After reinstallation, getting PDF Preview Handler Error and protected mode error

Question

I was running out of space on my C: disk so I had to move files to 😧 and then created soft links back to C:. However, I believe I ended up uninstalling Acrobat on accident in the process. Then after reinstalling, I kept getting two issues:

1. When I try to open Acrobat, I get a protected mode incompatibility pop-up and only can run it after selecting to run with protected mode disabled.

2. When I try to preview a PDF file on File Explorer ( I have Windows 11), the preview section displays an error message regarding "PDF Preview Handler".

I have attempted to reinstall Acrobat multiple times, delete preferences, change preferences, change standard applications and then go back to Acrobat, but none has worked. Some attempts that didn't work:

Disabling protected mode and advanced security
In general, enabling "activate miniature preview on Windows Explorer)
Changing standard PDF and then changing back to Acrobat
Repairing installation, restarting computer, updating system and all that sort of thing

Xenophore1 · Answer

I am getting a similar error. Acrobat is now unusable on my system even after multiple attempts to uninstall and reinstall and running the Acrobat cleaner. First, I get the error asking me if I want to disable protected mode; then, when I try to open a file, it goes into an unending (at least 24 hours observed) wait mode.

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