Opening .pdf files in same window

Question

I'm new to AA9 but have used AA7 for a long time.  In AA7, if I had a .pdf file already open on the desktop, and I opened another file by double-clicking on it, the new file would open in the same window.  Then, I could close that file within the window and toggle between numerous files from the "minimize/maximize/close" icons in the window.  Since I work with a lot of maps, it was very convenient to have the icons lined up across the bottom of the page, and open and close them as needed.  Now, with AA9, when I double-click, it opens a new window, complete with all the toolbar icons etc. This is very inconvenient by comparison, and I don't know how to change it.   I've looked through preferences and cannot find an option to fix this.  Is this something I won't be able to accomplish in AA9?  If so, I will go back to using AA7, but I like some of the other features of AA9, so I hope someone knows how to reset this function.  (FYI, I'm using Windows 7, 64-bit, Intel Core 2 Duo, T9600, 6GM RAM, Nvidia GeForce GT230M w/ 1GB DDR memory).  My version of AA9 Pro is part of Adobe Creative Suite CS4.  Thanks.

Answer 1

Hi misterbill1717,
Using Windows 7, 64-bit and Acrobat 7 will result in problematic performance of Acrobat 7.
Acrobat releases prior to 9.2 are not supported by Adobe in Windows 7.
As to Acrobat 7 and 64-bit, see this TechNote:
http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/331/331732.html
So the fundamental issue will be Acrobat 7 in Windows 7.
As to your other concern.
It sounds like you are describing the Multiple Document Interface (MDI) available in the Adobe Reader/Acrobat 8 release(s).
As the article below (via the link) states, Single Document Interface (SDI) was the default in the Adobe Reader/Acrobat 8 release(s).
Change to MDI, with release 8, requires the user to perform the following:
Edit > Preferences > from the Categories: pane, select "Documents" > in the Open Settings pane >
select/check the first (top) entry "Show each document in its own window (requires restart)
Then "OK", close open appliations and restart the local machine.
Now, when one right clicks a link to access the context menu, they can "Open Link in New Window".
In release 9 of Adobe Reader/Acrobat this is no longer available. The article, at the link below, explains why.
Multiple Document Interface (MDI) was dropped in Acrobat 9. For further information check out this article.
MDI vs SDI in Acrobat
http://blogs.adobe.com/acrobat/2008/09/mdi_vs_sdi_in_acrobat.html
Also:
Preference "Show each document in its own window (requires restart)" no longer available in Acrobat/Reader 9.0
TechNote ID: kb405108
http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/405/kb405108.html
Be well...