Create a smaller, faster Adobe Reader 7

Jun 03, '05 09:22:00AM

Contributed by: nemoinis

You can optimize Adobe Reader 7 by removing unnecessary plug-ins. Here's how I did it. Note that this tip requires write access to /Applications):

If you don't care about following web hyperlinks in documents you read, you can move all plug-ins except Search into the disabled folder. Since I have also disabled automatic Reader updates, I don't need the updater plug-in, but you may want to keep it in otherwise. To re-enable a plug-in, drag it (and any other plug-in it depends on) back to the "Plug-ins" folder.

With plug-ins disabled, my Reader is faster and uses a smaller memory footprint -- 18.5MB versus 26MB of real memory, and 187MB versus 230MB of virtual memory.

[robg adds: You can also disable plugins through the Finder's Get Info window. Just click on the Reader application, hit Command-I, and then expand the Plug-Ins section. Disable those you don't wish to use. The above method has the advantage of being somewhat easier to work with, as the Plug-Ins section is tiny and requires a *lot* of scrolling about.]

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