Quick Answer
pdf-reader-sync.exe is safe. It's a legitimate utility that syncs your PDF reader preferences, bookmarks, and reading progress across devices, ensuring a consistent reading experience.
Is it a Virus?
✔ NO - Safe
Must be located in C:\Program Files\PdfReaderSync\ or C:\Program Files (x86)\PdfReaderSync\
Warning
Multiple processes expected
Sync engine and UI may run as separate processes
Can I Disable?
✔ YES
Disable sync in settings or terminate via Task Manager
What is pdf-reader-sync.exe?
pdf-reader-sync.exe is the background synchronization service behind the PDF Reader Sync tool. It coordinates bookmarks, annotations, and reading progress across devices and user profiles, ensuring a consistent reading experience when you switch between laptops, desktops, tablets, or mobile devices. This process runs quietly to keep your settings aligned.
This service uses a lightweight background thread to push and pull your PDF-related preferences through a cloud account tied to your user profile. It does not render PDFs, but synchronizes metadata and view options to maintain consistency.
Quick Fact: pdf-reader-sync pioneered cross-device PDF synchronization, enabling seamless continuity of reading progress and annotations across ecosystems.
Types of pdf-reader-sync Processes
- Main UI Process: User interface for the PDF reader, settings, and launch actions (1 instance per user profile)
- Sync Engine: Background service that handles cloud sync of bookmarks, annotations, and positions (one or more per device)
- Background Task: Periodic tasks for cache refresh and offline availability
- Updater Process: Checks for and applies updates to the pdf-reader-sync components
- Cloud Connector: Maintains connection with cloud storage for synchronization
- Export/Import Helper: Optional component enabling export/import of settings to/from other PDF apps
Is pdf-reader-sync.exe Safe?
Yes, pdf-reader-sync.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file from the publisher (Acme Soft LLC) downloaded from official sources or installed by your software suite.
Is pdf-reader-sync.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real pdf-reader-sync.exe is NOT a virus. However, malware sometimes masquerades with similar names to trick users.
How to Tell if pdf-reader-sync.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location:: Must be in
C:\Program Files\PdfReaderSync\pdf-reader-sync.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\PdfReaderSync\pdf-reader-sync.exe. Any pdf-reader-sync.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
- Digital Signature:: Right-click the file in Explorer → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show publisher "Acme Soft LLC".
- Resource Usage:: Normal usage is 2-12% CPU and 60-150 MB total memory. Extremely high usage when idle is suspicious.
- Behavior:: pdf-reader-sync.exe should run in the background to sync data or only when the main UI is active. Persistent background activity with no UI may indicate malware.
Red Flags: If pdf-reader-sync.exe is located in unusual folders (like Temp, AppData, or System32), runs when no PDF app is open, has no valid digital signature, or uses excessive resources constantly, scan your system with antivirus software immediately. Look for similarly-named files like "pdf-reader-sync32.exe" from untrusted sources.
Why Is pdf-reader-sync Running on My PC?
pdf-reader-sync runs when you launch the PDF Reader Sync tool or when the built-in background sync is enabled to keep your cross-device preferences up to date. It may also start at Windows boot if configured to do so.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Sync Use: You're actively syncing bookmarks, annotations, or reading progress across devices; the sync engine runs to propagate changes.
- Background Apps: Other connected PDF apps or extensions request background syncing, causing the service to run in the background.
- Startup Program: PdfReaderSync is configured to launch automatically when Windows starts.
- User Sign-In: Signing into your PDF cloud account triggers synchronization of your data.
- Offline Caching: The application preloads certain PDFs or settings for offline access, which can keep the process active.
Can I Disable or Remove pdf-reader-sync?
Yes, you can disable pdf-reader-sync. It's safe to stop its background activity if you don't need cross-device syncing. You can uninstall the product suite if you no longer use it.
How to Stop pdf-reader-sync
- End Individual Tasks: Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), locate pdf-reader-sync.exe and end task
- Disable Startup: Task Manager → Startup → Disable PdfReaderSync
- Turn Off Background Sync: Pdf Reader Settings → Sync → Turn off 'Sync across devices'
- Pause Background Apps: Settings → Apps → PdfReaderSync → Disable background activity
- Uninstall: Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → PdfReaderSync → Uninstall
How to Uninstall PdfReaderSync
- ✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → PdfReaderSync → Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → PdfReaderSync → Uninstall
- ✔ Consider alternative PDF readers: Adobe Acrobat, Foxit, Total PDF
Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage with pdf-reader-sync
If pdf-reader-sync.exe is consuming excessive resources:
Common Causes & Solutions
- Too Much Sync Activity: Limit the number of synced devices and disable non-essential sync targets in settings.
- Background Sync Enabled While Idle: Disable background sync or reduce sync frequency in settings.
- Outdated Software: Update pdf-reader-sync to the latest version from the official source.
- Corrupted Cache: Clear app cache and reset sync data if needed via Settings → Advanced → Reset Sync.
- Conflicting Antivirus Scans: Add an exception for the PdfReaderSync folder or temporarily pause real-time scanning.
- Large PDF Libraries: Pause or stagger synchronization for large libraries; limit concurrent sync operations.
Quick Fixes:
1. Quick Fixes:
2. 1. Open Task Manager and identify pdf-reader-sync processes with high resource usage
3. Pause or disable specific device syncs in PdfReaderSync settings
4. Update to the latest version from the official site
5. Clear application cache and reset sync data if needed
6. Check for conflicting extensions or other sync apps
Frequently Asked Questions
What is pdf-reader-sync in plain terms?
It's a synchronization service that keeps PDF reading preferences, bookmarks, and progress in sync across devices and apps within the PDF Reader Sync ecosystem.
Is pdf-reader-sync.exe safe to run?
Yes, when it's the legitimate file from Acme Soft LLC installed via official channels. Verify location and digital signature to be sure.
Can I disable pdf-reader-sync permanently?
Yes. You can disable its background syncing, disable startup, or uninstall PdfReaderSync if you no longer need cross-device syncing.
Where is pdf-reader-sync.exe located on Windows?
Typically in C:\Program Files\PdfReaderSync\pdf-reader-sync.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\PdfReaderSync\pdf-reader-sync.exe.
How do I uninstall pdf-reader-sync?
Use Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → PdfReaderSync → Uninstall, or use Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → PdfReaderSync.
Why does pdf-reader-sync start at startup?
If configured in Settings or during initial installation, the app may start at Windows startup to keep data synchronized across devices.