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Multiple instances of Acrobat to facilitate use with multiple monitors

buddytoliver
Registered: Sep 22 2007
Posts: 8

Is there any way to open multiple instances of Acrobat--not just multiple windows in the same instance--but separate instances that can be controlled independently by operating system. (The way MS Word for example opens multiple docs each in its own application).
 
One reason for doing so is to facilitate spreading multiple documents across different monitors. Using the "spread across monitors" feature in Acrobat 8.0 does not work well since you then have to go in and size each monitor with your mouse and put it where you want it. It would be much better if there was a way to launch multiple independent versions of Acrobat so that you could use your system commands to move the windows, maximize independently, etc.

My Product Information:
Acrobat Pro 8, Windows
lkassuba
ExpertTeam
Registered: Jun 28 2007
Posts: 3636
Hi buddytoliver,

You can try running Acrobat from the command line running a new instance using the following syntax acrobat.exe /n; however, you should be aware that this is not a supported configuration.

Lori

Lori Kassuba is an AUC Expert and Community Manager for AcrobatUsers.com.

buddytoliver
Registered: Sep 22 2007
Posts: 8
Awesome, thanks. I had tried this before, but left out the space between acrobat.exe and the /. Also, I had tried just acrobat without .exe. This seems to do what I need. One tip if others are trying this is that it will prompt you that there were unsaved documents (the ones open in the other instances) it seems you can safely disregard this message.
lkassuba
ExpertTeam
Registered: Jun 28 2007
Posts: 3636
Another thing you can try is to make sure the following Preferences is set:
Edit --> Preferences --> Documents Category. Check to make the following is set under the Open Settings "Show each document is its own window". This utilizes the SDI (Single Document Interface), which allows the user interface controls for the document window to differ from one document to another according to content or user workflow.

Lori Kassuba is an AUC Expert and Community Manager for AcrobatUsers.com.