Cool tip: Make Acrobat Reader 6.0 load faster

[EldestNorski]

Cool tip from Darrell Norton's Blog (http://dotnetjunkies.com/weblog/darrell.norton/posts/2095.aspx):

Executive summary: Have you wondered why the newer Acrobat Readers take so long to start up? Well, it seems most of the time is being spent loading a dozen or so plug_ins most people will never use.

The obvious fix: Get rid of them. Here's how:

1. Open your Acrobat folder, e.g., "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Reader".

2. You should see 2 subfolders, plug_ins and Optional. Move everything in the plug_ins subfolder to the Optional folder except for EWH32.api, Search.api, and Search5.api. This includes all those silly plug_ins/... subfolders.

Optional extra step:

3. On really slow computers, you can also get rid of the splash screen. Run Acrobat, navigate to Edit->Preferences->Startup, and uncheck Display Splash Screen.

Enjoy!

[dajogejr]

EN...this thread is almost sticky worthy...

This is fantastic, thanks for the tip...

DJ

[Bigjakkstaffa]

Marvellous, i was a little annoyed about the startup time of Acro 6 even on my main rig to say the least

--Jakk:t

[r8500]

Cool tip :)

[Swordfish]

great first post, EldestNorski.

Atleast now i can think of installing it on a PIII...:x

Thanks, and Welcome to Sysopt.:)

[fancyf]

no more waitin', bye bye plugins!
thanks!

http://www.fancysplace.com/smileys/cool_shades2.gif

[dajogejr]

I use Publisher, and convert it to Acrobat for a smaller viewing size as well as allow other users who only have "reader" to to view it.

I can tell you those Plug Ins don't effect word or publisher to acrobat.

And...my bad. Welcome to Sysopt.

:t

[sm8000]

Anybody know how to get rid of the zombie? Whenever I click on a .pdf on a webpage, I read it then close it. In Task Manager, AcroRd32.exe is still running and using 30+MB of memory!

[EldestNorski]

Originally posted by sm8000
Anybody know how to get rid of the zombie? Whenever I click on a .pdf on a webpage, I read it then close it. In Task Manager, AcroRd32.exe is still running and using 30+MB of memory!

Look, don't get the wrong idea -- I'm no Acrobat expert, but . . . I too generated an Acrozombie by opening, then backing out of a fascinating, partially correct tract from Mitre Corp about M code tracking (http://www.mitre.org/work/tech_papers/tech_papers_00/betz_codetracking/betz_codetracking.pdf).

Opening Arobat outside of Firebird ;) then closing it seems to clean up Acrozombie. Leaving a tiny PDF file on your desktop expedites the process.

[saimyc]

excellent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[comp_nut]

i don't get it his first step is to create a new folder called
plug_ins_disabled and move the folder plug_in to it but
later in step two sent it to the optional folder instead

:confused:

but if you read the read me text in the optional file thats what
the owners of acrobat are telling you what to do


what do you think a genius or a con

[dajogejr]

comp....what you talkin bout??
;)

I think you read it wrong.

Go to the plug ins folder. Cut all the files and folders from there, EXCEPT for the three he mentioned, and paste them into the optional folder.

Done this on three PCs now, not a single problem. Hardly any lag now, especially opening PDF pages on the net.

[comp_nut]

all i was trying to say i found it strange after moving the
contents to the optional folder i notice a read me file by adobe
stating " Put unused plug-ins in the optional directory "


i guess it pays to read those read me files:D :t

[dajogejr]

Ahh..got it.
I thought you were confused by his directions...sorry..CN!~

[rraehal]

I just read this thread. Amazing boost in speed.

:eek:

[Round Man]

Great Tip! I will make this change to all of old PII 350's at the school so the teachers can save time.
Thanks for the Info.

Round Man, :p

[Paco103]

Now if I could just make it so that IE wouldn't open Word/Excel/Acrobat/etc. as a cute little viewer, and just spawn the REAL application. . . . . I'm tired of PDF's crashing the browser when I close them.

[DaveF]

You can download an app that automates the process of disabling the plug-ins from:

Adobe Reader SpeedUp
http://www.tnk-bootblock.co.uk/prods/misc/index.php

[dajogejr]

Dave...
Why would you download an app, when anyone with a mouse and keyboard can cut and paste the files listed above.

I can tell you I've done this on every computer I've put my hands on...since, and not a single problem.
New, old...and in-between.

I love this tidbit!

[sm8000]

No need to jump all over the new guy. Besides, most people would rather use the app, since most people aren't techies like us.

I bet this idea could be used with a lot of Adobe apps.

[dajogejr]

Aww...wasn't really gettin on him...:)

I think it's easier to cut and paste rather than use yet another customize app.

But...fine point indeed about using it with other adobe apps!

;)

[proskate44]

WOW what a difference! Thanks EldestNorski!

Now what is this zombie that was mentioned?

[sm8000]

The zombie? Say you're surfing a webpage and you click a link to a .pdf document. So Adobe Reader will open it in your browser window. Problem is, once you're done reading and exit the document, going back to the webpage, AcroRd32.exe is still in the process list, consuming 24-36MB of memory! This happens to me on Windows 2000 Pro.

[proskate44]

Ahhhh... Turns out I had a zombie lurking myself... promptly ended that process... thanks, sm8000:D

[Bogowan]

:x Wow, couldn't believe the difference in load speed, great tip:t

[gnom]

A big bug about this solution( speeding up acrobat); you forgot to add that this trick works only with ENG version!!!

[fancyf]

:confused:

I don't have the english version and it worked fine here.
Did you move the files manually or use the "Adobe Reader SpeedUp" prog ?

[gnom]

i didn't use any program... acrobat asks me about missing plugins

[sm8000]

Doesn't matter now, Acrobat Reader 7 loads much faster, and has no zombie problem.

[gnom]

I’ve just done this work with your prog... and to my surprise AR is really speeded up! So please don't bother about my stupid post

[gnom]

Originally posted by sm8000
Doesn't matter now, Acrobat Reader 7 loads much faster, and has no zombie problem. and still is not translated into all lang:p

[Swordfish]

I use Foxit PDF reader now, small, free, and very less on resources.

http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/rd_intro.php