Acrotray is a process that is part of Adobe Acrobat software . PDF (Portable Document Format) files . Acrotray launches automatically when Windows and remains active in the background. But what exactly is it used for? Is it safe? And how can you deactivate it if you don't need it? Here are the answers to these questions.
What is Acrotray used for?
Acrotray has several functions:
- It allows you to convert documents to PDF from any Windows application, using the “Print” option or the “Convert to Adobe PDF” context menu.
- It helps manage document to PDF conversion settings, such as quality, security, metadata, etc.
- It allows you to create PDF files from the clipboard, using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Alt+C or the context menu “Create PDF file from clipboard”.
- It allows you to merge multiple PDF files into one, using the “Combine supported files in Acrobat” context menu.
- It allows you to access Adobe Acrobat features without having to open the software, using the “Open with Acrobat” context menu or the Acrotray icon in the taskbar.
Is Acrotray safe?
Acrotray is a legitimate and safe process, which poses no risk to the security or performance of your computer. It does not consume a lot of resources and does not affect your system speed. However, sometimes malware disguises itself as Acrotray to infect your PC. To verify that the Acrotray process you see in Task Manager is indeed Adobe Acrobat, you can follow these steps:
- Right-click on the Acrotray process and choose “Open File Location”.
- Verify that the file is located in the C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Acrobat DC\Acrobat\ or C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat DC\Acrobat\ folder depending on your version of Windows .
- Verify that the file is approximately 2 MB in size and that it was created or modified on the same date as your installation of Adobe Acrobat.
- If you are unsure, you can scan the file with an antivirus or anti-malware program to detect possible threats.
How to disable Acrotray at startup?
If you don't use Adobe Acrobat features often or want to free up RAM, you can disable programs when Windows , including Acrotray. To do this, you have two options:
- Use the System Configuration utility (msconfig):
- Press Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
- Type msconfig and click OK.
- In the Startup tab, uncheck the box corresponding to Acrotray and click Apply then OK.
- Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
- Use the task manager:
- Press Ctrl + Alt + Del keys to open Task Manager.
- Click on the Startup tab and right-click on Acrotray.
- Choose Disable and close Task Manager.
- Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Acrotray:
What is the difference between Acrotray and Acrobat?
Acrobat is Adobe's primary software for creating, editing, and reading PDF files. Acrotray is an add-on program that provides access to certain Acrobat features without having to open the software.
Is Acrotray necessary?
Acrotray is not essential, but it can be useful if you use PDF files often. It allows you to convert, merge or create PDFs from any Windows application, without having to launch Acrobat.
How to reactivate Acrotray at startup?
If you disabled Acrotray on startup and want to re-enable it, you can follow the same steps as disabling it, but check the box for Acrotray instead of unchecking it. Don't forget to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
Does Acrotray slow down my computer?
Acrotray does not slow down your computer because it consumes very few resources. It takes up around 2MB of RAM and 0% CPU. It has no impact on the speed or performance of your system.
How to remove Acrotray?
Acrotray is an integral part of Adobe Acrobat, and it is not possible to remove it without uninstalling the software. If you no longer want to use Acrobat, you can uninstall it from the Windows Control Panel, by choosing “Programs and Features” then “Uninstall a program”. Select Adobe Acrobat and click Uninstall. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation.
Conclusion
Acrotray is a useful process for Adobe Acrobat users to create and manage PDF files easily. In particular, it allows you to convert your PDFs into interactive forms , which you can fill out and sign online. It is not dangerous or resource intensive, but it can be disabled at startup if desired. However, you should be careful not to confuse Acrotray with malware that could be hiding under the same name.
