Hide Tools Pane sidebar in Adobe Reader permanently

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.

Hide Tools Pane sidebar in Adobe Reader permanently

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.

Hide Tools Pane sidebar in Adobe Reader permanently

To hide it forever, you’ll need to enable a setting through Adobe Reader settings. Open the Edit menu and click Preferences.

Hide Tools Pane sidebar in Adobe Reader permanently

Here in the Documents section, enable the Remember the current state of Tools Pane option and click OK to save your change.

Hide Tools Pane sidebar in Adobe Reader permanently

That’s it!

Now every time you open Adobe Reader on your computer, the sidebar will no longer appear automatically unless you want it.

About Dimitris Tonias 144 Articles
My name is Dimitris Tonias, IT Pro, G(r)eek, focused on Server, Virtualization, and Cloud technologies.

14 Comments on Hide Tools Pane sidebar in Adobe Reader permanently

  1. 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.

  2. My Adobe Acrobat Pro DC how to permanent hide Tools Pane.
    much more time we have tried but now save it setting, kindly help.

  3. Yes I have that option. It works with the bookmark pane, but not with the TOOLS pane, ironically. The Tools pane still opens for me.

    • Ok I thought it worked but no, that option only remembers the bookmark sidebar status next time you open that specific pdf file. But if you open a different file, the sidebar is open. So you still have to close the sidebars for each file at least once.

      In either case, for me the Tools sidebar is still open. You gave me hope and now it is back to square one.

  4. No, this is not working.
    “Remember current state” is per document. Where is the option to turn off this annoying thing for ALL documents by default.

  5. I wish there is nothing on the right and left side but a page scroller.
    Is there way to get rid of them (even those 2 arrows on the right and left) completely?

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