Problem opening PDF files from inside XY

[Jeff Bellune]

System:
Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit
XYplorer version 14.80
64-bit context menus displayed at all times

Steps to reproduce:

• Install full version of Adobe Acrobat 11 (it's still 32-bit software)
  Double-click a PDF file in XY
  Observe Task Manager display the Acrobat process, which then disappears immediately and the file never opens
  Open Acrobat 11
  Double-click a PDF file in XY
  File opens in Acrobat as expected
  Drag a PDF file from XY to the Acrobat icon in the taskbar
  Observe that the PDF file opens as expected
  Close Acrobat
  Right-click a PDF file in XY
  Mouse over the Open With... context menu item
  From the flyout menu select Choose Default Program...
  Choose Keep using Adobe Acrobat
  Observe that Acrobat opens and that the file opens as expected.

NB: MDBU and thumbnail previews both work perfectly. It's only the double-click action from inside XY that doesn't work. Other file types work properly. I'm sure opening PDF files in Acrobat 11 from inside XY worked OK in previous versions of XY (like before 14.50?) but I can't pinpoint the exact time it changed. I've been enduring this issue for a couple of dot versions because I've been very busy. I have a moment now to troubleshoot the problem so here I am.

I fixed this same issue for .html and .htm files when Google Chrome is the default browser by deleting associated registry entries that contain DelegateExecute values, but Acrobat does not have such registry entries.

Any ideas on how I can fix this? Repairing Acrobat and re-installing Acrobat didn't work.

Thanks,
Jeff

[admin]

Right-click a PDF file and select "Open" works as expected?

[Jeff Bellune]

No, it doesn't. I'm sorry I didn't mention that in my first post. I've always thought of the context menu default open as the functional equivalent of a double left-click.

Cheers,
Jeff

[admin]

Does this way work when done in Explorer?

[Jeff Bellune]

Yes. Everything works as expected in Explorer.

[admin]

Did you try XY's 32-bit and 64-bit context menu?

[Jeff Bellune]

I did. Neither one works.

It's like XY tries to get the Acrobat executable and start the program, but it only gets so far before Windows or some other process interrupts the operation.

I have Webroot Secure Anywhere Complete, but the problem remains even when my AV software protection is shut down.

Cheers,
Jeff

[admin]

Well, I cannot explain it then. Another case of Adobe mystery. I repeat what I say for years: Avoid Adobe where you can.

[Jeff Bellune]

Thanks for trying to figure it out.

Sidebar: (TLDR expected. ) I tried a few non-Adobe PDF creation applications (not just readers) many years ago, but none were as good as Acrobat, nor did they produce documents that were as compatible. I rely on Adobe video production and special effects software for my business, and often my PDF files are very graphics-oriented. I couldn't deal with mis-aligned or overlapping graphics and text, so Acrobat was the only solution that guaranteed that PDF documents I sent to my clients, when opened in Reader, looked exactly like they did when I created them.

Cheers,
Jeff

[bdeshi]

I tried a few non-Adobe PDF creation applications (not just readers) many years ago

The usual workflow is usually: create the document in your favorite writer/editor (MS-/Libre- Office etc) then convert to PDF. (But then again I have little experience of Adobe - their recent iteration in any case)
BTW, did you try PDF X-Change Editor?

Avoid Adobe where you can.

Hh. I actually DLed adobe reader, but apparently you just download a downloader, which then needs an adobe account to get the actual reader program (and not to mention the almost literally innumerable registry additions). I didn't have the patience.