When you visit a website that links to a pdf, then close the pdf file, the AcroRd32.exe will not close, it will sit open, using your resources and memory on your PC until you restart.
This simple fix will disable that function of Acrobat reader and take back the memory.
- Open Acrobat Reader
- Choose “Edit”, then “Preferences”

3) Click on “Internet”, then uncheck “Display PDF in browser”.

4) Hit OK
Now AcroRd32.exe will close when you close the reader, not stay open forever!
think yuo
thanks for this info.
hope it saves me the harassment.
hmmm… I’m having a similar problem.
I can’t do these steps because Adobe Reader closes right after clicking preferences. T_T
Breisa,
You might have a problem with the Reader software, I would try to download the latest version, then try the steps again and see if that helps.
I had the same problem; Acrobat Reader would close immediately, not allowing me to apply the “fix.”
I had to uninstall the program, reinstall, then apply the fix.
BTW, reinstalling the program didn’t solve the problem; it only allowed me more time to apply the “fix” discussed here.
Thank you.
I cannot open some attachments because of an internal error and then a message Instruction at “0x00B5ae65 referenced memory at 0×00000038″. What is going on?
Great stuff. I’m killing a lot of processes now to speed up my PC, finally! Thanks!
Thank U, I save my resource.
The box was NOT checked when I opened as you suggested, yet AcroRd32.exe is still using 40+ MB of memory! What’s with this?
Thank you so much for saving me the hassle of reading through tons of useless data before finding a solution.
Obrigada pela ajuda! Estava com medo de que esse problema fosse tão grave a ponto de ter q formatar meu computador! hihi!
Valeu!
Very many thanks
yes, this was very helpful
I did as you suggested, now instead of AcroRd32.exe using 50% of cpu’s, I have two instances of AcroRd32 taking up 100% of cpu’s. Had to kill both in Task Manager to regain use of computer.
Thank you. This clear solution is very effective and helful.
Glad I found this – thought I had a virus!
I had 2 instances of acrord32.exe – one using 99% of cpu
Hate acrobat – hate the constant do you want to update nonsense…
Have to have it because the HMRC use it and nitropdf doesn’t display all their forms correctly
Did this yesterday. It works! This is the simplest and most effective fix ever. Thanks!
Thank you soo much, this was using up all my memory and I was waiting for ages to open documents
Amazing. My CPU usage went from 100% to down to 55%
I greatly appreciate your suggestion. If only Adobe & other software developers were on top of issues like this, we users would save endless hours of frustration.
This did not lower my CPU usage, do I still have to stop these processes in the task manager or not?
Thank you very much. I was really upset with this problem…
plz i will followed this steps but this problem not fixed . the games in laptop not openned plz help me now
I tried this and in Acrobat X, it doesn’t allow me to turn off the option. It’s grayed out. Anyone have ideas?
thank you…
Thank you, this thing still works after two years.
I don’t fully understand though why it works, because I’m not even opening my pdfs in a browser, but anyway…
Tang you some verry much, CPU went from ~ 65% to ~9%.
Most helpful, unlike Adobe.
Thank you! I can now complete my study!!!! What a relief.
Thanks for the solution. Can i make a donation by PayPal?
I’m also tired of Adobe Reader having constant downloads, is there an alternative program that would replace it?
Bill
Thanks for the solution. Can i make a donation by PayPal?
I’m also tired of Adobe Reader having constant downloads, is there an alternative program that would replace it?
Bill