How to Fix High Usage by RdrCEF.exe issue

RdrCEF.exe is an essential part of the Adobe Acrobat Reader or AcroCEF.exe process. Usually, this process runs in the backyard, maintaining a steady connection with the Adobe Cloud services, while you are busy documenting your pdf on the forefront. Normally, this RdrCEF thread consumes an insignificant amount of client resources. But, some users have reported a problem where this RdrCEF.exe is showing abnormal disk usage on their machines.

 

Fix 1 – Check whether the RdrCEF is a malware

You should test whether this RdrCEF is actually malware or not.

1. You need to access the Task Manager utility.

2. So, press the Win key and the X keys together.

3. Then, you can tap “Task Manager” to access it.

 

Task Manager Min

 

4. After the Task Manager utility shows up on your screen, just scroll down to the ‘Background Apps’ section.

5. Here, you shall find the “RdrCEF” process. Just, right-click on the process and tap “Open file location“.

 



Open File Location Rdrcef Min

 

This will directly lead you to the actual location of the RdrCEF.exe file.

6. Just check whether this is the location or not –

C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Acrobat Reader DC\ Reader\AcroCEF

 

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If that’s not the case, this RdrCEF.exe might be malware or a virus. You have to quarantine/exterminate it. If you can’t directly remove it, jump to Fix 6 to run a system-wide Windows Security scan.

 

Fix 2 – Rename the file

You may fix this issue by renaming the executable RdrCEF.exe and RdlServicesUpdater.exe application.

1. Before you proceed, make sure that the Adobe Acrobat Reader app is closed.

2. At first, open File Explorer.

3. Then, go to this address –



C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Acrobat Reader DC\ Reader\AcroCEF

 

4. When you reach the AcroCEF folder, you will find several files.

5. Locate the “RdrCEF” application. Now, just right-click the file and tap “Rename“.

6. Now, rename the file to “RdrCEF_old.exe“.

 

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7. After this, following the same way, find and right-click on the “RdlServicesUpdater” application name and tap “Rename“.

8. Rename it to “RdlServicesUpdater_old“.

 

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9. If you see a warning prompt, tap “Continue” to proceed.

 

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Once you are done, close the Adobe Reader app and relaunch it once more. Head on to the Task Manager and check whether RdrCEF is still showing high disk usage or not.

 

Fix 3 – Update the Adobe Acrobat

Try to update the Adobe Acrobat Reader to the latest version.

1. Launch the Adobe Acrobat Reader, if it isn’t opened yet.

2. When the app opens up, tap on the last option “Help” and then, from the drop-down tap “Check for Updates…“.

 

Adobe Reader Help Check For Updates Min

 

3. Adobe Reader Updater will now search for the latest version of the app.

 

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Once the update package is downloaded, it will be downloaded and installed.

 

Fix 4 – Repair Adobe Acrobat Reader DC

Repairing the Adobe Reader core files should be helpful if there are some corrupted app files.

1. You need to press the Win key +R keys together.

2. Then, write this down and click “OK” to access the

appwiz.cpl

 

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This shall open the Programs and Features page in Control Panel.

3. You should see the “Adobe Acrobat Reader DC” app.

4. Now, just select it and tap “Change” to modify the app.

 

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5. In the Adobe Acrobat Reader DC Setup window, click on the “Repair” option.

6. Then, click on “Next“.

 

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Adobe Acrobat Reader will now repair the existing core Adobe Reader files. You have nothing but to wait.

7. Once it is done, you can tap “Finish” to complete the process.

 

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Once the whole process is finished, launch the Adobe Acrobat Reader app. Check the disk usage of the RdrCEF.exe process.

 

Fix 5 – Uninstall Adobe Reader and reinstall

If RdrCEF is still eating up a lot of disk processing, just uninstall

1. Tap on the Settings icon on your taskbar or you can just press the Win key+I keys together.

2. You will find the “Apps” settings on the left-hand pane. Select it.

3. After that, click “Apps & Features” settings on the opposite side.

 

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4. You will find the complete list of the apps installed on your system.

5. If you scroll down slowly, you will find the “Adobe Acrobat Reader CC” app.

6. Now, tap on the three-dot icon and further click on “Uninstall“.

7. You will see an additional prompt to assert your action. Tap “Uninstall” in the prompt.

 

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8. On the Adobe Reader Setup page, select the “Remove” option.

9. After that, click “Next” to proceed.

 

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Adobe Acrobat Reader will be uninstalled from your system. Now, just reinstall the Adobe Reader again. This will stop the issue for sure.

 

Fix 6 – Use Windows Security

You can use the Windows Security app to find any malware and remove it from the system.

1. You have to open the Windows Security app.

2. So, tap the Windows key+R keys together.

3. Then, just write down this and hit Enter.

windowsdefender:

 

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4. When you land on the Windows Security page, tap “Virus & threat protection” settings.

 

Virus And Threat Protection

 

5. On the next page, you will see the results of previous scans and many more options.

6. In here, just tap “Scan options” to access it.

 

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7. Now, select the “Full Scan” and click on the “Scan Now” button to run a full system-wide scan.

 

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Next, just wait for a while for this scanning process to finish. Once the suspected files are taken care of, go ahead and restart your system.

Check if this stops the issue or not.