Cannot Install/Use Preflight Tool

[James_Rowley]

Clicking the "Preflight" button in Print Production mode just produces a message saying:

"Preflight is getting installed. Please wait to use this tool."

The first time I did this a little icon showed up next to feedback, help etc. indicating that something was happening. Eventually this said there was an error and Acrobat installation would be retried.

Now, no such thing shows up. Seemingly nothing happens at all other than showing that message. It's been 30 minutes so I really doubt it's a matter of impatience.

I have tried repairing Acrobat installation, and uninstalling/reinstalling through the Creative Cloud app to no avail. Any ideas on how to install/launch the Preflight tool?

[Mischa_ · Accepted solution]

This was what eventually worked for me. I'd tried it a number of times before and after reinstalls and eventually I tried the Edit Object button again and this time it prompted the restart to install the feature. Following that, Preflight started working as well. Ridiculous that it takes a day of troubleshooting for a key feature, only to have it resolved seemingly at random.

[arjun02 · Accepted solution]

I found a shorter solution. Go to windows apps where you see all the apps/software installed on your machine. Click modify option next to uninstall. The Acrobat installer will popup and there's an option of 'optional features' that's marked with a red cross. Enable it, and then proceed with the instalation. 

No uninstall required. Simple 2 minute repair!

[Marcus366154773rtx]

Ok, I found a solution that worked for me. 

1. Uninstall Adobe

2. Uninstall Adobe Cloud

3. Download and Run the Acrobat Cleaner Tool (Link)

4. Reboot your PC

5. Download the Acrobat Pro installer (Link) 

6. Extract the folder

7. Inside the Adobe Acrobat folder, execute "setup.exe"

8. ATTENTION: On the first window, please click on "Customise".

9. Now click on "Optional Features" and select "This feature, and all subfeatures, will be installed on local hard drive."

Under "Optional Features", we have the "Preflight" option. So, Adobe will install the Preflight without a network installation. 

10. After it, you can click on "Install". 

This process worked for me on different PCs (Win10 and Win11 - both 64-bit). 

Good luck to everyone! 

Marcus Barros. 

[janh17075035]

That worked for me, thx a lot...

[ana_victoria_0913]

This worked for me, thank you so much!

[arjun02 · Accepted solution]

I found a shorter solution. Go to windows apps where you see all the apps/software installed on your machine. Click modify option next to uninstall. The Acrobat installer will popup and there's an option of 'optional features' that's marked with a red cross. Enable it, and then proceed with the instalation. 

No uninstall required. Simple 2 minute repair!

[TyPasGlo]

This was the solution I was looking for. This worked, thank you.

[Sarah26982803bo8t]

YAY worked!  Thank you!  

[PVM Reklame · Accepted solution]

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. pen Windows Settings:

   • Press Windows Key + I to open Settings.

   • Go to Apps → Installed Apps (or Apps & Features, depending on Windows version).

2. Find Adobe Acrobat:

   • Scroll down or search for "Adobe Acrobat" (look for Adobe Acrobat Pro, not just Reader).

3. Click the three dots (…) or the app name → Select "Modify":

   • If you only see "Uninstall," click that and it might then give you an option to "Modify" (don’t worry, it won’t uninstall right away).

4. Adobe Installer Opens:

   • You'll see the Acrobat Installer popup.

5. Look for "Optional Features":

   • There will be a section or button like "Optional Features".

   • Find Preflight (it might be shown with a red cross ❌, which means it's disabled).

6. Enable Preflight:

   • Click the red cross or checkbox to enable/install it.

7. Continue Installation:

   • Proceed through the installer to finish enabling the feature.

[tedk36962915]

This worked!!

[lamanzuf]

Out of the blue the preflight installing message popped up. I've been using preflight fairly regularly. The step-by-step instructions provided by Reklame did the trick. It now works normally again. Why the 'optional features' suddenly became disabled is a mystery and very annoying.

[Jroberts]

Same problem.  "Manual install required".  Nothing I found online resolved the issue.  Tried installing, running Creative Cloud, reinstalling.  Revo uninstall.  Everything I found. I've had countless other problems before with other issues; none have been really resolved. I bought Foxit as a go-around for most of them, even though I have an Adobe subscription.  But  I need preflight for heavy editing, since Foxit won't do.  ILet's see if this one gets resolved.  Not optimistic though.   I suspect they took that feature away from my all-aps subscription as yet another greed play.   As if $840/month isn't enough from me.

Not surprised  Adobe stock is down 20% YTD when the market is up 10%.  That's what happens when you treat your customers as a nuisance.

[Jroberts]

Interesting, the last suggestion of modifying (as opposed to uninstalling), worked!  However, I had to do it twice.  The first time, nothing seemed to happen.  I got so pissed off that I posted a bit too early.  I tried it a second time, then something happened.  I rebooted, and now I have preflight!  Can't convert colors to output intent, but that's a fight for another day 🙂

[notre studio.39121598]

Same problem...