How to Recover Unsaved Adobe Acrobat File on Windows

Adobe Acrobat is an application developed by Adobe Inc. that allows users to read, generate, and edit PDF files. PDF stands for Portable Document Format, and it is one of the most widely used document formats in the world. Many people and businesses use Adobe Acrobat to create PDF resumes, brochures, and specifications.

Can Adobe Acrobat Files be Recovered?

If you closed Adobe Acrobat without saving or experienced a program crash while editing a PDF file, you may want to know if it can be recovered. Luckily, the answer is yes. You may use Adobe Autosave to restore unsaved Adobe Acrobat files. You may also recover PDF files from Adobe applications and EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard if you previously saved them but lost them due to a mistake or virus infection. Please continue reading to understand more about PDF file recovery.

How To Recover Unsaved Adobe Acrobat Files

 To safeguard customers from data loss, Adobe created a function called Autosave. This functionality is enabled by default in Acrobat. Every few minutes, it saves a file containing modifications. Typically, it lasts five minutes.

To check the Autosave state, launch the program, select Edit > Preferences, then Documents, and finally Save settings.

To adjust the save time, select the "Automatically save document changes to temporary file every X minutes" option. Then Acrobat will create a temporary file every several minutes.

When Adobe Acrobat fails, it will immediately open the auto-saved PDF file when you restart the application.

If your PDF files do not appear, there's another way for you to try to restore the files manually. Under this condition, you need to find where are the Adobe Acrobat temporary files stored on your computer. You can find the answer in the following steps.

Step 1. Go to the following path on your computer. That's where the Acrobat temporary files are:

C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Acrobat\DC

If you are using Adobe Reader, then go to:

C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Temp\Adobe\Reader\11.0

Step 2. Find the temporary files in the above location, and copy and paste these files to another location.

Step 3. Change the extension of the copied temporary files as *.pdf.

Step 4. Try to open the temporary files with Adobe Acrobat.

According to Adobe support, closing Adobe Acrobat deletes the temporary file (whether or not it was saved). The temporary saves serve simply to recover in the event that Acrobat or your machine fails, there is a power outage, and so on. So, if you did not experience a program or computer crash, you may be unable to rescue unsaved Adobe Acrobat files using temporary files.

Fixing Your Adobe Acrobat App

Sometimes, it's not your file; it's the Adobe app itself acting up. If your Acrobat isn't behaving, here's what you can do. Let's fix it with these simple steps:

Method 1: Fresh Start for Adobe

Close all Adobe tasks in the Task Manager, then restart the program. It helps clear out any background processes that might cause hiccups.

Method 2: Repair and Update

Think of this as a health check. Go to Help in Adobe > Repair Installation. If issues persist, check for updates: Help > Check for Updates. An update can work wonders!

Method 3: Reinstall Adobe

Sometimes, you just need a fresh start. Uninstall Adobe, delete associated system files (found in C:\Users\AppData\Local\Adobe\Acrobat), then reinstall from Adobe's official site.

Method 4: Run Adobe Acrobat as an Administrator

Run Adobe as an administrator. This gives it full access and resolves any permission difficulties. Make this your default configuration by right-clicking the Adobe symbol and selecting Properties > Shortcut > Advanced. Check "Run as administrator".

Method 5: Use the Compatibility Mode

Sometimes earlier Windows versions function better with Adobe. Use compatibility mode: Right-click the Adobe symbol, then select Properties > Compatibility > Check "Run in compatibility mode" and choose an earlier Windows version.

Method 6: Safety first

Before opening your PDFs, make sure they are not contaminated. A fast scan with internet tools such as VirusTotal or Windows Defender can assist.

Method 7: Turn off the protective shields

If Adobe is extremely defensive and not allowing you to access files, deactivate Protected Mode. Remember that, although this may fix your problem, it also exposes you to hazards.

What is the difference between Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Reader?

This article mostly discusses how to restore unsaved Adobe Acrobat files. However, Acrobat is not the only product in the Adobe family that can open PDF files. Another popular program is Adobe Reader. Because both software allow users to manage PDF files, some users may be curious about the differences between them. Let us examine the functions of these two applications.

Adobe Reader: Reads PDF files and performs basic functions such as allowing users to fill out form fields and add highlights.

Adobe Acrobat: Create PDF files from different formats, modify them in a variety of ways, add form fields, security settings, and more.

In other words, the key distinction is that Adobe Acrobat has many more functions than Adobe Reader, such as the ability to generate and modify text and graphics in PDF documents. It is the more sophisticated version of Adobe Reader, with more features.

FAQs

How to Prevent Unsaved Adobe Acrobat Files on Windows?

To prevent unsaved Adobe Acrobat files on Windows, consider implementing the following measures:

• Enable the auto-save feature in Adobe Acrobat to periodically save your progress.
• Save your document manually at regular intervals by pressing Ctrl + S or utilizing the Save option in the File menu.
• Avoid working on critical documents during unstable system conditions or when experiencing frequent power outages.
• Utilize backup solutions to create redundant copies of important documents, ensuring that even in the event of data loss, you have alternative versions available.

Can I Recover Unsaved Adobe Acrobat Files on Windows Without Third-Party Software?

Yes, you can recover unsaved Adobe Acrobat files on Windows without third-party software by utilizing built-in features such as auto-save, document recovery, and accessing previous versions. However, if these methods prove ineffective, third-party recovery software can offer additional assistance in retrieving lost or unsaved files.

Is it Possible to Recover Unsaved Adobe Acrobat Files After a System Crash?

Yes, it is possible to recover unsaved Adobe Acrobat files after a system crash using various recovery methods outlined in this article. By leveraging features such as auto-save, document recovery, accessing previous versions, or utilizing third-party recovery software, you can increase your chances of recovering unsaved files even after a system crash.

How Long Does it Take to Recover Unsaved Adobe Acrobat Files Using Third-Party Software?

The time it takes to recover unsaved Adobe Acrobat files using third-party software depends on several factors, including the size of the storage device, the extent of data loss, and the efficiency of the recovery software. In some cases, the recovery process can be completed within minutes, while more complex scenarios may require several hours or even days to recover data successfully.

Are There Any Risks Associated with Using Third-Party Recovery Software?

While third-party recovery software can be effective in retrieving unsaved Adobe Acrobat files, there are potential risks to consider. These may include:

• Data Overwriting: Improper use of recovery software can result in data overwriting, further jeopardizing the chances of successful recovery.
• Compatibility Issues: Some recovery software may not be compatible with certain file systems or storage devices, leading to limitations in data recovery capabilities.
• Privacy Concerns: Entrusting third-party software with sensitive data poses inherent privacy risks, highlighting the importance of choosing reputable and trustworthy recovery solutions.

Can I Recover Partially Saved Changes in Adobe Acrobat?

Yes, Adobe Acrobat's auto-save feature periodically saves changes to your document, ensuring that even partially saved modifications can be recovered in the event of an unexpected shutdown or crash. By enabling the auto-save feature and regularly saving your document, you can minimize the risk of data loss and recover partially saved changes with ease.

Conclusion

Losing unsaved Adobe Acrobat files on Windows can be a daunting experience, potentially resulting in the loss of valuable work and time. However, by implementing the methods outlined in this article, you can effectively recover unsaved files and mitigate the impact of data loss. From leveraging built-in features such as auto-save and document recovery to utilizing third-party recovery software and seeking professional assistance when needed, there are various avenues to explore. By staying proactive, vigilant, and informed, you can safeguard your digital assets and navigate unforeseen challenges with confidence.