Illustrator Resizes on File Open

[bearcatnat]

This is a silly little issue, but it really bugs me! Whenever I open a file in Illustrator via double-clicking the file in Windows Explorer, Illustrator resizes its main window, as if I've hit the "Restore Down" button in the upper right corner. I then have to click "Restore Up" to expand it to fill the screen again. I'm using Illustrator CS3 and Windows XP. Any ideas?

[igrynsh]

Stop wondering! Yes, I'm using the legal version too. And this is a bug which hasn't been fixed for years and was in previous version(s) too (now using CC). It started so long ago, that I even don't remeber correctly on which version and if it was already after installation or after some usage time meaning there is a deffinite cause why this happens. If I remember correctly it might be the second case.

Anyway maximazing the window manually is not really a sollution. That is just a workaround. Also think of some case when you especially want to quicky switch between maximized and minimized modes, for example half screen to see some reference text of other program. Then this is not really possible as you would get that not maximized half screen every time by doubleclicking to open the document and would need to click one more time to maximize.

Final thought is that it is very annoying and my best sollution is to not open files by double clicking on them, but by dragging them inside already open Illustrator. Just don't drag in an open document, but some other part of program screen, otherwise it will place it. Of course another way is to use the Open from menu, but that of course would slow things down even more.

In the end a simple question - why this happens only in Illustrator and not any other Adobe software. At least I haven't seen it.

[nagalarza]

bought version at work, hacked at home: I have the problem at work, not at home. go figure.

[emil_emil]

PwrSrg wrote:

...

Your solution has no effect on our problem.

I'm wondering if you actually tried my solution and if yes, what steps did you make?

I don't have this problem. Using CS5 on Windows 7. May be I'm wrong but I have a feeling that it is a system and not Illustrator problem that needs to be fixed. I think the size of the application windows are managed by the system.

[schroef]

This doesnt fix it sadly.

The way i got it fixed is once this happens simply resize that small window to a pretty big size. Then next time it will again resize the window, but you can get passed that error about the window being to small. Its still hideous that this bug is still in since 2012!!!!

[AlbertVerdugo]

Adobe does not have time for that, with your subscription you just can afford user interface updates like new splash window every year and smaller icons. and maybe sometimes change 20year old shortcuts to annoy older users like me.At best! 

[Sbown]

Has anyone from Adobe actually addressed this issue or even replied? I would like some kind of explination regarding this - Or am I missing something and they have replied??

[EGKDistribution]

4 years since this question is open on the forum.

26 answers of people bored by this (27 counting me).

And not a single answer from Adobe.

Maybe the problem will be fixed in CC12?

NB: InDesign has exactly the same f**** problem

[ManKind-pBp4Zz]

Freaking cock Adobe, will this poop ever be fixed??

[alalal011]

BigChili's advice works well for me, but this bug can be not Adobe's.

It was discussed here, there's only a suggestion, but it's plausible:
Illustrator Application Window Resizes When Opening Smart Object from PSD

[krystian_as]

I've been having this same problem for years and years.  Figured out the window resize trick somewhere in the depths of the last decade. 

I can't believe this is still happening.  It's so bizarre. 

For the record, Windows 8 + Ai CC.  But it has done it on every previous version of program and OS that I've ever used it on.

[Noemo]

this stupid AI it is really really getting on my nervs

Adobe: why do you have a forum, if you do not comment, advice or at least fix your software???

[martincrownover]

This happens to me as well. Any word on when this is going to get fixed, Adobe?

[Matija_Erceg]

Just updated to CC 2014 and the bug remains.

[bearcatnat]

Well, isn't that just awesome??

[jennlah]

I found this fix in the link posted by emil emil - right click on your desktop shortcut and choose Properties. In the Shortcut tab choose Maximized from the menu for Run. Worked for me. I'm using CC 2014 on Windows 7.

[bearcatnat]

I'll give that a try!

[jennlah]

Beacatnat - sorry but the fix is now not working.. looks like I celebrated too soon.. : (

[bearcatnat]

I tried it today, and it seemed to work! Like you, I will have to see if it does not last...keeping fingers crossed!

[Matija_Erceg]

This does not fix it, and even if it did, it would only be a workaround to a long standing bug that Adobe has not yet fixed.

[ScenicNic]

This seemed to work for me! I've had this issue on my work PC almost every time, but never on my personal Mac. Now that I think about it, it does seem more like a system issue rather than Ai. SImply change the 'Run' setting from normal to maximised (dunno why this isn't the default), but it has worked for an entire afternoon so far.

[ScenicNic]

Damn. It seems I was too quick to post too. I had such high hopes for this as the settings made total sense for the issue at hand.

Weird that it temporarily works—no settings changed either.

However, my second attempt using 'Open illustrator, not a file. Resize the frame, exit.' has worked for a number of opens now...I just 'restored' then 'maximised' my raw illustrator to resize the frame.

[bearcatnat]

Yep, it worked for a day or two, then reverted back to the same old bug. Dumb Illustrator!

[jennlah]

I accidentally fixed this yesterday by doing something which I now realise was similar to CarlosCanto suggestion:

"maximize" your window manually, that is, grab it by the corners and drag to fill up (almost) the screen, make sure you don't get to the actual maximum since the system will maximize the window for you, that should take care of the problem.

In addition to the original issue of the window going out of maximise mode on new file open I was getting another error message "Can't open the illustration. There is not enough room for the window; increase document area and try again".  So what I did to fix this issue I manually resized the window by grabbing the corners and filling the screen.  Then I think I clicked the maximise button and I say "think" as I was doing this without the intention of fixing the original problem, I just wanted to open my file, so I can't remember exactly. Then I opened a file and my window was maximised. Tried another file, and window stayed maximised. Shut down Illustrator and reopened and tested more files using double click on file in Windows Explorer to open or opening from Illustrator. Tested again today.  Window is staying maximised and I was not getting any error messages..... victory is mine!!  

[Matija_Erceg]

This is not a fix. This is just a temporary workaround: If your screen resolution is changed while Illustrator is running (such as by Remote Desktop or a full screen app), then Illustrator will once again open files in a restored, non-maximized state. This happens to me frequently, and I constantly have to expand collapsed panels.

No matter how you try to slice it, the bug remains, and the workarounds are not permanent solutions.

[Ewebb398]

This problem has been around as long as CS itself, which means it's over a decade and going strong. It's highly unlikely the programmers and/or test groups haven't noticed it themselves. It's a sad state of affairs when a reported bug spans a generation without being addressed. Don't hold your breath on Adobe taking action on it any time soon.