Participant

Question

Reader and Acrobat on same PC

Forum|Forum|4 years ago
June 2, 2021
13 replies
67063 views

I want to install both Acrobat and Reader on same PC.

How can I do this?

Participant

I am having the same issue and I am weighing in here as I think Adobe should recognize what a problem this is. Bottom line is that Adobe Acrobat just doesn't work as seamlessly as Adobe reader if all you need to do is open a file someone sent you and maybe print it. The file will open in Acrobat...but it's like it doesn't fully open and there are some menus at the top that are spinning and kind of wavy. And the print and download buttons are grayed out.

F

Fintan5EEA

Participant

Option 1 - Just use the 32-bit versions of both. Adobe supports the 32-bit versions of Reader and Standard /Pro coexisting on the same computer.

Option 2 - Install the combined installer for Reader, Standard and Pro. It's available in 64-bit only, and you'll only need to install 1 app to get the functionality of all 3 - what actual features you get depends on the account you login with (a free account is available for those who want the free Reader functionality)

Michael Trout

Inspiring

What the ‘all-in-one’ solution fails to account for is proper testing. Yes, it allows the user of the Standard/Pro to open and test files without issue. What it fails to do is allow the user to verify themselves that a particular form will function on the free reader version of the software.

It is bad form when a client comes back with an issue and the only thing the designer can say is “it works for me (shrug)”. A phrase is ‘Trust, yet verify.’ Trust the software to work, but VERIFY that it is working as intended. The inability to do so due to a policy change is a step backwards. Having to install a VM or isntall reader to a completely separate device to regain functionality that existed before this change is a step backwards and an unreasonable imposition. What reason exists for this change aside from changes sake?

As of January 2023, official support for 32-bit systems and the 32-bit version of Acrobat is curiously difficult (for me at least) to locate. It is not available in the Creative Cloud desktop nor is it apparently available from the adobe.com/actobat site. So, users need to jump through unwarranted steps, find unpublished links to FTP sites to essentially install a downgrade of Acrobat Reader to 32-bit. One that is no longer supported. One that will likely eventually be missing features added to the 64-bit version of Acrobat (Reader/Standard/Pro)..

This is not a solution. Why is it an issue to have a concurrent installation of the free reader version along with a paid version of it?

T

Tiffany29313582fkev

Participant

not sure why i am getting a notice of a response that is older than my
post... but no that "unified" process does not allow me to be able to use
reader. ADOBE is useless and will not function without paying for a
subscription, unless i uninstall everything and only reinstall the reader.
Which i dont want to have to do because once in a while i do want to use
the full version.

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[PERSONAL INFORMATION REMOVED BY MODERATOR - THIS IS AN OPEN FORUM NOT ADOBE SUPPORT, PLEASE DO NOT POST PERSONAL INFORMATION]

T

thisisinsane

Participating Frequently

As of June 2022 there is a unified 64-bit installer which installs BOTH applications. Once the user logs in, their subscription level determines whether they can access Reader-only or Acrobat features. Details seem to be well hidden but hre is the announcement page:

Windows Virtual Deployment Overview — Acrobat Desktop Virtualization Guide (adobe.com)

R

RayConnonAuthor

Participant

I'm not sure how this solves the ability to install Acrobat and Reader on same device.

When I checked my subscription options, I am permitted to install Reader on some other device other than that already running Acrobat.

So the status quo remains. ie; Adobe do not offer an option to install Reader and Acrobat on the same device concurrently.

T

Test Screen Name

Legend

You are correct. You can no longer have Acrobat and Reader on the same device ('cept with a VM).

JR Boulay

Community Expert

I opened this enquiry more than 12 months ago. The Adobe line has been to use Acrobat DC. They don't offer any constructive advice how to resolve the issue.

By @RayConnon

Now I use Acrobat Pro and Foxit Reader on the same PC.

They works fine together.

Acrobate du PDF, InDesigner et Photoshopographe

J

JPino

Participant

So, this works as rough workaround and is more of a “band-aid”. You may have to scroll up for additional info depending on your environment. Long story short you have a edit the registry keys in your computer so that Adobe suppresses the additional Acrobat features and auto login. I got this to work but keep in mind that you must also completely sign out of Creative Cloud as well. If you are long into your local creative cloud application, it will auto log you into Acrobat Pro as soon as you launch Acrobat. Hopefully this helps until a better solution is out there.

https://www.adobe.com/devnet-docs/acrobatetk/tools/AdminGuide/singleinstaller.html#additional-required-configuration

J

jueblu

Participating Frequently

what still might work = parallel installation of the 32-bit-version of Adobe Reader and older (full) Acrobat versions. download availabe: https://get.adobe.com/de/reader/otherversions/

J

JPino

Participant

Hey Adobe!!! Allow users to switch to standard Adobe Reader when they sign out or switch to a non-subscription account. Don’t just close the program or force them to try sign up for a free trial/7 days of Pro. I already pay for Acrobat Pro/Creative Cloud. It’s now very frustrating testing fillable forms for end users or really anything that you expect users to be running standard Reader. We used to be able to run Reader and Pro as standalone apps but with them being one and the same now; I can't change over to stander Reader or back into Pro without uninstalling and reinstalling. This is tremendous loss of productivity and revenue. I'm not sure you all understand the impact this is having for creatives and developers.

K

Ko Za

Participating Frequently

Agreed! I build forms out for the organization and need to check against what others who only have Adobe Reader can and can't do... I'm no longer able to do this if I can't easily toggle back and forth between reader and pro.

Amal.

Community Manager

Hi @Ko Za

If you have installed the 32-bit Acrobat Reader application, you will be automatically upgraded to the 64-bit version of Acrobat Reader gradually. 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 go through the help page https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/about-acrobat-reader-dc-migration-to-64-bit.html

Regards

Amal

S

sirvin

Participant

I too would like the ability to keep reader and pro on the same machine. I'm permitted to have 2 concurrent active devices with my Creative Cloud account, but have several machines that I might ocassionally use. Therefore I have CC installed but inactive on most of my devices. On these they have Acrobat Pro isntalled, but any time I try to read a PDF i'm forced to go through my enterpise login process, then deactivate one of my 2 active machines. I never go through all that, so i eventually just manually open the pdf in Edge. This is incredibly annoying.

If Acrobat is installed but CC is not signed in, Acrobat Pro should just function as Reader.

Amal.

Community Manager

Hi there

The 64-bit application is a unified application for Acrobat DC and Acrobat Reader DC. If you have installed Acrobat Reader DC 64-bit and you purchase an Acrobat DC subscription, the Acrobat Reader DC 64-bit application will upgrade to become a fully functional Acrobat DC 64-bit application.

For more information please check the help page https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/about-acrobat-reader-dc-migration-to-64-bit.html

~Amal

try67

Community Expert

@Amal.

Many people are reporting issues with the application not switching back to Reader once their Acrobat subscription has ended, though. What's the proper procedure for that?