Disable Protected Mode by going to Edit > Preferences > Security (Enhanced) and deselecting Enable Protected Mode at startup.
Last updated on
Mar 28, 2025
Protected Mode overview
Protected Mode is Adobe's primary defense-in-depth security strategy for mitigating and preventing security vulnerabilities. It protects you by limiting what malicious files can do and access. It runs silently in the background while protecting your hardware and data.
Conflicts with antivirus software on Windows
Acrobat can have compatibility issues with anti-virus software when it intercepts system calls for the Acrobat sandbox. In such cases, Acrobat can fail to open, crash, or display an incompatible configuration dialog box.
For example, Protected Mode is known to be incompatible with:
- Trend Micro antivirus version 15 or earlier. Adobe recommends updating to Trend Micro version 16 or higher. For more information, see Can’t verify your subscription status | Acrobat, Trend Micro Antivirus.
- Kaspersky Security for Virtualization 5.1 Light Agent. Adobe recommends updating to the latest version of Kaspersky Security for Virtualization Light Agent.
- Palo Alto’s Traps version 5 or lower. Adobe recommends updating to the latest version of Traps.
- Some Symantec Endpoint Protection configurations. Adobe recommends updating Symantec Endpoint Protection to 11.0 RU6 MP2 or higher.
Adobe is working with anti-virus companies to resolve these problems.
Incompatible third-party plug-ins on Windows
Protected Mode restricts certain file and registry operations that might break some functionalities of third-party plug-ins. In such a case, update the plug-in or contact the plug-in vendor.
Protected Mode is known to be incompatible with the following third-party plug-ins:
- iManage
- Heidelberg
- Enfocus PitStop
- PDFLib
- Common Look PDF Validator
- PfxEngagement by Wolters Kluwer
Adobe is working with the plug-in vendors to resolve the problems.
Note:
Some plug-in vendors might ask you to disable Protected Mode in Acrobat while using their plug-ins. Adobe doesn’t recommend permanently disabling Protected Mode. Turning on Protected Mode in Acrobat is highly recommended after completing your workflow.
P11 smart card installation fails
Installing some smart cards doesn't work for Acrobat users in Protected Mode. Protected Mode sandboxes certain processes that make system calls so smart card installation can fail or result in the "unsupported configuration" dialog box. However, a simple workaround is available. Install the smart card software with Protected Mode turned off as follows:
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Restart Acrobat.
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Install the smart card software according to the provider's instructions.
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Enable Protected Mode.
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Restart Acrobat.
Note:
For FAQs and information about registry configuration and creating custom policies, view the Protected Mode chapter in the Application Security Guide.
