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When you open a PDF file using the Adobe Reader, you might notice a list of files being loaded before your document comes up, mainly plug-ins with .api extensions. As it turns out, you don't need all of those plug-ins in order to read the typical PDF document. Many of these files can be skipped without causing any problem for ordinary use of the Adobe Reader.

I first read about this idea here on the CompuClues Forum where NoClue described which plug-ins could be eliminated from the startup folder. His wise advice, of course, was not to delete the files but to move them to another folder in case you did need them in the future.

I tried this trick on two occasions, and each time, I ended up with a Reader that would freeze before loading the document. I put it in the back of my mind someday to go back and try removing plug-ins one by one until I got to a slim profile that would load.

A Utility to Optimize Reader

By chance I came across a reference to a utility that handles this process and even more. It is called PDF SpeedUP and is published by AcroPDF Systems, http://www.acropdf.com/, a French company that, as stated on its web site, "provides solutions for desktop publishing and paperless automation." The premise of PDF SpeedUp is that there are a number of plug-ins and features loaded with Adobe Reader that one can often do without.

I ran the program on two Pentium III systems, one running Windows 2000 and the other running Windows XP, both using Adobe Reader version 6.0.2. There is no installation procedure--just download and double click. The program opened to a screen with a number of options to pick from, as well as a Restore option that returns Reader to its original state. I chose mainly the default options--a list of plug-ins that would not be loaded and some other changes, such as not showing the splash screen. I did not disable browser integration.

After a brief run of the utility, Reader was optimized. The program worked as I had hoped. PDF files now load as quickly as many HTML pages. I have not noticed any degradation or any problems with documents in the short time I have been using PDF SpeedUp. I have used my optimized Reader in Internet Explorer 6, Opera 7.5, and Firefox 0.93.

I tried the Restore feature, and it proceeded to bring Reader back to its default state. The process was the equivalent of a new install. There was a new icon on the desktop, and the browser went through an initialization process. Restoring was done quickly, and it appeared that the Reader was back to its original configuration.

How It Works

I was curious as to how the program worked and sent an e-mail to the company asking what happened to the plug-ins that were removed. I received a prompt response: "We move all the plug-ins to another folder i.e. the Optional folder, and we also tweak the registry settings to speed up the load of Adobe Reader." So there is an additional step beyond moving plug-ins, and maybe that is why I had success with this program and not with optimizing Reader on my own.

The full list of features as described on the web site are:

• Free PDF Tweak Utility for Adobe Acrobat v3.0 to v5.5, Adobe Reader v6.0, v6.01, v6.02
• Enable or disable the plug-ins as needed
• Turn off all Updates features
• Disable the splash screen during program startup
• Remove the My eBooks folder created in My Documents
• Turn off the advertisements for Adobe products in the upper-right corner of the toolbar
• Remove PrintMe and Adobe Reader icons
• Disable Browser Integration
• Disable confirmation dialog when closing Adobe Reader
• Better speed for LAN and Cable connection
• Clear Adobe Reader Recent Files History
• Restore to original settings at any time

The list of plug-ins can be edited in order to tweak how Reader loads. As explained to me by the company's technical support, the procedure is as follows:

1. Start "PDF SpeedUp", and then click "Optimize"
2. Close "PDF SpeedUp"
3. Start "PDF SpeedUp" again
4. Edit the plug-ins that you want to or do not want to load.

PDF SpeedUp is freeware, with just a minor nag screen on exit advertising the company's PDF conversion program. There is no documentation, so if a user wants to be selective in which options to choose, it would be necessary to do a little self-education. The interface is generally self-explanatory, if a little cluttered.

AcroPDF Systems Products

AcroPDF Systems has another freeware utility for speeding up the loading of Photoshop, called Photoshop SpeedUp. And they have the PDF conversion program mentioned above called AcroPDF, which is shareware. I have not tried either of these, but the cost of AcroPDF is certainly less than that of the full Adobe product, and the feature set appears to be more complete than in the freeware utilities that are out there. The company answered two e-mails promptly when I had questions about their freeware product, so I would expect good technical support.

PDF SpeedUp is a fine solution to a minor but nagging issue. Until I see a problem arise, I will recommend this utility to anyone tired of waiting for PDF documents to load.

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