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A
Anonymous
August 7, 2016
Answered

Application Initialization Error when trying to download Adobe Reader

  • August 7, 2016
  • 10 replies
  • 196951 views

I have a windows 10 all in one desktop computer.  I cannot open or read any PDF files.  I have tried turning off my Norton Security firewall and that does not resolve the issue.  The error message is very generic:  Application Initialization Error.  I have also tried to installing using Google Chrome but receive the same error message.  Microsoft said they cannot help me.  Adobe doesn't offer phone support for Adobe Reader.  Can someone please tell me what I can do to get this resolved??? It is extremely frustrating!

    Correct answer Meenakshi Negi

    Hi Elishevam,

     

    Thank you for reaching out.

     

    Please try installing the Acrobat Reader DC from the following page: https://get.adobe.com/reader/enterprise/.

    If you get any error messages, please share the screenshot with us.

     

    Let us know how it goes.

     

    Thanks,

    Meenakshi

     

    10 replies

    corey.jackson.mc
    corey.jackson.mc
    Participant
    February 9, 2026

    I receive an error when trying to install Adobe Reader using the online installer. The error received is: Application Initialization Error.

     

    I have tried deleting all files in the following folders: 

    - " C:\Program Files"

    - " C:\Program Files\Common Files"

    - " C:\Program Files (x86)"

    - " C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files"

     

    All Adobe folders are removed from the registry paths:

    - " HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software "

    - " HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE "

     

    Operating System: Windows 11 64-bit

     

    I am not able to download a 64-bit offline version of Adobe Reader from

    https://get.adobe.com/reader/enterprise/

    Only a 32-bit edition is available and it will not install on the computer.

     

    Can anybody provide guidance how to resolve this error so that Adobe Reader can be installed.

    S_S
    Community Manager
    S_SCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    February 13, 2026

    Hi ​@corey.jackson.mc,

     

    Hope you are doing well. Sorry for your experience with using Acrobat Reader.

     

    What I would like to understand is the system architecture of your device.

     

    Does your device have an Intel or AMD-based 64-bit processor, or a 64-bit ARM-based chipset? 

    This will help me understand the situation and provide you with a concrete solution.

     

    You can check the details by going to Start > System Information.

    Sharing a screenshot of that window works too.

     

    Look forward to hearing from you.

     

    Regards,

    Souvik

     

    corey.jackson.mc
    corey.jackson.mc
    Participant
    February 13, 2026

    Intel based CPU (Core Ultra 5)

    F
    furrukh_3812
    Participant
    August 5, 2025

    Hi, I faced the same issue. When I switched from Adobe Pro to Adobe reader. 

    When I run the Adobe setup, it shows an "Application Initialization Error."

     

    How did I resolve it? 

    - Uninstalled the Adobe Pro version 

    Delete the Adobe folder from

    - " C:\Program Files"

    - " C:\Program Files\Common Files"

    - " C:\Program Files (x86)"

    - " C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files"

     

    Open Registry Editor,  and delete the Adobe folder from

    - " HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software "

    - " HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE "

     

    Restart your computer and then try to install the software. 

    This time it sould be installed

     

     

    Meenakshi Negi
    Community Manager
    Meenakshi NegiCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    May 1, 2023

    Hi All,

     

    Thank you for your patience so far.

     

    The issue has been resolved now. Please try to download and install the Acrobat Reader application.

    Let us know how it goes.

     

    Thanks,

    Meenakshi

    P
    Patryk29670788d9gq
    Participant
    May 1, 2023

    works perfectly fine, thanks!

    Meenakshi Negi
    Community Manager
    Meenakshi NegiCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    May 1, 2023

    Hi Patryk29670788d9gq,

     

    Glad to know it is working fine. Thank you for confirming.

    Let us know if we can be of any help.

     

    Thanks,

    Meenakshi

     

    Marking a reply or response “Correct” will help future users with the same issue quickly identify the correct answer.

    I
    indoboy36
    Participant
    May 1, 2023

    Hi, I tried downloading the file from the files that admin provided, however I always get the same message: 

     

     

    please help!

      P
      Patryk29670788d9gq
      Participant
      May 1, 2023

      I have same error like @indoboy36, can someone help?

        N
        Ng29671835d4st
        Participant
        May 1, 2023

        Bump, I have that error too even when I ensured the website was my country's one it displayed this as well

          E
          elishevam0504126688
          Participant
          June 29, 2022

          i have a pdf document that i cannot open

          i tried to download adobe reader and receive and error to install

          what can i do

          Meenakshi Negi
          Community Manager
          Meenakshi NegiCommunity ManagerCorrect answer
          Community Manager
          June 30, 2022

          Hi Elishevam,

           

          Thank you for reaching out.

           

          Please try installing the Acrobat Reader DC from the following page: https://get.adobe.com/reader/enterprise/.

          If you get any error messages, please share the screenshot with us.

           

          Let us know how it goes.

           

          Thanks,

          Meenakshi

           

            A
            Aurelian25248087zi4o
            Participant
            July 14, 2022

            I was ready to take a hammer when I've seen this post. Download it, intall it...GREAT! IS WORKING! 

            Thank you so much!!!

             

            D
            defaultyyruvasrhcsm
            Participant
            June 4, 2021

            Thank you so much for this! It worked on my Windows 10 - Dell Laptop.

             

            I have been trying to install from the original website but to my dismay it kept on showing "application initialization error" at the end. I even uninstalled my Norton antivirus to install the Adobe Acrobat Reader DC. 

             

            Thank you!!!!

            N
            Niket5E12
            Participant
            October 9, 2020

            hii Shivam,

            I cant download from the link you provided. i have also disabeled my anti virus still i cant download it .

            can you please help me with it?

            Niket .

            H
            hmakkar
            Participant
            August 7, 2020

            I have been having same problem and tried this link again but no luck!

            Same error message pops up.

            A
            Anonymous
            August 8, 2016

            I had tried this link previously but received the same error message.  This time it worked!  Thank you so much!!

            Adorobat
            Community Manager
            AdorobatCommunity Manager
            Community Manager
            August 8, 2016

            Your Welcome!

            T
            Tad3
            Participant
            April 30, 2020

            I was just having the same error and this worked for me too.  Thx!

            Adorobat
            Community Manager
            AdorobatCommunity Manager
            Community Manager
            August 8, 2016

            Hi ireneh3263308 ,

            Try to download Adobe Reader from here : Adobe - Adobe Acrobat Reader DC Distribution , select your Operating System, Language and Version and Download .

            Let us know if you face any issue downloading Adobe Reader .

            Thank You!

            Shivam

              S
              Swaathy K
              Participant
              July 18, 2020

              Thanks a lot 🙂

               

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