Acrobat asks to be default, but it is already default in Windows 11

[rhondalea]

In Windows, Acrobat Pro is assigned every possible default:Acrobat defaults in Windows 11 - partial

The settings continue for a while, but those were the ones that fit without a scrolling screenshot.
Nonetheless, Acrobat continues to ask me to make it the default. If I say yes, the program freezes. It's just annoying. I have changed Preferences to tell it to stop asking, but there's still a little a little nudge in the top right corner when I open the app.

Top of Acrobat at opening
This is, btw, a clean install. 

I am, btw, extremely annoyed.

[Tariq Ahmad]

Hi @rhondalea, 

Thanks for reporting this, and sorry for the troubled experience.

Even though Acrobat is already set as the default PDF viewer in your Windows 11 system settings, you may still see repeated prompts due to a sync mismatch between Windows and Acrobat, especially in managed or profile-restricted environments.

Here’s what we can try:

1. Set Acrobat as the default manually again

    Go to: Windows Settings > Apps > Default apps > Adobe Acrobat

• Ensure .pdf, .fdf, .xfdf, .xdp, and .pdfxml are all set to open with Acrobat.

2. Reconfirm Acrobat’s default status inside the app

    Open Acrobat > Edit > Preferences > General

• Click “Select As Default PDF Handler.”

• This launches a UAC prompt — allow it and reboot.

3. Check for profile or registry restrictions (in case of an IT-managed machine, please consult IT-admins)

• If you’re using a non-persistent profile (e.g., Citrix, VDI), Acrobat’s settings may not be retained after reboot.

• Ensure Acrobat has permission to write to:

  HKCU\Software\Classes\.pdf and

  HKLM\Software\Classes\AcroExch.Document.DC

4. Disable the prompt (optional - for IT-managed machines)

     In some environments, IT may choose to suppress the prompt via the registry or GPO.

If the issue persists, let us know:

• Are you using a personal or IT-managed machine?

• Do you log in via local user or domain profile?

• Your Acrobat and Windows 11 version (e.g., 22H2, 23H2)

Thank you for your patience and support. 

Best regards,
Tariq | Adobe Community Team

[rhondalea]

Hi Tariq,

Sincere thanks to you and your team for solving my problem. 
I would like to detail here how the problem was solved, but even though I watched while your engineers worked, I don't entirely understand how they did it. I reinstalled the program twice myself, and it persisted, so without their expertise, I'd still be stuck with this frustrating issue.
Many restarts later, it remains fixed. I'm so pleased. 
This truly was the best support experience I've had in many years, and I am grateful to all three of you, and to Adobe for hiring top-notch staff.
Rhonda

[anthony_1402]

I have the same problem running a Surface Pro 10 for Business, Core Ultra 7, running Windows 11 Pro 24H2.  My device is managed, and I am the IT administrator with full access to make any changes.  I've followed the procedures above and have completed steps 1 and 2, but the reg entries for step 3 dont match up.  

I've also performed several clean installs and no luck.  Please help!