[Reader][Win7] 21208 update breaks Acrobat Reader, won't start, missing dll

Here is latest update on my trying to restore a usable Adobe Reader version on Windows 7.  On 21 Feb morning I did all the things shown in this thread:  (1) removed broken version 25.001.21xxx  (2) cleaned traces with AdobeCleaner (3) loaded 32-bit version 22.003.20282  (4)  disabled Reader updater in Computer Management and in Services (5) changed the Adobe updater registry key from “3” to “0” - this is supposed to absolutely disable downloading and installing Adobe updates, (6) tested.   Did this on 4 computers.  All worked fine…..until approximately noon.  Then they all broke …..  version 25.001.21223 downloaded and installed anyway.  Adobe does not even recognize and conform to its own settings, especially the registry setting that says “no updates”.  It appears that Adobe is bypassing the update settings by simply forcing a totally new version on the user.

THIS IS INTOLERABLE.  Adobe has no business forcing updates/versions on users who do not want them, especially when the updates will no longer work.  The USER should be given the option whether or not to update, after the USER is told the consequences.  Adobe has no excuse to say “we no longer support Windows 7”… the users are NOT asking Adobe to “support” older Windows 7 versions….they are only asking that the working older versions be left alone.  If the user is happy with (or must use) these older versions ..  albeit with no further support .. they should be allowed to do so.  Microsoft no longer supports Windows 7 or 10, but even Microsoft does not force downloads on these users that disable the OS. 

Suppose I took my 2012 Toyota in for service at a dealership, and the dealer disabled the vehicle because it does not have all the electronic convenience/safety stuff that the later models have.  Does the dealer have that right, or do I still have the option to continue using the vehicle.

In this situation, Adobe could make the missing .dll available via download if that is all it would take to make the older versions function.  It is too risky to download this .dll for an unvetted source. 

Many older users (and my wife and I are in this category) do not have the means to continually buy new computers, and most do not have the computer knowledge to adapt older computers.  My wife said she had no ideal what to do when this error message appeared...she was in tears.

Adobe’s attitude is “WE know better than the USERS”.  If I look up the definition ARROGANT in Webster’s dictionary, I see the Adobe logo in the definition.  

For now, I must try to use Sumatra-pdf - it appears to meet my needs.

I created a little batch script and instruction to fix it [insecure link removed], as I get dozens of error reports now so that I wanted to automate the crucial steps of the process, maybe it helps some of you.

If you have to use Acrobat Reader, here’s a list of download links to older versions (offline installer, DE and US version).

For private use, there are free tools that, in my experience, are faster and more flexible, for example SumatraPDF or PDF-XCange Editor (free version). At least they can help until Adobe has fixed the problem.

Tried 3 of the fixes posted here, didn’t work so i installed PDFSuiteInstaller a free program and uninstalled the Acrobat reader

Having the same Issue since yesterday 😞 

Same issue here, Acrobat Reader automatically uploaded the update tonight to my W7 PC and asked me to reboot.  Following the reboot the Adobe Reader is toast and I get pop up messages api-ms-win-core-winrt-l1-1-0.dll is missing as well as Error parsing C:\Windows\Microsoft.net\framework\v4.0.30319\config\machine.config  Parser returned error 0x80070005.  For some reason multiple attempts of going back to previous restore points fail (even in safe mode).  I need this fixed ASAP.

Last night (2/19/2026):   1) deleted the broken version, 2) cleaned remnants with AcroCleaner, 3) loaded the 32-bit version
 https://ardownload2.adobe.com/pub/adobe/reader/win/AcrobatDC/2200320282/AcroRdrDC2200320282_en_US.exe

and 4) used Computer Management and Systems and Services to disable automatic updates.  Adobe Reader worked, and the automatic updater was shown “disabled”. I was delighted, and came in this morning to fix 4 more computers in my office.

As a side note, in this version of Reader there is NO Preference option to turn off automatic updates.

BUT……….on the computer fixed last night:

This morning, Reader is broken again, with the stupid “missing api-ms-win-core-winrt-l1-1-0.dll message.”  When I checked Computer Management and Services updater was again enabled. Disabling the updater does not seem permanent. 

Using Firefox .pdf reader will open documents, but will not print them correctly.  This is a Firefox issue that I raised with them a couple of years ago.  They assured me it had been fixed - it has not been.

There is a post from earlier today that “ The product team has identified the root cause and is working on a fix. We will provide an update soon after the fix is available with the public release. “  Perhaps it will be a version that permits the user to turn off automatic updates.

I hope this is so - right now my office is without .pdf reading capability.

Shame on Adobe for inflicting this on what appears to be a vast horde of users.  I feel the same about the unwanted and intrusive AI tool they have added.  I would be open to another .pdf reader, if I can find one that works (reads and prints) properly.

Thanks to all who have contributed.

Idem pour moi que doit on faire svp merci

Now I can't even open files with another editor and I get an error.VCRUNTIME140.dll (or VCRUNTIME140_1.dll) I can't work anymore. Please reply.

Hi All,

The product team has identified the root cause and is working on a fix. We will provide an update soon after the fix is available with the public release.

Regards,

Anand Sri.