Acrobat X Pro (10 and lower) won't start on Windows 7 (64-bit)

[Artsandbeauty]

Hello, does anyone know why Acrobat X Pro (10 and lower) won't start on Windows 7 (64-bit)? It just doesn't respond whether I try to open files with it or double-click to start the program. Re-installation and Repair doesn't help. I had the same issue with the previous versions of Acrobat on this computer. 

Thank you!

[ChannelZtheStory]

That patch is what fixed the problem for me. I put the link up in some other threads yesterday...I get lost sometimes around here.

Anyhoo, Thanks!

[mzsgt99]

Yes, I found that when I tried to open version X Pro, the mouse would spin but nothing else happened.  I then went into the Master Collection CS6 folder in Start and right-clicked on Adobe Acrobat X Pro and went into Properties.  The 'Start in:' field was blank.  There was no path indicated for the application to launch from.  Went into the Control Panel>Programs and Features, and it shows that the app is installed.  Launched the Adobe Application Manager and ran updates to update to Adobe Acrobat XI Pro.  Now it launches just fine.  Did not have to uninstall the entire collection and spend hours re-installing it.  Hope this helps. 

[ChrisH94]

Nothing works for me - none of the fixes make a difference. I have to get this solved, as I'm losing hours of work time and cannot send Indesign files to print without Acrobat.

Part of CS6 suite (installed, not Cloud), installed way back in 2012 and everything worked fine till a week ago. Acrobat Pro X now returns a spinning wheel, then times out without starting; not a 30 day issue unless it's 30 days from some patch. Acrofix patch doesn't make a difference. Uninstall/reinstall made no difference. Deactivate and reactivate then reboot (only after a reboot) worked a couple or so times, but now makes no difference. The Properties start in box for the link was empty - typed in that to replace it but no difference. This is nuts - how do I fix it?

[Rubicon04]

I tried everything, too. Solved everything by reinstalling Acrobat 9.x. No problems, and Ver. 9 is really a better program, easier to use and understand. Only issue I do have is Adobe keeps wanting to update my Ver. 9.5.2. Of course it fails as I already have it. Adobe must be hiring from the public schools.

[RedSatinDoll]

Hi David,

I want to thank you very much for this patch. I had to combine some files for school and adobe reader x doesn't do that. So when I tried to launch Adobe Acrobat X Pro, I panicked due it not opening.

But the patch worked great! It opens flawlessly now!

Again thank you very much!

[Guest]

I was having the same issue, Adobe Acrobat Pro X (as part of Master Collection CS6) wasn't working on my PC with Windows 7 x64.  When you went to launch Acrobat Pro, the mouse pointer would spin once and then nothing would open.

David's fix in post 88, worked a treat and it opened fine after the quick install.

Thanks David!

[susanna braswell]

David, thank you. The patch worked perfectly for me also. I had been tearing my hair out!!

[MauricioRaul]

I also came across this problem today, June 30, 2013, about a year late to the party.

Solution #3 in the document that David K. provides a link to above fixed my problem with launching Acrobat X Pro.

I'm so happy my wife found this discussion thread and sent me the link! Thanks, honey!

[Kathrynxyzzy]

Will this also work for the eLearning Suite (6.1)?

[Kathrynxyzzy]

We got new computers so we deactivated eLearning Suite 6.1 and then reinstalled on the new laptops (64 bit)

Now Acrobat doesn't work. It launches, sits there for about 20 seconds and then closes. my pdf creaters attached to everything are also failing to work.

I have tried every solution on this post. Lots and lots. Have rebooted over and over uninstalled/reinstalled and it still isn't working. the patch looked like my last option. Didn't change anything.

I can't work!

I have deadlines!

HELP!

[Rave]

Hi Kathryn,

have you tried the Standard troubleshooting steps :

> Enable the hidden Admin Account on Windows 7 ( Ref :  http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/enable-the-hidden-adminis trator-account-on-windows-vista/ )

> Disable all Non-Microsoft Startup Services. (Ref : http://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/global/disable-startup-items-servic es-windows.html )

> Disable all the Antivirus softwares like CA, Norton,Mc Afee etc. temporarily from the computer.

Reboot and try installing and check.

Did you encounter any errors during the install?

[ChrisH94]

I've had the same problem for over a year, despite hours spent trying to fix the non-starting Acrobat X Pro (and hours with Adobe tech taking over my computer). After every reboot, Acrobat does nothing (no error message, just does not start up). Uninstall, reinstall, nothing helps.

Solution on Win 7 64: start up Task Manager, select the Processes tab and find one or more instances of Acrobat running (if you tried to start Acrobat, more than if not). Highlight each and stop (ignoring warnings). Now Acrobat will start up normally, but with no preferences (you have to redo those each time) and works fine until another reboot.

Really annoying.

[Alanamous]

Thank you for posting. I've been unable to open .pdf files for the past few days on my Windows 8 laptop. Each time I try the document won't open and I'll eventually get an error, "Acrobat Failed to Connect to DDE Server". The only way I've been able to view pdf documents is via the Reader app (Not to be confused with Acrobat Reader Xi; I hate stupid Windows 8 and the retarded use of Apps).

Once I opened the Task Manager I found three associated processes running, two of Reader and one of Acrobat Reader Xi. I killed them all and was able to open and read a pdf in Acrobat the way I'm used to. Now, to check and see if this is what was preventing me from updating my other Adobe programs. Fingers crossed!

[digabyte]

I have been experiencing this issue but hadn't had time to address the issue (was opening text PDF's in Word and image PDF's in Illustrator or Photoshop for a workaround --eeash).

Kastendick's link to the patch worked for me.  THANK. GOD.

What an annoying month of Adobe Acrobat nonsense.

[rdpeat]

Many thanks Dave. (post 88) You saved my bacon or a lot of inconvenience at least. The CS6 patch worked for me.

[Guest]

I called tech support re: this issue instead of trying any of the fixes listed here. The tech knew exactly what was going on. In my case I upgraded from CS5.5 to CS6. The upgrade confuses Acrobat. Here's how we fixed it:

Go to the control panel and uninstall Acrobat X Pro ONLY. Go the the start menu and there you will find the Abobe installer. Click install and when you get to the page that list the programs choose Acrobat X Pro ONLY.

Install and you are done.

It worked perfectly for me. Hope this helps.

[EvAdobe1]

Knightlightning, when I go to do this uninstall procedure it gives me the choice whether I want to uninstall the "Suite Shared Configuration CS6" with the Acrobat X Pro ... do you recall if you had to check that as well? I assume that I'll also have to check the box that says "Remove Preferences" too, right? ... just to make sure.

I can't believe I STILL haven't been able to fix this piece of CRAP!!!

[Guest]

I did not get those choices. Are you uninstalling from the control panel > add/remove programs?

[EvAdobe1]

Yes, I went to the control panel > add/remove programs ... and then the application manager opened and gave me those options. Anyway, I uninstalled without touching the "Suite Shared Configuration CS6", just in case ... and now I'll re-install it, but I don't get the "Acrobat Installer" anymore if I go to the start menu. I'll probably have to use the CD again.

[Guest]

I hope it works for you. Let us know how you did...

[Fritzismom]

Uninstalling and reinstalling Adobe products is a nightmare. I had nothing but problems with earlier Acrobat and related Creative Suites. Someone recommended revouninstaller (http://www.revouninstaller.com/) to cleanly uninstall CS suites. They offer a fully functional trial version for 30 days. As far as Adobe products are concerned revouninstaller is now part of my toolkit.

However, as far as the solution to the the problems in this thread is concerned it's decribed in the posts #65 and #42. At least that worked for me.

[JimKumorek]

I had this problem start  on Monday on both my Windows desktop and laptop (both running Windows 7 64-bit), and it wasn't the 30-day issue (I had already gotten past that one a few months ago). I appear to have fixed it by uninstalling Acrobate X via the Programs and Features part of Control Panel. I then rebooted, launched the Adone Application Manager program, and at the bottom of the list of apps was an option for installing Acrobate XI (yes, a new version -- not X). I installed that, accepted the EULA, and life has been good for the last three hours. We'll see what tomorrow brings, though.... 🙂

[berniemcd333]

I have the same problem as all of you (30 day trial error rubbish) which I solved following the instructions above 30 days ago...

Now Flash Pro is not working either - major problem!

And Acrobat Pro is just driving me nuts... the fix only works for 30 days and then you get the same problem... SO I have just done exactly the same thing and downloaded the latest version of the Adobe Application manager (6.2_all) and all that did is download a TRIAL version of Acrobat XI - which is a total waste of time!!

C'mon Adobe - this is the WORST customer service I have ever experienced!!

[s2000ap]

Evam, tried your (their) solution, appeared to work until "tools" was selected and then same old problem came back. Work offline mainly as have byte chewing mobile wireless so not sure if that has an affect??

[Joshua-Atlanta]

C:\\ drive > Program Files (x86) > Common Files > Adobe > Adobe PCD > Cache > Cache.db

Deleting this fixed it!  Thanks!