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Participant
September 4, 2025
Answered

Is it possible to use PAID InDesign with FREE Acrobat?

  • September 4, 2025
  • 1 reply
  • 851 views

When I purchased InDesign, I suddenly started getting popups on Acrobat saying I needed to buy Acrobat. Is it possible to use the free version of Acrobat while using the paid version of InDesign? If so, how can I disable the popup so it's useable?

 

(I discovered one workaround - I can use Acrobat in my browser. But it would be more convenient if I could also use the desktop app.)

Correct answer melodic_star9931

After you cancel the trial. try removing Acrobat with the CC Cleaner tool (Use the Creative Cloud Cleaner tool to solve installation problems ) which should remove any traces of the previous install, then try the free download again.


Peter, I didn't get a chance to try this because my laptop bit the dust and I had to get a new one. When I installed the programs on my new device, they worked as they should. Yay, problem solved! 

1 reply

Community Expert
September 4, 2025

Yes, you can there is no dependence of InDesign on any version of Acrobat. These are independent applications.

-Manan

-Manan
jane-e
Community Expert
Community Expert
September 4, 2025

@melodic_star9931 

 

The "free" version of Acrobat is Adobe Acrobat Reader, not Adobe Acrobat Pro. In Acrobat Reader, you can view, print, and comment, but not much more.

 

See this help page for the differences in versions. If you want to tweak a form that you created in InDesign, for example, you cannot do that in the free Reader.

https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/pricing/compare-versions.html

 

Jane

 

Participant
September 4, 2025

I understand. But how do I access the free Adobe Acrobat Reader on my computer? I just downloaded it again. The popup still appears. See the screenshot I took. No matter what action I take, the window closes and I can't use the free version.