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billb23828151
Participant
March 20, 2018
Answered

Prevent automatic installation of Reader DC

  • March 20, 2018
  • 4 replies
  • 16391 views

Acrobat Reader DC keeps re-installing itself and assigning itself as the default pdf handler.  I have uninstalled it several times but it keeps coming back without my permission.  I have the full version of Acrobat and do not need or want Reader DC.  How can I stop this intrusive behavior?

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer try67

    Well, it doesn't happen by itself...

    4 replies

    Participant
    November 20, 2024

    It seem they put alot of effort into this:
    -You need to disable and delete the Adobe ARM in Windows service

    -You also need to delete the task 'Adobe Acrobat Update Task' in the Task Scheduler
    -Delete the ARM exe in 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\ARM\1.0\AdobeARM.exe' to be sure

    Inspiring
    December 2, 2020

    My hate for adobe grows. I love Photoshop 6 and Acrobat X. They are all I need. But I made a mistake and bought into the Photoshop CC. I think CC is an acronym for creative commerce. In my installation of Photoshop CC I "try" acrobat dc. I uninstalled it. And more than once in the last year trying to stop it from telling me I had an update. Just now I got another update notification for acrobat dc (not installed). In the CC desktop I saw the update and poked the three little dots. There was an option to uninstall acrobat dc it. This was titled Acrobat DC NOT Acrobat X. Adobe CC Desktop uninstalled my Acrobat X. I belive the only way to get rid of adbe maleware is to reinstall Windows 10 and NEVER even go to the adobe web site.

    geivac
    Participant
    May 12, 2019

    I have a Windows 10 Pro home-based workstation that is not part of any corporate network. I also have Adobe Acrobat Pro DC (fully licensed) installed, but I too have been finding repeated automated installs of Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, in spite of uninstalling the Reader application more than once.

    Using my Windows application log, I found at least one instance where the Reader DC app was automatically installed (without any intervention from me.) The log entry referred to the following location on my PC:

    C:\ProgramData\Adobe\Setup

    Look for a subfolder containing the installer file AcroRead.msi. I moved tthe subfolder (including all contents) into my Recycle Bin. (You may wish to backup these files if desired.) I then opened Adobe Acrobat Pro DC, which appeared to function normally.

    So far, this appears to have resolved my issue.

    try67
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    March 20, 2018

    Is your computer a part of network (like in an office)?

    billb23828151
    Participant
    March 22, 2018

    It is, but I have verified with my IT department that this is not an installation that they are pushing.

    try67
    Community Expert
    try67Community ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    March 22, 2018

    Well, it doesn't happen by itself...