For several years I’ve been using Adobe Reader to open and view PDF files on my computer.
Although I am happy with Adobe Reader in general, there are some small things that break my nerves. Fortunately, they can be fixed. One of these is that I am forced to view the sidebar every time I open a PDF file as shown in the image.
I do not use the sidebar, why should I close it every time? Ok, it’s not a real issue but it’s these small details that make the difference.
In previous versions of Adobe Reader, you had to live with it. Fortunately, in the latest versions has been added a setting that allows you to hide the sidebar (or, tools pane), in some way. If you feel me and want to get rid of this superfluous click, see how to hide the sidebar in Adobe Reader in the following steps.
Hide Tools Pane sidebar in Adobe Reader
First, open the View menu, then the Show / Hide sub menu and click on the Tools Pane option. Alternatively, use the Shift + F4 shortcut. This way you have hidden the sidebar, temporarily.
To hide it forever, you’ll need to enable a setting through Adobe Reader settings. Open the Edit menu and click Preferences.
Here in the Documents section, enable the Remember the current state of Tools Pane option and click OK to save your change.
That’s it!
Now every time you open Adobe Reader on your computer, the sidebar will no longer appear automatically unless you want it.
My Adobe Acrobat Pro DC does not have the option to Remember the current state of Tools Pane. That area in my Preferences window is just blank.
That’s strange. Are you on the latest version of Adobe Reader?
Thanks