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DonnieWeaver
DonnieWeaver
Participating Frequently
May 1, 2024
Question

Acrobat and PDF's won't launch

  • May 1, 2024
  • 7 replies
  • 3183 views

Acrobat will only launch with admin privileges. I cannot open it otherwise. PDF's will not open unless I launch Acrobat, w/ admin privileges, and do file / open to the PDF.

 

I've tried Acrobat / Menu / Help / Repair installation. Reboot after, but does not fix.

 

I've uninstalled Acrobat, reboot, reinstalled, but does not fix.

 

I've uninstalled Acrobat, ran the AdobeAcroCleaner_DC2021.exe, reboot, reinstalled, but does not fix.

 

Windows 10, OS fully updated, Creative Cloud and all other Adobe apps are up to date.

 

Any ideas? Thanks in advance!

    7 replies

    S
    sharp_Lily0954
    Participant
    July 28, 2025

    the same is now happening to me, I have followed all Donnie's steps..... is there a soluton?

    DonnieWeaver
    DonnieWeaverAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    July 28, 2025

    I ditched Adobe Acrobat entirely....amazing after 35 years they still can't make reliable software. I now use the free PDF24  and it does everything I ever needed in acrobat with ease....zero issues. Give it a try.

    C
    Charlie31532384lms9
    Participant
    January 9, 2025

    DId this ever get sorted for you? One of my users is having the same issue & I can't find a fix for it

    DonnieWeaver
    DonnieWeaverAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    January 9, 2025

    Nope, gave up. Uninstalled Acrobat and installed the free PDF24 which has worked flawlessly as a replacement. 

    C
    Charlie31532384lms9
    Participant
    January 10, 2025

    I managed to find a fix if you would like to give it a go. I ran this command on the machine in an unelevated cmd:
    reg add "HKCU\Software\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat\DC\Privileged" /v bProtectedMode /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
    This just sets the protected mode setting in the Acrobat application to be turned off without having to launch it.

      B
      Becky37502018edeh
      Participant
      May 20, 2024

      Having this issue, too. Very frustrating.

        DonnieWeaver
        DonnieWeaverAuthor
        Participating Frequently
        May 28, 2024

        I wanted to update this, as the issue is apparently fixed for me.  Last night I launched Lightroom and was prompted to update my Adobe password due to the length of time passed since it was last changed. Later, out of habit, I double clicked a PDF and it opened.  I tested several more, and they worked.  So, in my case, apparently what (mikeg51760545) mentioned above regarding changing the Adobe password, fixed the issue. Very weird, but hopefully this will help others experiencing the same frustration with opening PDF's. Cheers!

        DonnieWeaver
        DonnieWeaverAuthor
        Participating Frequently
        June 10, 2024

        Today this issue is back, cannot open PDF's.  Acrobat will only launch with admin privileges. I cannot open it otherwise. PDF's will not open unless I launch Acrobat, w/ admin privileges, and do file / open to the PDF.  Another password change had no effect on the issue. C'mon Adobe.....you've been making software over 30 years. Pathetic.

        M
        mikeg51760545
        Participant
        May 1, 2024

        For licensed Acrobar Pro Users, they have to sign into their Adobe account and set up Multi-Factor Authentication. That fixes the problem for them (a couple had to change their passwords for Adobe as well).

         

        For the Reader users, we still haven't found a fix, as these users are using Reader in a Microsoft RDS environment, and do NOT have Adobe Accounts.

        DonnieWeaver
        DonnieWeaverAuthor
        Participating Frequently
        May 1, 2024

        Two-step verification has already been setup long ago on this account.  My account does not use the terminology "Multi-Factor Authentication", but rather "Two-step verification". Same thing.

        Abambo
        Community Expert
        AbamboCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        May 1, 2024
        quote

         

        I've uninstalled Acrobat, ran the AdobeAcroCleaner_DC2021.exe, reboot, reinstalled, but does not fix.


        By @DonnieWeaver

        That's what I would have suggested. What is the exact Acrobat version, and the exact OS version?

        ABAMBO | Hard- and Software Engineer | Photographer
        DonnieWeaver
        DonnieWeaverAuthor
        Participating Frequently
        May 1, 2024

        Adobe Acrobat Pro - v2024.002.20687 | 64 bit
        Windows 10 Pro - v22H2 - OS build 19045.4291

        DonnieWeaver
        DonnieWeaverAuthor
        Participating Frequently
        May 1, 2024

        I read elsewhere someone mention this Acrobat error can run parallel to error 0x80070643 in Windows Update. I see the same, that update won't complete, and results in error 0x80070643. Perhaps coincidence, or related. Not sure. According to Microsoft this Windows error is know and a fix is in the works, but no idea when.

        M
        mikeg51760545
        Participant
        May 1, 2024

        I'm starting to see this among some of our users as well, including those licensed for Acrobat Pro.

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