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?

[Allen5E15]

Wonderful advice! Worked for me as well. I had been struggling with this same issue for months. Thank you so much for sharing, we really appreciate it ❤️

[katol31188913]

Thank you so much. It was so annoying opening downloads automatically in Adobe, but the issue is now fixed. You are the best!

[default7d41wkq7midu]

THANK YOU thank you! This has been driving me nuts for EVER! Much love for helping.

[LynxJSA]

Thank you so much! Work requires me to regularly use a 'Save as PDF' feature in our browser-based app. This removes several clicks (and pauses) from a process I do about 50-100 times a day. 

You rock! 

[Marleo5E3F]

Thank you, that was helpful. Had the same problem!

[Polly5E1E]

Yes!  It was Chrome all along.  "Select Clear next to "Open certain file types automatically after downloading"" did the trick!
Thank you, Sweet Pea & Rose!

[default6p5820ornp8j]

you have changed my life, thank you 

[BS5DEA]

Appropriate response- I am with you!

[OC Adob]

It's now August 5, 2021 does anyone know any additional steps are needed?  I'm excited for this to work but it has not after following these insutructions.  I've even  rebooted.  Thanks , Kimberly   

[Edoaru28982372h4l0]

I logged in for the first time to say thank you. This is the kind of setting I would have never expected to find in Adobe preferences.

[Laney5CBF]

Sweet Pea & Rose, you are a beginner? my, you are going places.

[Dani Coldy]

I figured it out. When you are saving the new document, the print dialog box has a Properties button. Click that button and UNCHECK the box that says "View Adobe PDF results.

[Kmo0198]

The setting you all were looking for can be found by selecting "save as" "PDF" & unchecking the box at the bottom of the windows prompt "View PDF after saving"  

[KEYEA007]

Unfortunately this still seems to require you to go into properties and unclick for every single file you are working with, becuase whenever I start something new, this setting is back to default and has to be toggled again.  For people that work with many versions and files, this is so infuriating. 

How can there not be a global setting that prevents your entire computer getting hijacked by Adobe needing to show you what you just elected to save??? 

Come the freak on.  This program is like the worst kind of teacher's pet that needs to be the center of attention constantly. 

[Test Screen Name]

Like all other printer driver settings, you use the Printers Control Panel to make permanent changes to “printer” properties. Each app resets the settings to default every time. Windows has always worked this way. 

[Test Screen Name]

I think the confusion comes here from the word "Save".

* If you save a PDF from Acrobat, or download it from the web, or email, Acrobat is not involved in opening the file. 

* If you print to PDF, using the Adobe PDF printer, there is a choice of whether to open the file. This applies to the current print job only

* Like all printers, you make permanent changes using the Print Control Panel

* SOME people WRONGLY "save" a PDF from a PDF on a web site by printing it to a PDF with Adobe PDF. This is not how it is done! But if you should do this for any reason, the normal print option applies.

* SOME people WRONGLY save pages from a PDF in Acrobat using printing to Adobe PDF. No, use the Extract Pages function, and it won't open them.

I tried to make it clearer, but I might not have succeeded.

[cynthiac48293823]

Thank you! Using your advice I was able to turn off automatic opening in Windows 10 by going to Printers & Scanners > Adobe PDF > Manage your device > Printing Preferences, then unchecking "View Adobe PDF results" and clicking OK. I print to PDF often when saving email messages in my reference files.

[Contrado5CDA]

I'm facing the same issue, but I don't have Adof PDF in my printers list! Any suggetions?

[Test Screen Name]

Contrado5CDA, unfortunately there are several quite different issues here, each one has different solutions. What is your specific issue - what app are you saving PDF from, and how do you save it (what do you click?)

[Contrado5CDA]

@Test Screen Name , thank you for response! I am creating and printing file from code using iTextSharp. 

[Test Screen Name]

Thank you. You need to look for options in iTextSharp, or in the app which uses iTextSharp. I can tell you that Acrobat Reader does not wait for files and open them when created; it only opens files if another app or driver asks it to.

[Tasha5FDF]

You are MY HERO! This has been driving me nuts for months. My the world smile upon you 🙂 

[Polly5E1E]

KEYEA007, try Sweet Pea & Rose's solution--- it took care of this annoying problem for me by changing one little setting in Chrome.  Turns out that was it all along!  Select Clear next to "Open certain file types automatically after downloading" (see full instructions above)--- hope this helps you!

[Stephanie24087742mwv0]

This did work for me also, but I was using Snagit Editor for capturing screenshots and saving as a PDF.  I had to also uncheck this box 'view Adobe PDF results' in my Snagit Editor app.  So wherever you are printing to PDF 'from', you may have to uncheck this box in each app... word, excel, etc.

[Guest]

I figured it out! Due to the fact that you are converting the file it will automatically pop up. Instead use Browser to print to PDF, it will save the file wherever you chose but not reopen. I used Microsoft Print to PDF.