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dconstan
dconstan
Participating Frequently
February 5, 2026
Question

Acrobat reader cannot be installed on Win 11 Surface Pro

  • February 5, 2026
  • 5 replies
  • 854 views

I am sorry to disturb again the community but i still cannot install Acrobat Reader on my PC (Win 11 Surface Pro).

I am using the official download from Adobe web site, installation starts and finishes successfully but NO Acrobat Reader is installed on the PC.

I tried this over and over again. I also used Adobe cleaner to make sure that no garbage from prior installations remain on the PC but no luck. 

Any help would be appreciated.

Many thanks

Dinos

      5 replies

      matdam
      matdam
      Participating Frequently
      February 19, 2026

      Hello,

      I have the same problem: Surface Pro with Windows 11 Home ARM and I’m not able to install Adobe Acrobat Reader. I tried to download the installer from https://get.adobe.com/it/reader/ and to install Adobe Acrobat Reader DC via Microsoft Store, in both cases the installation is completed but no Acrobat Reader is really installed on the machine.

      I’m not able to find the installer of 32bit version, and by the way it looks it is discontinued and no more supported.

       

      AnandSri
      Community Manager
      AnandSriCommunity Manager
      Community Manager
      February 19, 2026

      Hello ​@matdam 

       

      I hope you are doing well.

       

      Use the direct download link to download the Acrobat Reader 32-bit: https://get.adobe.com/reader/enterprise/

       

      Choose the language as per your requirement.

      Also, check these Adobe articles for the ARM processor support: 

      https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/arm-processor-support-on-windows.html

      https://helpx.adobe.com/in/x-productkb/multi/windows-arm-support.html

      https://helpx.adobe.com/in/download-install/apps/system-requirements/apps-compatibility-copilot.html

       

      I hope this helps.

      Regards,

      Anand Sri.

        matdam
        matdam
        Participating Frequently
        February 19, 2026

        thank you, I’m able to install the 32bit version. but it’s a pity I cannot install the ARM version through the Microsoft Store, should consume less resources and overall more secure.

          LaluLunaLita
          LaluLunaLita
          Participating Frequently
          February 16, 2026

          I have the same issue. I have tried turning off the Smart App controls and the inbound virus protection. I have tried installing it using different browsers, or from the windows app store. I don’t get any error messages. Adobe Photos and McAfee install with the Adobe Reader. They all say installed and the only apps I find installed are Photos and McAfee. I have tried it a million different ways and am unable to install Adobe Reader. I bought the Surface Pro laptop in November. Had no problem installing Adobe Reader back then. Then suddenly it wasn’t working anymore. I even tried removing the windows updates, since November but nothing is working. Any tips?

          zhartzell
          zhartzell
          Participant
          February 16, 2026

          I ended up having success with installing the 32-bit version of adobe. Had to select the different version for windows 11 instead of the default 64-bit

          S_S
          Community Manager
          S_SCommunity Manager
          Community Manager
          February 16, 2026

          Hi ​@LaluLunaLita ​@zhartzell,

           

          For Windows ARM-based processors, the 32-bit version of Acrobat Reader needs to be installed.

           

          From the description, it seems you are trying to use the 64-bit version, which results in the issue.

           

          Regards,

          Souvik

          zhartzell
          zhartzell
          Participant
          February 11, 2026

          Also experiencing a similar issue with windows on ARM, Win11 Surface Pro. I install software with no issues, knowing it’s not the S Mode, but Adobe Reader is missing after what looks like a successful install. I’ve had the device for over a year. A Microsoft C++ Redistributable corrupted or was deleted during an update causing multiple apps to fail to launch, including Adobe Reader. But now I am unable to re-install it.

          LaluLunaLita
          LaluLunaLita
          Participating Frequently
          February 17, 2026

          See the advice I provided in the chat above. Contact Microsoft through chat and let them solve it. None of the advice given on google, adobe, Microsoft solved the issue for me.

          chrisN
          chrisN
          Participant
          February 11, 2026

          hi support, currently we are also experiencing this issue. has this been resolved. installed pdf via their website as well as via microsoft store but having the same issue. its on surface pro 11

          creative explorer
          Community Expert
          creative explorerCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          February 5, 2026

          ​@dconstan  Many Surface Pro devices ship in S Mode, which only allows apps from the Microsoft Store for security. I don't know if this would 'void' your 'warranty' or not? You must "Switch out of S Mode" in your system settings (under Activation) to install the standard .exe installer from Adobe's website. Once you switch out of S Mode, you cannot go back. If you know if your Surface 11 is using ARM architecture, make sure you are downloading the version specifically compatible with "Windows ARM." But, Microsoft Store should have the Adobe Acrobat Reader

           

           

          m
          S_S
          Community Manager
          S_SCommunity Manager
          Community Manager
          February 6, 2026

          Hi ​@dconstan,

           

          Hope you are doing well. Thanks for writing in!

           

          Adding to the comments by ​@creative explorer, when on the download page for Acrobat Reader: https://get.adobe.com/reader/enterprise/, try downloading the 32-bit installer for Acrobat Reader and then check. 

           

          Let us know how it goes.

           

          Regards,

          Souvik

          dconstan
          dconstanAuthor
          Participating Frequently
          February 6, 2026

          Thanks for the tip. Unfortunately the installation was not completed. I got an error message as below. 

          Any ideas are welcomed. 

          Many thanks

          Dinos

           

           

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