32-bit Adobe Acrobat DC automatically upgrading to 64-bit // Please Advise Solution

Report · Sep 21, 2021

Hi All,

I manage multiple Terminal Servers with Adobe Acrobat DC installed as the default PDF Reader.

Majority of these servers run 32-bit Office and 32-bit LOB Applications that are causing various incompatibility issues with 64-bit Adobe Reader.

For example: Preview of PDF within 32-bit Outlook does not work with 64-bit Adobe Reader installed.

MYOB AE is not compatible with 64-bit Adobe Reader at all (has worked for years but not since last updates and MYOB Partner Support have confirmed incompatability).

The solution is seemingly simple...uninstall 64-bit Adobe Acrobat DC and install 32-bit Adobe Acrobat DC. Unfortunatley, the software constantly updates itself to 64-bit and this is causing a wide range of issues and very disgruntled users.

I have tried disabling the update task in task scheduler as well as stopping/disabling the windows update service and when I check later....they are back up and running and Adobe is 64-bit!

I have now completely deleted the update service and scheduled task but have no confidence this will hold.

Can someone please advise on how I can install 32-bit Adobe Acrobat Reader and keep it as 32-bit?

Thanks in advance.

Report · Sep 23, 2021

Hi @morb!d

This issue seems like due to incompatibility of 32bit outlook preview with 64bit acrobat. I have DMed you a workaround for the same. Please try that and let us know if that resolves the problem.

Ankit,

Adobe Acrobat Software developer

Report · Sep 23, 2021

Would I also be able to get this workaround?

Report · Sep 24, 2021

@Country Consulting DMed you the steps.

Report · Sep 24, 2021

Please can we also have the steps - we have LOB apps that rely on 32-bit Adobe to work correctly

Report · Sep 24, 2021

@Acora One refer answer from @amangupt on this thread https://community.adobe.com/t5/acrobat-reader-discussions/disable-automatic-update-to-64-bit-reader-... .

Report · Oct 07, 2021

I too would like this work around.

Report · Sep 23, 2021

I had the same thing happen to me and came looking for answers, only to find your post about the exact same issue. Terminal Server with MYOB AE, having Adobe seemingly update itself to 64-bit. I'm glad I'm not the only one, I usually feel alone with these kinds of issues.

Report · Sep 24, 2021

Thanks for DM'ing me the registry settings to allow preview on 64-bit Adobe on Office 32-bit.

Unfortunately, this is only part of the solution as our customer base use MYOB also which this does not resolve.

For everyone else out there, I have resolved this issue and so far successfully implemented on multiple customer RDS Servers.

Uninstalling 64-bit, restarting, installing 32-bit and then end/stop scheduled task, update service and then changing the Mode value to 0 in registry. Additionally, the registry setting to remove Update from GUI also put in place.

Report · Sep 25, 2021

@morb!d if there are other compatibaility issues as well, then instead of completely disabling updates, you have option to only disable auto switch 32 to 64bit. Follow the following steps.

1. Uninstall 64-bit Reader installed on the machine.

2. Restart the machine (optional step)

3. Create the key to block the upgrade

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\DC\FeatureLockDown]
"bUpdateToSingleApp"=dword:00000000
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Policies\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\DC\FeatureLockDown]
"bUpdateToSingleApp"=dword:00000000

4. Install 32-bit Reader from https://get.adobe.com/reader/otherversions/

select OS & langage from drop down
select 32-bit Reader from drop down and then install 32-bit Reader.

Report · Sep 26, 2021

This second workaround does not work.

Adobe Acrobat still updates itself to 64-bit.

I am reverting to original, less secure, manner with Mode registry setting.

This is not aimed at you Ankit, as you are the only person putting themselves out there to assist, but it is very annoying to have an update forced upon users when it is not compatible (Office 32-bit and MYOB to name a couple).

Report · Oct 21, 2021

Any update on the resolution of this issue?

Adobe Acrobat has updated itself again for me today, even with these workarounds.

Report · Nov 09, 2021

These "solutions" dont work.
You cant tell me Adobe has no clue that 32bit Reader is leverage by countless 3rd party applications.
Unbelievably poor decision on Adobe's part and id like to know what the answer should be to all our clients who ask "why does this keep happening???"

Report · Nov 10, 2021

Here is the document I put together for my tech team, this has worked on
multiple terminal servers/rds servers.

First, download the 32-bit version of Adobe Acrobat DC Reader by first
navigating to this site.

*Download Adobe Acrobat Reader DC | Free PDF viewer | Windows, Mac, iOS,
Android*
Click on the ‘Do you have a different language or operating system’ link as
highlighted below.

Choose the appropriate Operating System from the drop-down menu.

Choose ‘English’ as the language from the drop-down menu.

Select the 32-bit version of Adobe Acrobat DC Reader from the drop-down
menu.

Unselect all the additional, bloatware options as shown below and then
click on Download Acrobat Reader.

Log in to the server.

Uninstall Adobe Acrobat DC Reader (64-bit) from Add/Remove Programs.

Restart Server.

Use the 32-bit installer downloaded earlier to install on the server
(ensure in RDS Install mode on Terminal Servers).

Once installed successfully, follow the next steps straight away.
Step 1. Disable Adobe Acrobat Update Task.

The first step to disable the Automatic Update in Adobe Reader is to
disable the 'Adobe Acrobat Update Task' in Task Scheduler. To do that:

1.

At the search box, type: task scheduler
2.

Open Task scheduler

1.

Click at Task Schedule Library at the left and then, at the right pane,
right click at the Adobe Acrobat Update Task at select Disable.

1.

Close Task Scheduler and continue to the next step.

Step 2. Disable Adobe Acrobat Update Service.

The next step is to disable the Acrobat Update service, by using one of the
methods below:

1.

Simultaneously press *Windows *+ *R* keys to open run command box.
2.

In run command box, type: *services.msc *and press *Enter.*

1.

3. Double click to open "Adobe Acrobat Update Service" properties
(AdobeARMservice).
2.

4. Set the *Startup type* to *Disabled*.
3.

5. Click *OK* and *restart* your computer.

Step 3. Disable Adobe Reader DC Automatic Updates via Registry.

1.

Open Windows Registry Editor. To do that:
2.

Press the Windows + R keys to load the Run dialog box.
3.

Type regedit and press Enter.

1.

At the left pane, navigate to this key:

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Adobe\Adobe ARM\Legacy\(product name)\(product
code)

e.g., *HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Adobe\Adobe
ARM\Legacy\Reader\{AC76BA86-7AD7-1033-7B44-AC0F074E4100}*

1.

At the right pane double click at *Mode* value* and at the Value Data
box, change the value data from *3 *to *0* (zero).

Mode possible values:
0: Do not download or install updates automatically.
2: Automatically download updates but let the user choose when to install
them.
3: Automatically download and install updates. (Default value)
4: Notify the user downloads are available but do not download them.

1.

Close Registry Editor and restart your computer.

- From now on, Adobe Reader DC will not download and install updates
automatically, but you can always install the new updates manually, by
choosing the *Check for Updates* option in Adobe Reader's DC main menu.
(Help > Check for Updates) *

* Note: If you want to remove the *Check for Updates *option, then follow
the steps below.
Extra: Remove the "Check for Updates" option from Adobe Reader's menu.

1.

Launch Registry Editor again and navigate to this key:

*HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Adobe\Acrobat
Reader\DC\FeatureLockDown*

1.

Right click at an empty space on the right pane and select New > DWORD
(32-bit) Value.

1.

Name the new value: bUpdater
2.

Double click at the bUpdater value and set the Value Data to 0 (zero).

1.

*Close* Registry Editor and *Reboot* your computer.