Diagnostics.Process doesn't open PDF file using adobe reader

Question

I'm having a problem while trying to open a PDF file using Process.Start(). The program runs the process as a background process but no adobe reader window show up. A solution i found was to use chrome.exe, but my client want to open on adobe-reader, as it's the default windows program.

(I have also trying without forcing "AcroRd32.exe" and passing the full path of "AcroRd32.exe". Same problem).

Anyone solved this?

My code:

var p = new Process
{
    StartInfo = new ProcessStartInfo(@"AcroRd32.exe", @"D:\Tests\81803130000326__.pdf")
};
p.Start();

Background Processes:

I also have checked this question: Process.Start(/* path to pdf */) doesn't work with Adobe Reader on Windows 8

Edits

EDIT INFO: Forgot to say i'm running Windows 10 with Adobe Reader DC 2018.009.20044

EDIT 2: Found a "problem" of Adobe Reader DC. It mantains a level of security that doesn't let me run it as administrator (don't ask me why). Check this link for more information: https://forums.adobe.com/thread/1955530

Now I'll try to find a solution to run it without administrator privileges, or ask my client to uncheck the checkbox

Solution

So, I've found a solution for my problem. The Adobe Reader, since version 10.0, has a "Protected Mode" setting. I wrote a code to change that setting in the registry, so the user won't need to do that. Link: https://www.adobe.com/devnet-docs/acrobatetk/tools/AppSec/protectedmode.html

I hope it helps others in the future!

Solution Code:

var registroAdobe = Registry.LocalMachine.OpenSubKey(@"Software\Policies\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\DC\", true);
registroAdobe.SetValue("bProtectedMode", 0);

This works for Acrobat Reader DC. You can run through "Software\Policies\Adobe\" Products and Versions if you need it.

Godred

Try passing in the full path to AcroRd32.exe. – Kalvn

I open direct the pdf file, System.Diagnostics.Process.Start("output.pdf");, this use the default pdf viewer that you have installed in your computer. – Cacuminal

@Kalvn Like i said, i got the same problem :( – Godred

@PabloTondolodeVargas Same thing occours. All these works the same way. The system\program understants and open the process, but doesn't open the adobe reader window – Godred

What's your default program to open pdf files? – Cacuminal

@PabloTondolodeVargas Adobe Reader DC 2018.009.20044 (updated that now) – Godred

@Wesley, pass the full path to AcroRd32.exe, like this ` StartInfo = new ProcessStartInfo(@"C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Acrobat Reader DC\Reader\AcroRd32.exe", @"D:\temp\demonstrativo.pdf")` – Cacuminal

Does your program run as a Windows Service, or otherwise on Session 0 (e.g. Windows Task Scheduler)? Then you can't trivially start applications in the session of the current user. See #4278873, #5627904 – Preshrunk

Doesn't work, @PabloTondolodeVargas :( thanks! CodeCaster I'm trying using a new console application for that. The code is literally just that. Discovered the problem on adobe forums. The problem is really Adobe Reader DC. Check my new EDIT – Godred

Solution Found! thank you guys! – Godred

Answer 1

Actually, I found that this didn't work on my computer, but it led me to look deeper. I found my solution to be:

var regAdobe = Registry.CurrentUser.OpenSubKey(@"Software\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\DC\Privileged", true);
regAdobe.SetValue("bProtectedMode", 0);

Very similar, but ended up having to edit the user setting rather than the local machine's setting.

Cheers!

Quiet

Answer 2

You can directly use System.Diagnostics.Process.Start("") to open with default pdfreader program on respective client system.

Tuscany