Participant

Question

Creative Cloud Desktop is installing Acrobat Reader instead of Acrobat Pro

Forum|Forum|10 months ago
July 15, 2025
3 replies
549 views

I have a full Creative Cloud subscription and work on a Windows PC Desktop computer. My Creative Cloud Desktop shows that I have Acrobat Pro installed. However, when I click on the OPEN button within the Creative Cloud Desktop app, it opens Acrobat Reader instead of Acrobat Pro. Why won't Pro open? My hunch is that the Adobe believes that my PC is a tablet, because Reader is default for Mobile and Tablets. Is there a way to disable Reader? My wish is to use Acrobat Pro for everything PDF-realted. I never want to use Reader for any purpose.

jcraok

Participant

I am having this exact same incredibly infuriating experience with my creative cloud subscription. Was there ever any resolution on this? My Acrobat Reader does not have an “install premium features” under the help menu. I have tried reinstalling, doing and installation repair, logging out then back in to ensure my acrobat pro credentials were being picked up. Nothing works to get Acrobat Pro to load.

Meenakshi0101

Community Manager

Hi jcraok,

Thank you for reaching out, and sorry for the trouble caused.

Please follow these steps to remove and reinstall the application:

-Remove the application and run the cleaner tool (https://www.adobe.com/devnet-docs/acrobatetk/tools/Labs/cleaner.html).
-Reboot the machine.
-Install Adobe Acrobat from the following page: https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/acrobat-dc-downloads.html.

If you continue to experience issues, please share a screenshot of the application window and the options that appear under "All Tools." Additionally, go to Menu > Help > About Adobe Acrobat and provide a screenshot of that window as well.

Let us know if you need further assistance.

Thanks,

Meenakshi

N

nancy_7133

Participant

I had the same problem. From Reader, try Help > Install premium features. This worked for me.

try67

Community Expert

Acrobat and Reader are the same application now. It switched from one to the other based on your account's status. If you have a valid subscription for Acrobat it should open it as such; Otherwise, it will open as Reader.

A

AM-YOAuthor

Participant

That is correct, I have a valid subscription for Acrobat, therefore it should open as such. I am requesting advice on how to troubleshoot a situation in which it is not operating as it should.

Amal.

Legend

Hi there

++ Adding to the discussion

If you have installed Acrobat Reader 64-bit and you purchase an Acrobat subscription, the Acrobat Reader 64-bit application will upgrade to become a fully functional Acrobat 64-bit application. For more information please check the help page https://adobe.ly/4lRNm3j

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