FREE adobe reader asks me to login and then crashes when I don't

Question

First of all, I created a post about this last month which was suspiciously deleted with no resolution: https://community.adobe.com/t5/acrobat-reader-discussions/free-adobe-reader-asks-me-to-login-and-then-crashes-when-i-don-t/m-p/15626257

The problem started happening again today. MacOs. Adobe Reader Free Version 2025.001.21111.

I try to open any PDF and the app opens a window asking me to login to Adobe. I click the X to close the window and the entire program crashes. The only workaround is to uninstall the program and reinstall it from scratch. Then it works for a few days or weeks, but the problem eventually comes back. Might be tied to auto-updating, but I’m not sure.

This time I took a screen recording so you guys can see it for yourself. See attached file.

The problem needs to be fixed, it’s been present since around June 2025 and I believe is affecting all MacOS users just trying to use the Free version of Adobe Reader.

creative explorer · Answer

​@pg_summit_85that link no longer exists because it appears the forum got revamped, and likely go shuffled in all of things.Because you have uninstall and reinstall a few times, sometimes there are traces of these old corrupted files. In this case, I would use theAdobe Cleaner toolto remove traces of this.https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/apps/troubleshoot/diagnostics-repair-tools/run-creative-cloud-cleaner-tool.htmlI would uninstall Acrobat Reader first. Then quit out of all of the Adobe apps online and on your desktop. Then run the Acrobat Cleaner Tool. Also, I would go into your Keychain Access (Command Spacebar) and enter Keychain Access. If you hit enter from the search, a Keychain dialog box will open. In the search bar, enter Adobe.Delete any items that appear, specifically ones like Adobe User Info, Adobe App Info, or com.adobe.acrobat or anything that is flagged in red. For example, in my keychain access — it’s ben flagged in red, and I should remove this. Select it. Right-click and delete.Once done, empty your trash/recycle can.This forces the new installation to start with a truly blank slate, rather than "remembering" the corrupted session that's causing the crash.Then restart your computer. And download a fresh installer from theAdobe site.https://get.adobe.com/ca/reader

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