Participant

Question

Install errors on Surface Laptop 7th edition with ARM processor

Forum|Forum|5 days ago
September 10, 2026
9 replies
157 views

I am trying to get Adobe reader 32-bit installed on an ARM laptop but am continually running into errors.

When attempting the online installer, Reader_en_install.exe, I will get an error message that a newer version is already installed. When attempting the offline installer, AcroRdrDC2600221901_en_US.exe, I am getting a message that the application cannot be installed on my operating system.

The errors persist after a full reset of Windows and attempting the install as the very first step after completing the initial out of box setup. When reviewing the install log, the very first line states This application cannot be installed on this operating system (Windows 8.1 64-bit). Setup will now terminate. Please refer to the minimum system requirements at http://www.adobe.com/go/reader_system_reqs.

The laptop is on Windows 11 24H2 and all reg keys, cmd commands and PowerShell commands report this. I was able to find an installer for a version of Reader a few years old and successfully install. When attempting to update from within the app the same cannot be installed on this operating system error persists.

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Exciting_elegance41e1

Participant

Yep thanks for the reply, I have done that from the MSS and yes it does work, but try hitting the update button and let me know what happens.

Jamski

C

Christopher271202021z4e

Participant

I have the same issue on my Lenovo T14s ARM64 (Qualcomm) Laptop. The latest Acrobat Pro 32-bit update wouldn’t install so uninstalled, as the guidance suggested, and now I can’t even re-install it. Same error - the application cannot be installed on my operating system. So now I’m left without the ability to install or use it. It was working perfectly fine previously. Please fix asap!

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resourceful_Delight8242Author

Participant

Cant believe I didn't try this earlier in my troubleshooting but I tried installing directly from the Microsoft Store and it worked for me while getting an installer from Adobe’s website is still failing. Its possible the Microsoft Store version is on a slight older version that doesnt have these issues.

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Exciting_elegance41e1

Participant

Yep thanks for the reply, I have done that from the MSS and yes it does work, but try hitting the update button and let me know what happens.

E

Exciting_elegance41e1

Participant

Hi,

Having the same issues and have the same error warning Update Failed with ‘cannot install on W8,1 etc.)’ notification using ARM even though new version of W11 is installed. Brand new laptop too, well 6 months old hardly used.

Cdlt,

Jamski

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resourceful_Delight8242Author

Participant

Try installing from the Microsoft Store, just worked for me while installers from Adobes website are still failing

Anand Sri Bhattacharya

Community Manager

Hello @resourceful_Delight8242,

I hope you are doing well, and thanks for reaching out. Sorry for the trouble you had.

Please note that the incorrect Windows 8.1 detection is unexpected on a Windows 11 24H2 ARM device.

Use 32-bit (x86) Reader: Adobe documents Acrobat Reader on Snapdragon-based Windows PCs as running through emulation, and its ARM guidance specifies the 32-bit (x86) version. There is no native ARM64 Reader installer.
Remove the older installation completely: Close Reader, then open Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features, select Adobe Acrobat Reader, choose Uninstall, and restart Windows.
If uninstalling does not clear the “newer version is already installed” condition, run Adobe’s AcroCleaner only after attempting the standard uninstall. Select Reader for cleanup, complete the process, and restart.
Download Reader again from Adobe’s official download page and make sure you are using the 32-bit/x86 installer, not the 64-bit package.

You can also refer to these articles for more information: https://adobe.ly/4gZ3XkS

https://adobe.ly/4yz3zB2

I hope this helps. Please reach out if you experience any issue, or need any assistance/help.

Regards,

Anand Sri.

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resourceful_Delight8242Author

Participant

Hi Anand,

I have been using the 32-bit installers during all of my install attempts/troubleshooting.

Through my continued testing, I was able to install the base version of Reader through the AcroRead.Msi found under C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\Setup\{AC76BA86-7AD7-FFFF-7B44-AC0F074E4100}

When attempting to run the AcroRdrDCUpd2600221901_MUI.msp patch from this same folder I am getting the same cannot be installed on my operating system error. After running the same patch installer using msiexec and exporting the output to a log file I found a line specifying to block the patch if ARM architecture is detected.

“ADelRCP logging: : [CheckUnsupportedArchForPatch] ARM64 architecture detected - patch will be blocked”

It seems the latest official 32-bit installer for Reader is blocked from being installed on ARM devices. Is there somewhere I can get an offline installer for a couple versions back?

Anand Sri Bhattacharya

Community Manager

Hello @resourceful_Delight8242

Thanks for sharing the details. We have reported the issue to the product team for further investigation and to isolate the root cause.

I will update the thread once the fix is available with the public build, or if we need any specific information for investigation.

Regards,

Anand Sri.

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