sumatra opens the same files multiple times

[claudiotam]

Hello!
I have a problem with sumatra on win11 in disabled tabs mode.
I double click on file1, and sumatra correctly opens file1.
Then I double click on file2.
Sumatra opens file1 again (duplicate windows) and file2.
Then I double click on file3.
Sumatra opens file1 and file2 again (duplicate windows) and file3.
Is this normal? How do I correct this strange behaviour? I tried other pdf readers and they don't behave like this.

[claudiotam]

If I put option "remember opened files" off, then it behaves normally (one double-click one window). But it also forgets page and zoom of every pdf file, so I would like to keep this option on.

[GitHubRulesOK]

I think this should have been fixed in current pre-release https://www.sumatrapdfreader.org/prerelease

[claudiotam]

the problem also appears in the current pre-release

[MarcoNovaro]

I have the same issue as well (Windows 10). Currently I'm working with "remember opened files" OFF, but I'd like to see a fix for this problem...

[mayakot98]

I am having the same problem on win 11. I handled the issue by using older 3.4.6 version from https://www.sumatrapdfreader.org/download-prev

[kjk]

This should be fixed in latest pre-release version https://www.sumatrapdfreader.org/prerelease

[mayakot98]

I have already check the Pre-Release. Problem Still persists

[claudiotam]

Problem persists also in the pre-release; same behaviour of the OP.

[kjk]

Which version of pre-release? If it's not 15900, then check again.

If it still happens, then provide:

• step-by-step instructions to repro
• do you have tabs enabled or disabled?
• what is ReuseInstance advanced setting?
• when you reproduce it, use Ctrl + K, Show Log and attach the log

[kjk]

Setting advanced setting ReuseInstance = true should fix it.

I thought I've added a work-around even when ReuseInstance = false but seems there's a bug there.

[mayakot98]

Video_2023-11-22_065253.mp4

[kjk]

@mayakot98 What you show is expected behavior.

You have multiple files open and you close Sumatra. We save the session.

You double click on a file which opens the file and also restores the 3 files from session because that's the expected behavior for most people.

You can set RestoreSession = false to disable restoring the session but it'll disable it always.

[mayakot98]

from above solution my one problem is solved but still it always open home tab along with the file.

please suggest any solution . below is a short demo

Video_2023-11-22_232229.mp4

[GitHubRulesOK]

@mayakot98
home tab is an advanced setting NoHomeTab = true should do that

[mayakot98]

Thanks it solves my problem.

[vrubleg]

I disable tabs, so all documents are open in separate windows. Whenever I open a document, SumatraPDF v3.5.2 also opens another window with the previously closed document. So instead of 1 window with one document that I just opened I get 2 windows. Is it the same issue or another one?

[vrubleg]

OK, disabling "remember opened files" fixes the issue. But this setting makes zero sense for mode without tabs, it should be disabled by default.

[kjk]

If you set ReuseInstance = true advanced setting it should fix it.
Or upgrade to latest pre-release https://www.sumatrapdfreader.org/prerelease

[claudiotam]

These are the default values, after installing a fresh version of sumatra and setting use tabs = false.

default values for v3.5.2

restore session = true
reuse instance = false

default values for v3.6.15900

restore session = true
reuse instance = true

I've tried all 8 combinations with these findings.

• The version does not change the outcome.
• The option reuse instance does not change the outcome.
• The option restore session always doesn't work if set to true; always works if set to false.

So, I just use restore session = false and the bug is solved.

NOTE: to me, it makes no sense to have use tabs = false and restore session = true at the same time; and this is an almost default configuration. This is just a note, the problem is solved.

[GitHubRulesOK]

@claudiotam Just a comment that, the common use for tab-less and restore pairs of files as a session was as far as I recall mainly for side by side viewing before tabs were added and with tabs before tear off tabs or new window)

Where-as reuse instance was originally needed for LaTeX previewing, where one tab-less window needed constant reuse (no fresh windows on reload). When tabs arrived the suggestion was use tabs with change reuse to true (as preferable, now the default?)

Restore session is for multiple windows or now tabs to re-appear on restart as groups

[Back-T0]

Whenever I try to open a file twice in Sumatra, it keeps pointing to the one that's already open. Is there a way to fix this through the advanced settings?

[GitHubRulesOK]

@Back-T0
see my comment above the control for reuse is ReuseInstance = true
so if its set to true then try with it set to false (close and restart SumatraPDF to test how it is working. however see below.

IF I have tabs OFF I get 2 windows for same file OR I can duplicate with CTRL + SHIFT + N
With TABS ON I dont get a second window so only CTRL + SHIFT + N will start a second window with same file OR use -new-window on command line

[kjk]

Assuming you use tabs.

If you drag&drop, it'll open in a new tab.

You can use Ctrl + K command Open Current Document In New Window.

[kjk]

Also, if you use Ctrl + K and select a file from the list of recently opened files at the top, it opens in a new tab

[kjk]

in next pre-release if you press Ctrl while double-clicking to open, should always open in a new tab (vs. activating a tab if already loaded).

[Back-T0]

This is undoubtedly the better option

[Mr-Rayman]

I do have the same problem in current release 3.6.1 (64 bit). This is very annoying, all previous files are opened in separate windows when just double-clicking one PDF from the filesystem (I don't use the tabbed view).

Btw: This works as workaround:
restore session = false