Error on saving PDF in Acrobat on Windows 10

Last updated on 30 September 2022

Error on saving PDF in Acrobat on Windows 10 - " The file may be read-only, or another user may have it open".

Problem: Unable to save PDF files in Acrobat on Windows 10

When you save a PDF in Acrobat on Windows 10, you get an error: "The file may be read-only, or another program may have it open. Please save the document with a different name or in a different folder."

Error message when you save PDF file in Acrobat

Solution: Configure the controlled folder access setting in Windows 10 to allow Acrobat

Controlled folder access is a Windows 10 feature that helps protect your documents and files from modification by suspicious applications. The above-mentioned error appears when Acrobat is denied permission to save PDF files on your computer. You have to add Acrobat to the list of safe or allowed applications in controlled access folder settings.

Steps to configure controlled folder access to allow Acrobat

Quit Acrobat, if it's already running.
In Windows, click Start and then click the settings icon. The Windows Settings dialog is displayed.
Click Update & Security.
In the left pane, select Windows Security and then click Virus & threat protection. The Virus and Threat Protection dialog is displayed.
In the Virus & Threat Protection settings, click Manage Settings.
In the settings window, scroll to Controlled Folder Access section, and then click Manage Controlled Folder Access.
Click Allow An App Through Controlled Folder Access.
Click Add An Allowed App. From the drop down list, select Recently Blocked Apps.
Look for Acrobat.exe in the list of recently blocked apps.
To add Acrobat to the list of allowed apps, click the (+) sign.

Acrobat is now successfully added to the list of allowed applications. You can now save any PDF files in Acrobat.