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bobwayz
bobwayz
Participant
February 10, 2026
Question

Failed install on Win11 ARM

  • February 10, 2026
  • 2 replies
  • 17 views

Tried to install Acrobat Reader (DC) from the Windows store and also from downloads. Both are not successful. Only have the standard windows native antivirus. Does create an empty folder in program files x86. But nothing runs. Also nothing showing Add Remove Programs and nothing in the start menu. I then tried to do the same on a new user on the the same machine, and install fails again. Already tried system restore, and it was a new build. Maybe Adobe has a problem? Suggestions? Thanks! 

    2 replies

    bobwayz
    bobwayzAuthor
    Participant
    February 11, 2026

    I tried multiple times and then gave up. Microsoft Edge can do form fill, highlight, etc. Maybe I am done with Reader...

    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.

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    zhartzell
    zhartzell
    Participant
    February 11, 2026

    I had to select More Download Options, Windows 11, and then the 32-bit version of Acrobat Reader and it now is running… I don’t understand why it broke, why 64 bit doesn’t work for a 64-bit operating system unless the compatibility layer is broken somehow. 

    S_S
    Community Manager
    S_SCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    February 13, 2026

    Hi ​@zhartzell,

     

    Hope you are doing well. Thanks for writing in!

     

    Below are some of the major reasons why a 32-bit app runs better on a 64-bit ARM processor:

    • More Registers: 64-bit ARM architectures (ARMv8 and newer) provide 31 general-purpose 64-bit registers. This allows for better code generation and fewer memory accesses.
    • Faster Memory Management: 64-bit ARM processors handle memory addressing more effectively, enabling faster data manipulation and movement for 32-bit applications.
    • Cache Efficiency: Smaller 32-bit pointers and integers can sometimes increase the CPU cache hit rate, enhancing performance for memory-intensive operations.
    • Also, 32-bit applications often run better on 64-bit ARM processors due to improved hardware efficiency, including access to a larger pool of registers, faster memory management, and higher overall clock speeds. While 32-bit software is limited to 4GB of RAM, 64-bit ARM processors can manage memory more efficiently, and in some cases, smaller 32-bit binaries can better utilize CPU cache. 

    Hope this gives some clarity.

     

    Regards,

    Souvik

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