Adobe Reader XI SLOW in Windows 7 64-bit

[mtnlion]

Just installed Reader XI (11) on a perfectly fine laptop running 7 x64. Holy cow, Reader XI is WAY slow doing ANYTHING--not just opening the program or PDF's, but even clicking in its menus. I found this thread re: Reader X/10 and followed Spengler's advice--disabled "Protected Mode." That's the ticket. After making that change, Reader is behaving properly, no long lags for every action.

In Reader XI, go to Edit/Preferences/Security (Enhanced), and uncheck "Enable Protected Mode at startup." (I also unchecked "Enable Enhanced Security" but that may not be necessary.)

 

[UsernameIssues]

Welcome to the Seven Forums.

I have to use Adobe's PDF reader, but most people can pick a faster lighter weight reader.
http://www.filehippo.com/download_sumatrapdf/
You can install that along side of Adobe's reader and see if you like it.

You are putting yourself at risk by turning that feature off within Adobe's reader.

Those who are willing to operate a computer online without any antivirus software installed generally think that they have a handle on how to be safe. Those same people can usually figure out how to make things work (since they have such a good understanding of applications). I suggest to those people that they use IE10 with 64bit tabs enabled to make better use of ASLR.

If you must stick with Adobe's PDF reader, then you will have to figure out how to get to some PDF files since Adobe only has a 32bit IE plug-in.

Edit: Adobe reader's speed is fine on my Dell - your specs are better than mine, so there might be something else going on with your computer.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

I use full blown Adobe Acrobat XI Standard and, with the full protection turned on, I haven't experienced any slowdowns.

 

[mtnlion]

Thanks for the superfluous tutorial, Issues. So happy for you.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Thanks for the superfluous tutorial, Issues. So happy for you.

Issues gave you some excellent advice. You would be wise to heed it instead of scoffing.

 

[UsernameIssues]

Thanks for the superfluous tutorial, Issues. So happy for you.

Understood: you already knew and rejected all that stuff.

 

[mtnlion]

Good man.

 

[Lefty100]

I also have found Adobe XI to be slower opening than previous versions. For me the comment pane on the right side seemed to slow things down and cause things to hang a bit. I haven't found a way to toggle it off directly, but going into, then out of 'Read Mode' seems to do the trick (view/read mode, or Ctrl+H). It hides the comment pane and things are much peppier now.

 

[Azure77]

Thank you

I just wanted to thank the original poster about the Preferences tip. I'm not sure what happened to Adobe Reader and recent updates, but I had been having a horrible time opening any PDF in the last few days. I have Windows 8.1 and it had never been an issue previously. Each PDF I tried to open immediately said 'Not responding' and I would have to wait several minutes for it to maybe open. And as soon as I tried to do anything with the document, it would suddenly not respond again. After disabling the protected mode at startup, everything is back to normal. I understand the comment about extra security and what-not, but I already have internet, virus/malware security and the lot. Since I have that covered, I'd rather have an Adobe Reader that actually works. Thank you!

 

[andrew129260]

Most web browsers have the built in ability to open pdfs. It is better to just uninstall adobe reader. IT is not worth the security risk.

 

[mikebenigni]

I recently migrated a SBS 2008 with redirected folders to a 2012 R2 Essentials with redirect folders. I had one user complain that opening Acrobat took 30-40 seconds. I was able to confirm this and adjusting the security did not help for me. What did help was setting an option in the Page Display preferences. At the bottom of the page I clicked Browse for Location and specified a non-redirected folder. I selected "C:\Temp". This resolved the sluggish performance and now Acrobat opens instantly.