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Microsoft Print to PDF automatically opens the file - how do I prevent this?

Ren C 5 Reputation points
2025-07-25T10:09:44.5133333+00:00

I used to be able to 'Microsoft Print to PDF' my emails within Outlook to save copies - Since a recent Windows Update the pdf files are automatically opening after I save them - how do I prevent them from opening? I can't find a resolution online and this issue is slowing my productivity.

Outlook | Windows | Classic Outlook for Windows | For home

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  1. roger palay 45 Reputation points
    2025-09-12T00:06:06.36+00:00

    I think the problem is Acrobat Reader. There is a setting there for "Always open PDFs from printer". I unchecked that, went to the end of the page to click OK and the problem seems to have disappeared.

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  2. Rhonda Garvin 0 Reputation points
    2025-12-04T22:44:00.0566667+00:00

    I just started having the same problem and the suggestions here helped - thank you!

    However, the wording of the settings were different in my version - probably it's been updated/changed this the original post.

    So, in Adobe's General settings, there wasn't any "print" options, but the following options:

    • "Always open PDFs exported from MS Office"
    • "Always open PDFs saved from the web".

    I turned both off (just the first one may have solved this particular problem), and now it has stopped opening the PDF after printing with "Microsoft Print to PDF".

    Seriously Adobe. Stay in your corner - I'll use you when I want to! 😂

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  3. Ren C 5 Reputation points
    2025-07-28T14:55:02.13+00:00

    Hi, this did not help - it worked for an individual example but does the same thing with each new example - any other ideas welcome as it is really slowing me down - thanks

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  4. AceRobertT 14,430 Reputation points
    2025-07-25T11:11:47.1+00:00

    Hello Ren. This behavior has surprised many users with updates. While Microsoft Print to PDF does not contain a toggle to prevent auto-opening, this is typically due to the default PDF viewer (i.e. Edge or Adobe Reader) executing what is ultimately a system request.

    Here is a way to potentially stop it that you can try:

    1. Print to PDF as you normally would.
    2. When the PDF opens automatically, simply close it.
    3. Go to the folder where the PDF has actually saved.
    4. Right-click the file → Properties → uncheck "Opens with" if it shows a preview handler (a lot of apps launch automatically based on file association). Or, choose the default app to launch it as one that does not auto-open the default window.

    If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

    Best regards,

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