool was always default and the change is super annoying.

L

Louis_Chan1888

New Participant

i follow the solution that provided with Alex

There is one more option need to set. General > Touch Mode change to Never. problem solved for me.

R

Ryan22078246evez

New Participant

I am having same issue at donaldc44485744but mine is the selection tool is the default, and it doesnt matter what i select in the preferences.The cleaner program link below is not valid either. I recently upgraded to the 64 bit version, not sure if it is related to the problem.

G

Guiping

New Participant

I followed the instruction. The default to hand remains but starting MSWord generates an 0X0000142 error. Going through MS Office repair now.

Meenakshi Negi

Community Manager

Hi donaldc44485744

Please uncheck the box for "Make hand tool read articles" under Edit menu>Preferences> General.

Click OK to save settings and relaunch the application.

Regards,

Meenakshi

petrarcaAuthor

Participating Frequently

Thanks for the suggestion. I have already tried that as well as unclicking all the "Make Hand tool..." options. I have also tried clicking the "Always display the keyboard selection cursor" under "Accessibility" and none of these worked.

Meenakshi Negi

Community Manager

Hi donaldc44485744

Please also mark the box for "Restore last view settings when reopening documents" under Edit menu> Preferences>Documents.

Could you please let us know if you experience this issue only when you open the PDF on Firefox.

Please share the dot version of Adobe Reader application you are using on your system.

Regards,

Meenakshi

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