Operation Manual

Acrobat Reader Help /

Protected View feature for PDFs (Windows)

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Protected mode

Protected view

Privileged Locations

For added security, Acrobat Reader DC contains a protected mode and protected view to keep your computer safe. With

Protected Mode enabled, all operations required by Acrobat Reader DC to display the PDF file are run in a restricted

manner inside a confined environment, the “sandbox.”

Protected mode

By default, Adobe Reader DC runs in protected mode to provide an added layer of security. In protected mode, malicious

PDF documents can’t launch arbitrary executable files or write to system directories or the Windows Registry.

To check the status of protected mode, choose

File > Properties > Advanced > Protected Mode.

Protected mode is enabled by default. To specify the settings, do the following:

1. Choose Edit > Preferences.

In the

Categories list on the left, select Security (Enhanced).

. In the

Sandbox Protections section, select or deselect Enable Protected Mode At Startup.

Enable Create Protected Mode Log File to record events. The changes take effect the next time you start the

application.

Click View Log to open the log file.

Protected view

For additional security and to avoid potential security risks associated with files that may have originated from unsafe

locations, use the Protected View mode. In the Protected View mode, most features are disabled. You can view the

PDF, but not do much else.

In the Protected View, a yellow bar displays on top of the Reader DC window. Click

Enable All Features to exit the

Protected View.