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ruzicka4613@q.com
Participating Frequently
Dec 26, 2025 9:45 PM UTC
Question

Latest Adobe Acrobat (64-bit) update keeps failing Error 1402

I have tried several times now to install an update to Acrobat (64-bit) on my Microsoft Surface Pro.  The update keeps failing with the following error"

 

error 1402.could not open key: hkey_local_machine32\software\microsoft\internet explorer\main\featurecontrol\feature_browser_emulation

 

This is odd for a couple of reasons:

1) Internet Explorer is no longer installed on the tablet.

2) When I look in REGEDIT, there is a "hkey_local_machine", but not "hkey_local_machine32".

    15 replies

    ruzicka4613@q.com
    Participant
    Oct 13, 2026 5:54 PM UTC

    Still no luck installing Adobe Acrobat Free Reader, even after trying most of these fixes.  Even the Adobe Acrobat cleaner freezes up when I try to use it.

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    Jason Miller234
    Jason Miller234
    Participating Frequently
    Jul 10, 2026 10:16 AM UTC

    This looks like a registry permission issue, not an Internet Explorer problem. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE32 refers to the 32-bit registry view, so you won't see it as a separate hive in Regedit. Try running the installer as Administrator, or use the Acrobat Cleaner Tool and reinstall. If it still fails, check the permissions on the FEATURE_BROWSER_EMULATION registry key.

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    MSCGRINCH
    Participant
    Jul 6, 2026 3:13 PM UTC

    I Had to assign the regkey \HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\FeatureControl\ administrator and system rights check replace all child permission entries... then restart PC, go back into registry and delete the Key feature browser emulation.  From there I could remove the old version and install the newest

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    Jeffrey_A_Wright
    Jeffrey_A_Wright
    Legend
    Dec 26, 2025 9:56 PM UTC

    Ruzicka, sorry you are encountering Error 1402 while installing Acrobat. This error occurs because the installer does not have sufficient access to update the Windows registry.

    How to Fix Error 1402 When Installing Adobe Acrobat

    Why this happens:
    Error 1402 means the installer cannot open a registry key due to insufficient permissions.

    ✅ Step 1: Run Installer as Administrator

    • Right-click the Acrobat setup file → Run as Administrator.

    ✅ Step 2: Fix Registry Permissions

    1. Open Registry Editor (regedit) as Administrator.
    2. Navigate to the key mentioned in the error message (e.g.,
      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData).
    3. Right-click → Permissions → Grant Full Control to your user and Administrators group.
    4. Click Advanced → Check Replace all child object permissions → Apply.
    5. Retry installation.

    ✅ Step 3: Use Adobe Cleaner Tool

    • Download and run the Adobe Reader and Acrobat Cleaner Tool:
      https://adobe.ly/49t4V6t
    • Restart your PC and reinstall Acrobat.

    ✅ Step 4: Enable Built-in Administrator Account (if permissions fail)

    1. Open Command Prompt (Admin).
    2. Run: net user administrator /active:yes
    3. Log in as Administrator, fix registry permissions, then install Acrobat.
    4. Disable later with: net user administrator /active:no

    ✅ Step 5: Advanced Method (System Account)

    • Download PsExec from Microsoft Sysinternals.
    • Run: psexec.exe -d -i -s regedit.exe
    • Modify permissions for problematic keys under Installer\UserData.

    Extra Tips

    • Temporarily disable antivirus or endpoint protection.
    • Ensure no other Adobe installer is running.
    • If all else fails, create a new Windows user with admin rights and try the installation there.


    ^JW

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    ruzicka4613@q.comAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    Dec 28, 2025 1:42 AM UTC

    Thanks, but again, the error message specified "hkey_local_machine32", NOT "hkey_local_machine".  As I am running 64-bit Windows 11,  "hkey_local_machine32" does not exist.  So why the installer is trying to access it is a complete mystery.

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    Souvik Sadhu
    Souvik Sadhu
    Legend
    Dec 28, 2025 3:37 PM UTC

    Hi @ruzicka4613@q.com,

     

    Hope you are doing well. Thanks for the response, and sorry for the trouble with installing Acrobat.

     

    Even though Internet Explorer has been retired, many Windows components and installers still reference legacy Internet Explorer registry keys for compatibility.

    Acrobat uses FEATURE_BROWSER_EMULATION to control the behavior of embedded browser components. These settings remain part of Windows, even on systems where IE is no longer visible or usable.

     

    Therefore, the error is not due to Internet Explorer being missing. 

     

    Next, there is no actual key named hkey_local_machine32. The installer is attempting to access the 32-bit view of the registry settings.

    Windows maintains two internal registry views, namely the 64-bit view and the 32-bit view (WOW6432Node).

     

    So, the path being accessed is HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\FeatureControl\FEATURE_BROWSER_EMULATION.

    If that path is missing, corrupted, or inaccessible due to permissions, it throws error 1402.

     

    All of the above was the root cause of the error. Now, let's try a step:

     

    • Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter

    • Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\FeatureControl

    • Right-click FeatureControl → Permissions

    • Make sure both Administrators and SYSTEM have full control

    • Click Advanced: Ensure permissions are inherited

    • Click OK

    • Close Registry Editor

    • Retry the Acrobat update

     Let us know how it goes.


    Regards,
    Souvik.

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