Imagine you’re deep in your workflow, needing to open a stack of PDFs—say a dozen reports or research papers—but suddenly, your dependable PDF reader fails to cooperate. After the much-anticipated version 24 update to popular PDF apps like Adobe Acrobat, Foxit Reader, and others, many users have discovered that batch-opening multiple PDFs no longer works as expected. For professionals, students, and everyday users alike, this has caused significant disruption. Fortunately, there are real fixes discovered by users in the trenches that can save your productivity and restore your batch capabilities today.
TL;DR
The version 24 update to popular PDF apps has broken the functionality that allows multiple PDFs to open simultaneously through batch selection. This affects drag-and-drop, CTRL+Click and right-click methods in many systems. User reports have revealed a variety of workarounds, such as reverting to a previous version, creating scripts, or changing default app behaviors in OS settings. Follow the detailed steps below to identify your issue and fix it based on your specific PDF tool.
Why PDF Apps Fail to Open Multiple Files After the Update
Before diving into the fixes, it’s crucial to understand what’s causing the issue. With version 24, several major PDF viewers introduced updates primarily centered around performance, security, and UI improvements. Unfortunately, these upgrades also introduced new behaviors that interfere with multi-document handling.
Some of the most common causes based on user feedback include:
- Shell Extension Conflicts: The way your operating system handles file associations may conflict with revised app permissions post-update.
- Sandbox or Protected Mode Features: New security layers may require each PDF to be sandboxed, which limits the ability to open multiple documents simultaneously.
- Registry or Preference Resets: Some preferences related to batch opening were reset during the upgrade process.
- File Handler Overrides: Updates may have unintentionally reassigned the default file handler, confusing the OS’s ‘Open With’ protocol.
Real User Fixes That Work
Let’s examine the most effective community-vetted fixes for Acrobat, Foxit, and other popular PDF readers. These cover the Windows platform primarily, as it’s where most of the batch file opening issues have surfaced.
1. Revert to a Previous Version
Perhaps the fastest way to return to business as usual is to reinstall the last known good version of the software. Users have had success doing the following:
- Uninstall the version 24 update from Programs & Features (Windows).
- Visit the vendor’s official archive or trusted download site.
- Install version 23.006.20320 for Adobe Acrobat or Foxit Reader 12.1, both known to support batch opening.
- Disable automatic updates to prevent future reinstallation of version 24.
Note: Reverting comes with the downside of missing security patches, so it’s a temporary workaround rather than a long-term fix.
2. Use Command Line Scripts to Open Multiple PDFs
Some users have taken advantage of scripting to bypass GUI limitations. If you’re not afraid of a bit of coding:
Start "" "C:\Path\To\PDFApp.exe" "C:\Docs\file1.pdf" Start "" "C:\Path\To\PDFApp.exe" "C:\Docs\file2.pdf" Start "" "C:\Path\To\PDFApp.exe" "C:\Docs\file3.pdf"
Save this as a .bat file (e.g., open_pdfs.bat) and double-click it to open all files simultaneously.
You can even automate it further with PowerShell:
$files = Get-ChildItem "C:\Docs" -Filter *.pdf
foreach ($file in $files) {
Start-Process "C:\Path\To\PDFApp.exe" -ArgumentList $file.FullName
}
This method works regardless of the version and lets you regain batch control.
3. Change the Default File Association Behavior
Windows sometimes misinterprets the default “Open” behavior after updates. You can fix this by:
- Right-click any PDF > Open With > Choose another app.
- Manually browse to your desired PDF app’s executable.
- Check “Always use this app to open .pdf files” and confirm.
This especially helps when drag-and-dropped files fail to launch because Windows is forwarding commands to the wrong handler or an older instance of the software.
4. Disable Protected Mode (Acrobat Specific)
In Adobe Acrobat, the protected mode can sometimes interfere with multi-file handling. Disabling it has helped many users restore batch opening:
- Open Adobe Acrobat.
- Go to Edit > Preferences > Security (Enhanced).
- Uncheck the box labeled “Enable Protected Mode at startup.”
- Click OK and restart Acrobat.
Warning: This reduces the software’s security and is best used temporarily until official fixes are rolled out.
5. Use Alternative Lightweight PDF Apps
If default options fail, switching to a lightweight, batch-friendly PDF reader can save the day. Several lesser-known but powerful apps are immune to the version 24 issue:
- SumatraPDF: Fast and open-source with solid multi-file support.
- PDF-XChange Editor: Feature-rich alternative that supports tabbed views and avoids sandbox restrictions.
- STDU Viewer: Minimalist and batch-friendly.
Many power users now run one of these as a fallback application to handle multiple files until their primary PDF software resolves the issue.
Workarounds for Mac Users
While Windows users are most affected, some Mac users reported similar problems, especially when using Preview or third-party readers like PDF Expert.
Try the following workaround:
- Select all necessary PDFs in Finder.
- Right-click > Open With > Preview (or other reader).
- Hold down the Command key while opening, which forces multi-file load in some cases.
Alternatively, combine the files using Quick Actions in Finder, then split them again using Automator or external tools if needed.
Stay Updated and Engage with Communities
One often overlooked trick is simply keeping in touch with the community. Many of the fixes mentioned above came directly from Reddit, Stack Overflow, GitHub Issues, and specialized tech forums.
Consider joining:
By staying engaged, you can be among the first to know when a permanent fix is released or when unofficial patches become available.
Final Thoughts
As frustrating as the changes in version 24 might be, you’re not powerless. There are multiple proven strategies that users have implemented to regain lost batch functionality. Whether you choose to revert to an older version, automate file opening via scripts, or simply change your PDF reader, solutions are within reach. For the most critical workflows, explore automation or alternative apps until the mainstream tools apply lasting fixes.
Until then, don’t let a broken batch feature break your momentum—power users have lit the path forward. And now, so can you.
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