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Reduce file size is disabled

terri77
Registered: Mar 7 2008
Posts: 5

I'm using Acrobat Professional 6.0 to reduce large files. Some of the files were produced using Acrobat Standard 8.x, but saved to be compatible down to version 4.0. When I open these, the Reduce File Size option is greyed out, as is the PDF Optimizer. I tried doing a Save As to see if the versions mattered, but the new file still had the features disabled. I checked Security, but the files are wide open for changes. This happens on both large and small files. The writer who created the PDF has the feature enabled on Acrobat Standard 8 on these same files, so I think it must be a version issue.

I have not noticed this issue before, but then this is the first time we've done size reduction for a full release. Whast's the cause, and is there a fix using my 6.0?

Thanks!

My Product Information:
Acrobat Pro 6.0.6, Windows
dbaker
Expert
Registered: Feb 10 2006
Posts: 413
Hi --

The reason you can't reduce the file size is that the lowest [oldest] version supported is acrobat 4. In that earlier version, there weren't the same capabilities to reduce and compact the files' contents as in later versions, so there's nothing that the Reduce File Size or PDF Optimizer can offer.

donna.

A prolific author and writer of many Acrobat books, as well as books on graphic and Web design software.
Donna lives on a lakeshore in central Canada, where all manner of wildlife from muskrats to coyotes come to call.

terri77
Registered: Mar 7 2008
Posts: 5
Here's the weird thing - I shut down and left for lunch. On return, I turned the laptop back on and voila! I could use the Reduce File Size!! Same file, same machine. The only thing different was that I ran a spyware check, which didn't find anything critical, just the usual cookies, which I deleted. Has there been a history of memory errors like this between Acrobat and Windows XP?
Ace3kiwi
Registered: Mar 11 2008
Posts: 3
Hi Terri - have you found an answer yet? I have the very same problem with the same versions of software.
terri77
Registered: Mar 7 2008
Posts: 5
No, I haven't. The workaround seems to be reboot and come back tomorrow; just rebooting my machine doesn't seem to change it. I have had it happen since then, and didn't delete cookies or such. Next day, it was fine. Usually, this happens when I'm proofing a lot of PDFs for a doc set, which means I'm also transferring files from a desktop to laptop via VPN software. Just popping back and forth on the VCN causes memory issues after about 4 hrs - now that I think about it, maybe if I reboot both machines... I'll try that next time. Good luck!