How to I STOP 32-bit reader from "upgrading" to 64-bit Acrobat?

Question

I'm not sure what happened, but over the past 3 weeks I keep getting screwed with this "upgrade." I have old hardware that can't detect 64-bit programs. On the reader download page I have to click on some small text just to get to the 32-bit option. What's the point of making my jump through this hoop if Adobe doesn't want me to use a 32-bit reader? That's all I need. A simply PDF reader. Again, this wasn't a problem 3 weeks ago, but now for some reason EVERY time open the 32-bit reader, I'm actually opening a 64-bit Acrobat. I then I have to uninstall, go back to the tiny text on the download page and install a fresh version of 32-bit reader just so I can do my job.

It's to the point that I'm losing several hours of work a day just to get my hardware to function because I'm constantly downloading and installing the version I WANT AND NEED.

I followed the regedit on a different thread, but that doesn't do anything. I still have to uninstall and re-download the version I need.

https://community.adobe.com/t5/acrobat-reader-discussions/disable-automatic-update-to-64-bit-reader-dc/td-p/12380707

I JUST WANT TO USE THE SOFTWARE I INTENTIONALLY DOWNLOADED, NOT THE "UPGRADE" ADOBE IS FORCING ME TO REMOVE MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY!!!

AkanchhaS8194121 · Answer

Hi @Nicholas28208919nasf

Sorry to hear about your frustrating experience.

If you have installed the 32-bit Acrobat Reader application, you will be automatically upgraded to the 64-bit version of Acrobat Reader gradually. This upgrade is silent and currently applicable to a limited number of users.

Note: If you have installed Acrobat Reader 64-bit and purchase an Acrobat subscription, the Acrobat Reader 64-bit application will upgrade to a fully functional Acrobat 64-bit application.

To fix this issue, we'd suggest the following changes, but before that, run this, Run this cleaner tool to remove the existing installer and application’s file traces:

https://www.adobe.com/devnet-docs/acrobatetk/tools/Labs/cleaner.html

How to stop automatic upgrade of Acrobat Reader 32-bit to Acrobat Reader 64-bit:

To stop the Acrobat Reader 32-bit application from automatically upgrading to the 64-bit version, create the following registry key before the first launch of the application:

In Start > Search, type RegEdit and press Enter. The Registry Editor is displayed.

Browse to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\DC\FeatureLockDown.

Create the following key:

Key: bUpdateToSingleApp

Data type: REG_DWORD

Default Value: 0

Close Registry Editor.

Let us know the result.

Thanks,

Akanchha

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