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Participant
July 16, 2018
Answered

How to disable automatic update of Adobe Acrobat 2017 Pro?

  • July 16, 2018
  • 1 reply
  • 23418 views

In an enterprise environment we should be able to control the software version that we deploy to our systems. With Adobe Reader everything works fine but this Adobe Acrobat 2017 Pro is a little bit stubborn and decided to update himself even that the Adobe Acrobat Update service is disabled. Can you please provide us a solution to this issue? We want to disable automatic updates for Adobe Acrobat 2017 Pro. Thank you.

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Steve Cordero

The following set of Windows Registry entries should disable the autoupdate feature.  Remember to disable both "bUpdater" entries.

Updater (basic settings)

These preferences turn the Updater on and off.

  • There are two bUpdater preferences: One for disabling services plugins and one for other product updates.
  • DC Continuous track web and desktop updates are released in tandem to ensure cloud and desktop features and functionality remain synchronized and compatible. Failure to update desktop components while leaving services enabled may lead to an unsupported configuration. In other words, set both bUpdater preferences to the same value.
  • Updater preferences in the UI have been changed to only show the "Auto" and "Off" options. The Continous track of Reader does not provide any UI options and the default is "Auto".
  • Both bUpdater and Mode can be used to disable the Updater, but only bUpdater removes the update UI.
  • Most other updater registry settings have been deprecated and only apply to 11.x and earlier.
Summary table
bUpdaterDisables the Updater and removes associated user interface items.
CheckSpecifies the default time interval in days to check for updates.
ModeSpecifies the Updater's update mode; for example, manual or automatic.

bUpdater

Security hardeningSupported on WindowsSupported by AcrobatSupported by Adobe ReaderTop > Updater-Win > Updater (basic settings) > bUpdater
Data typeboolean: DWORD value > REG_DWORD
Defaultnull
Version #9.2 and 8.1.7+
HKLM PathHKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Policies\Adobe\(product name)\(version)\FeatureLockdown
SummaryDisables the Updater and removes associated user interface items.
DetailsCreate this setting when you want to disable updates. For 11.x products and earlier, it interacts overrides any bDeclined value. For DC products, this setting overrides Mode.
  • 0: Disables and locks the Updater.
  • 1: No effect.
GUI mappingSetting bUpdater to 0 disables the user interface items Preferences > Updater and Help > Check for updates.

Mode

Security hardeningSupported on WindowsSupported by AcrobatSupported by Adobe ReaderTop > Updater-Win > Updater (basic settings) > Mode
Data typeinteger: DWORD value > REG_DWORD
Default3
Version #DC
HKLM PathHKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Adobe\Adobe ARM\Legacy\(product name)\(product code)
SummarySpecifies the Updater's update mode; for example, manual or automatic.
DetailsThe update mode is a machine level setting that cannot be set on a per user basis. The update interval is controlled by Check. An example path: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Adobe\Adobe ARM\Legacy\Acrobat\{AC76BA86-1033-FFFF-7760-080F0F000400}. Possible values include:
  • 0: Do not download or install updates automatically.
  • 1: Do not download or install updates automatically. Same as 0.
  • 2: Automatically download updates but let the user choose when to install them.
  • 3: Automatically download and install updates.
  • 4: Notify the user downloads are available but do not download them.
Note that a manually created bUpdater setting, that setting overrides Mode. In other words, the application assumes the default settings should not be used because the admin has created a custom setting.
GUI mappingPreferences > Updater > Automatically install udpates

Check

Security hardeningSupported on WindowsSupported on MacSupported by AcrobatSupported by Adobe ReaderTop > Updater-Win > Updater (basic settings) > Check
Data typeinteger: DWORD value > REG_DWORD
Default3
Version #DC
HKLM PathHKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Adobe\Adobe ARM\Legacy\(product name)\(product code)
SummarySpecifies the default time interval in days to check for updates.
DetailsInteracts with Mode. An example path: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Adobe\Adobe ARM\Legacy\Acrobat\{AC76BA86-1033-FFFF-7760-080F0F000400}. Possible values include:
  • 3: The default value can be manually changed.
GUI mappingPreferences > Updater > Automatically install udpates

Services integration (DC)

These settings for DC products replace those used by 11.x and earlier. By default, Adobe online services are tightly integrated with the user interface so that users can leverage them in enterprise workflows. Adobe's services are rapidly evolving and allow your organization to increase its efficiency with zero infrastructure and management costs.

bUpdater

Data typeboolean: DWORD value > REG_DWORD
Default1
Version #DC
HKLM PathHKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Policies\Adobe\(product name)\(version)\FeatureLockdown\cServices
SummaryDisables both updates to the product's web-plugin components as well as all services.
DetailsFor product versions after 11.x, this new preference replaces the now deprecated HKCU services master switch bEnableAcrobatHS . It disables both updates to the product's web-plugin components as well as all services without exception, including any sign-in screen. The setting is not the same as bUpdater which resides directly under FeatureLockdown and disables product updates. Possible values include:
  • 0: Disable services and service component updates.
  • 1: Enable services.

1 reply

Steve CorderoCorrect answer
Adobe Employee
July 16, 2018

The following set of Windows Registry entries should disable the autoupdate feature.  Remember to disable both "bUpdater" entries.

Updater (basic settings)

These preferences turn the Updater on and off.

  • There are two bUpdater preferences: One for disabling services plugins and one for other product updates.
  • DC Continuous track web and desktop updates are released in tandem to ensure cloud and desktop features and functionality remain synchronized and compatible. Failure to update desktop components while leaving services enabled may lead to an unsupported configuration. In other words, set both bUpdater preferences to the same value.
  • Updater preferences in the UI have been changed to only show the "Auto" and "Off" options. The Continous track of Reader does not provide any UI options and the default is "Auto".
  • Both bUpdater and Mode can be used to disable the Updater, but only bUpdater removes the update UI.
  • Most other updater registry settings have been deprecated and only apply to 11.x and earlier.
Summary table
bUpdaterDisables the Updater and removes associated user interface items.
CheckSpecifies the default time interval in days to check for updates.
ModeSpecifies the Updater's update mode; for example, manual or automatic.

bUpdater

Security hardeningSupported on WindowsSupported by AcrobatSupported by Adobe ReaderTop > Updater-Win > Updater (basic settings) > bUpdater
Data typeboolean: DWORD value > REG_DWORD
Defaultnull
Version #9.2 and 8.1.7+
HKLM PathHKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Policies\Adobe\(product name)\(version)\FeatureLockdown
SummaryDisables the Updater and removes associated user interface items.
DetailsCreate this setting when you want to disable updates. For 11.x products and earlier, it interacts overrides any bDeclined value. For DC products, this setting overrides Mode.
  • 0: Disables and locks the Updater.
  • 1: No effect.
GUI mappingSetting bUpdater to 0 disables the user interface items Preferences > Updater and Help > Check for updates.

Mode

Security hardeningSupported on WindowsSupported by AcrobatSupported by Adobe ReaderTop > Updater-Win > Updater (basic settings) > Mode
Data typeinteger: DWORD value > REG_DWORD
Default3
Version #DC
HKLM PathHKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Adobe\Adobe ARM\Legacy\(product name)\(product code)
SummarySpecifies the Updater's update mode; for example, manual or automatic.
DetailsThe update mode is a machine level setting that cannot be set on a per user basis. The update interval is controlled by Check. An example path: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Adobe\Adobe ARM\Legacy\Acrobat\{AC76BA86-1033-FFFF-7760-080F0F000400}. Possible values include:
  • 0: Do not download or install updates automatically.
  • 1: Do not download or install updates automatically. Same as 0.
  • 2: Automatically download updates but let the user choose when to install them.
  • 3: Automatically download and install updates.
  • 4: Notify the user downloads are available but do not download them.
Note that a manually created bUpdater setting, that setting overrides Mode. In other words, the application assumes the default settings should not be used because the admin has created a custom setting.
GUI mappingPreferences > Updater > Automatically install udpates

Check

Security hardeningSupported on WindowsSupported on MacSupported by AcrobatSupported by Adobe ReaderTop > Updater-Win > Updater (basic settings) > Check
Data typeinteger: DWORD value > REG_DWORD
Default3
Version #DC
HKLM PathHKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Adobe\Adobe ARM\Legacy\(product name)\(product code)
SummarySpecifies the default time interval in days to check for updates.
DetailsInteracts with Mode. An example path: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Adobe\Adobe ARM\Legacy\Acrobat\{AC76BA86-1033-FFFF-7760-080F0F000400}. Possible values include:
  • 3: The default value can be manually changed.
GUI mappingPreferences > Updater > Automatically install udpates

Services integration (DC)

These settings for DC products replace those used by 11.x and earlier. By default, Adobe online services are tightly integrated with the user interface so that users can leverage them in enterprise workflows. Adobe's services are rapidly evolving and allow your organization to increase its efficiency with zero infrastructure and management costs.

bUpdater

Data typeboolean: DWORD value > REG_DWORD
Default1
Version #DC
HKLM PathHKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Policies\Adobe\(product name)\(version)\FeatureLockdown\cServices
SummaryDisables both updates to the product's web-plugin components as well as all services.
DetailsFor product versions after 11.x, this new preference replaces the now deprecated HKCU services master switch bEnableAcrobatHS . It disables both updates to the product's web-plugin components as well as all services without exception, including any sign-in screen. The setting is not the same as bUpdater which resides directly under FeatureLockdown and disables product updates. Possible values include:
  • 0: Disable services and service component updates.
  • 1: Enable services.
csuserbp
Participant
September 28, 2018

Can you also give advice on how to disable automatic updates in the Mac (macOS Sierra) version of Acrobat Pro 2017 (TLP, classic update stream, Release 2017.011.30102)?

If I try to disable automatic updates in preferences, Adobe Acrobat is asking for admin credentials to install a helper tool. If I enter the password, the checkbox is still activated. The only working solution I've found to stop automatic updates so far, is to block Adobe Acrobat Update Helper Tool in the firewall.

Adobe Employee
September 28, 2018

It would be a similar "bUpdater" entry placed in the machine Preference file "com.adobe.Acrobat.Pro.plist" and look like this: