SumatraPDF Favorites Not Saving: How to Fix It

When SumatraPDF favorites are not saving, the problem usually falls into one of four categories: SumatraPDF cannot write its settings, the document was moved or renamed, a cleanup tool removed the saved state, or the item being checked is a document outline rather than a SumatraPDF favorite. Favorites are stored as part of SumatraPDF's settings and document history, not written into the PDF itself. That distinction explains why reinstalling the reader or editing the document often does not solve the problem.

The steps below begin with a controlled test using one local PDF. Follow them in order and stop as soon as a favorite survives a restart and opens the expected page. There is no benefit in resetting more settings after the feature starts working.

1. Confirm the Symptom With One Local PDF

Before changing permissions or deleting configuration files, determine exactly what is failing. Testing with one ordinary PDF stored on the local drive removes cloud synchronization, removable media, network permissions, unusual formats, and changing filenames from the equation.

1.1 Create a controlled favorites test

1. Copy a normal, unrestricted PDF to a simple local folder such as your Documents folder.
2. Open that copy directly in SumatraPDF.
3. Go to a page that is easy to recognize.
4. Use SumatraPDF's command for adding the current page to favorites.
5. Confirm that the new favorite appears in the Favorites interface.
6. Close SumatraPDF normally, wait a few seconds, and reopen the same PDF from the same location.
7. Check whether the favorite remains and whether selecting it opens the correct page.

Success means the favorite remains visible after a complete application restart and opens the saved page. If that happens, SumatraPDF can persist favorites. The original failure is probably tied to a particular document, location, filename, or launch method. Stop changing global settings and compare the working test with the original file.

If the favorite disappears from the local test, the problem is more likely to involve settings persistence, write permissions, portable mode, security software, or a cleanup process.

1.2 Separate three different symptoms

These similar-looking failures have different causes:

• The favorite vanishes immediately: the add command may not have been completed, the wrong interface may be open, or the current format may not be handled as expected.
• The favorite remains until SumatraPDF closes: the application can update its in-memory state but may be unable to save its settings file.
• The favorite remains but does not open the document or page: the source file may have moved, its path may have changed, or the document's page structure may differ from when the favorite was created.

2. Check the SumatraPDF Feature and Document Identity

2.1 Distinguish favorites from document outlines

SumatraPDF favorites are user-created shortcuts associated with a document and page. A PDF outline, sometimes called document bookmarks or a table of contents, is embedded in the document by its creator. These are separate features.

If entries in the table-of-contents panel are missing, restoring SumatraPDF's favorites will not recreate them. Open another PDF known to contain a table of contents. If its outline appears normally, the original PDF probably lacks an embedded outline or contains one that SumatraPDF cannot interpret. Conversely, if a manually added favorite disappears after restart, settings persistence is the relevant issue.

2.2 Verify that you are opening the same file

Favorites are associated with the source document's identity, including its saved path. A favorite can appear missing when Windows or another application has changed that path. Common examples include:

• Renaming the PDF after adding the favorite
• Moving it into another folder
• Opening a second downloaded copy with a modified filename
• Switching between a local copy and a cloud-synchronized copy
• Opening a file from an email attachment or temporary browser download directory
• Changing the drive letter of a USB drive or external disk
• Using two similarly named files from different folders

In SumatraPDF, inspect the full path of the opened document where possible, or use Windows File Explorer to locate it. Reopen the exact file from its original path. If the favorite returns, SumatraPDF was working and the apparent loss was caused by a path change.

If you intentionally moved the document, add a new favorite to the relocated copy and test it across a restart. Once the new favorite works, remove any obsolete entry associated with the previous location.

2.3 Test the relevant format directly

SumatraPDF supports more than PDF, including several eBook, comic, help, image, and document formats. Favorites behavior can depend on whether a format has stable pages and whether supporting components can open it consistently. First prove that favorites persist with a local PDF. Then repeat the test with the affected EPUB, MOBI, CBZ, CBR, CHM, DjVu, XPS, image, or other supported file.

If the PDF test succeeds but the other format fails, do not reset all settings immediately. Confirm that the file opens reliably, that its content is not changing between sessions, and that any required external component is functioning. Reflowable eBooks can also behave differently from fixed-page documents because layout may change with window size, font settings, or display configuration.

3. Check Windows and the SumatraPDF Launch Mode

3.1 Identify installed versus portable mode

An installed copy and a portable copy may not use the same settings location. A portable copy commonly keeps its configuration alongside the executable, while an installed copy normally uses the Windows user profile. As a result, launching different copies can produce different favorites lists.

Check the path of the SumatraPDF executable you are currently running. Then look for other copies in Downloads, a tools folder, a USB drive, or Program Files. Also verify which executable Windows uses when you double-click a PDF.

A simple comparison is useful:

1. Open SumatraPDF from the shortcut you normally use and add a test favorite.
2. Close it completely.
3. Double-click the same PDF in File Explorer.
4. Check whether the favorite appears.

If the results differ, the shortcut and file association probably launch separate copies or configurations. Choose one installation, set it as the default application if desired, and remove or clearly label obsolete portable copies. Success means opening SumatraPDF directly and opening a file by double-clicking both show the same favorites.

3.2 Check portable-folder write permissions

Portable mode can fail to save favorites if its folder is read-only or protected. This is especially common when the executable is placed under Program Files, launched from read-only media, stored in a restricted network folder, or extracted into a location controlled by another account.

Move a test copy of the portable package to a user-writable folder, such as a dedicated folder inside Documents. Run it normally, not as administrator, add a favorite to the local test PDF, close the application, and reopen it.

If the favorite now survives, the original portable folder was preventing settings updates. Keep the portable application in a writable location or use the installed edition. Running as administrator may temporarily hide a permission problem, but it is not a good permanent fix because it creates inconsistent settings and unnecessary privilege.

3.3 Review security and cleanup tools

Windows security controls, third-party antivirus software, profile-management tools, and privacy cleaners can block or remove application configuration. The timing offers an important clue. If favorites survive an immediate restart but disappear after signing out, rebooting, or running maintenance software, investigate cleanup rules rather than SumatraPDF's add-favorite command.

Look for rules that delete application data, recent-document history, portable application settings, or files named SumatraPDF-settings.txt. If a tool offers exclusions, exclude only the legitimate SumatraPDF configuration location. Do not disable security software broadly.

Success means the settings file remains present and retains the newly added favorite after the cleanup or reboot event that previously erased it.

3.4 Consider external components only when relevant

Codecs, Ghostscript, printer drivers, and external conversion tools are not typical causes of favorites disappearing from an ordinary PDF. They become relevant only if the document itself fails to open, renders unpredictably, changes during conversion, or is being viewed through an unusual workflow.

If a PostScript or converted document is involved, create a stable local PDF and test favorites there. If printing is the only failure, troubleshoot the printer driver separately. Do not install random codecs or replace Ghostscript merely because favorites are missing. A favorite that disappears after restart points first to settings persistence, not rendering or printing.

4. Inspect or Reset SumatraPDF-settings.txt Safely

SumatraPDF stores preferences and per-document state in a text-based settings file named SumatraPDF-settings.txt. Favorites can be represented within the saved state for their associated documents. If the file cannot be updated, is repeatedly replaced, or contains damaged state, favorites may not persist.

4.1 Back up the settings before editing

1. Close every SumatraPDF window.
2. Locate SumatraPDF-settings.txt in the configuration location used by the active copy.
3. Copy the file to a safe folder.
4. Give the backup a recognizable name, such as SumatraPDF-settings-backup.txt.

This backup may contain preferences and document history in addition to favorites. Treat it as private if filenames or paths reveal sensitive information.

4.2 Test whether the file is being updated

Note the settings file's modified date and time. Start SumatraPDF, add a favorite to the local test PDF, and close the application normally. Check the timestamp again.

If the timestamp advances, SumatraPDF is writing to that file. Reopen the PDF and see whether the favorite survived. If the timestamp does not change, confirm that you found the settings file used by the running executable. Also inspect the file and folder properties for read-only status and verify that your Windows account can create and modify files there.

Do not manually change unfamiliar settings while SumatraPDF is open. The application can overwrite edits when it exits.

4.3 Perform a reversible settings reset

If SumatraPDF updates the settings file but favorites still fail, perform a reversible reset:

1. Close SumatraPDF completely.
2. Confirm that the backup exists.
3. Rename the active settings file to SumatraPDF-settings-old.txt.
4. Start SumatraPDF so it can create fresh settings.
5. Open the local PDF, add one favorite, close SumatraPDF, and reopen it.

If the favorite persists with fresh settings, the previous configuration or saved document state was likely involved. Reconfigure only the options you actually need. Avoid copying the entire old file over the new one because doing so may restore the problem.

If the reset changes nothing, keep the backup and continue to the clean temporary test. You can restore the old configuration by closing SumatraPDF, removing the newly generated file, and renaming the backup to its original name.

5. Run a Clean Temporary Test

A clean temporary test separates an application problem from an installation, profile, association, or settings problem without immediately uninstalling anything.

1. Download SumatraPDF only from its official website or official project source.
2. Place a portable test copy in a new writable folder under your user profile.
3. Do not copy your existing settings into that folder.
4. Copy one ordinary PDF into another local writable folder.
5. Open the PDF from the temporary SumatraPDF copy.
6. Add one favorite and confirm that it appears.
7. Close the application normally and reopen the same PDF with the same executable.

If the clean copy saves the favorite, the document and core application behavior are sound. The cause is likely the original settings file, the original folder's permissions, a conflicting SumatraPDF copy, or the Windows file association. Stop testing document codecs and focus on those differences.

If the clean copy also fails, repeat the test under a normal local Windows user profile if one is available. Managed workplace computers can apply policies that reset profile data or prevent applications from writing to certain folders. In that situation, an administrator may need to confirm whether application settings are redirected or deleted.

Reinstall only after the clean test. A standard reinstall may leave user settings untouched, so it does not necessarily repair a damaged or unwritable settings file. Likewise, uninstalling before backing up the configuration can destroy useful evidence and saved preferences.

6. Quick Fix Checklist

• Test one ordinary PDF stored in a local, writable folder.
• Confirm that you added a SumatraPDF favorite, not a PDF outline entry.
• Close SumatraPDF normally and reopen the exact same file.
• Check whether the document was renamed, moved, replaced, or opened from a temporary folder.
• Verify that shortcuts and Windows file associations launch the same SumatraPDF copy.
• Move portable SumatraPDF out of protected or read-only locations.
• Check whether SumatraPDF-settings.txt updates after closing the application.
• Back up the settings file before renaming or resetting it.
• Review privacy cleaners or profile tools that may erase application state.
• Run a fresh portable copy in a writable temporary folder before reinstalling.

Stop when a newly created favorite remains after restart and opens the intended page. Once that test succeeds, additional resets can create new problems without improving the result.

7. Frequently Asked Questions

7.1 Are SumatraPDF favorites stored inside the PDF?

No. SumatraPDF favorites are application state associated with a document. They are different from bookmarks or outlines embedded in the PDF. Sending the PDF to another computer will not automatically transfer your SumatraPDF favorites.

7.2 Why did favorites disappear after I moved a document?

The saved entry can be associated with the document's previous path. When the filename, folder, drive letter, or storage location changes, SumatraPDF may treat the relocated file as a different document. Add a new favorite to the file in its permanent location and verify it across a restart.

7.3 Why do favorites appear in one launch but not another?

You may be running an installed copy and a portable copy with separate configuration files. A shortcut, taskbar icon, command, or Windows file association can point to a different executable. Compare executable locations and standardize on one copy.

7.4 Will reinstalling SumatraPDF restore missing favorites?

Usually not if the underlying problem is an unchanged user settings file, a cleanup rule, or an unwritable portable folder. Back up and test the settings first. Reinstalling is more useful when program files are damaged, not when saved state is being deleted or written elsewhere.

7.5 Can I delete SumatraPDF-settings.txt?

You can reset it, but renaming is safer than deleting. Close SumatraPDF, create a backup, rename the active file, and let the application generate a fresh one. This preserves a recovery path for preferences and any usable document state.

7.6 What proves that the problem is fixed?

Add a favorite to a stable local PDF, close every SumatraPDF window normally, reopen the same file with the same executable, and select the favorite. The fix is successful when the entry remains visible and opens the expected page. At that point, stop changing settings and keep the working configuration backed up.