Computer can't shut down because software is being installed - acrobat

[ChickenDiesel]

Just went to shut down my computer and the following message popped up on my screen.

Firstly: is it even possible for Adobe software installs to cause damage to my computer?

Secondly: has anyone ever seen this message before? I've never had an active Adobe install interrupt shutting down of the computer!

I want to check this as it feels suspiciously out of character for Adobe and also if they have changed and this is now what happens, we need to know.

Thank you

[Amal.]

Hi @ChickenDiesel 

Hope you are doing well and am sorry for the trouble.

A new version of Adobe Acrobat (22.3.20310) is out now and it looks like it was getting installed on your computer when you tried to shut down it down.

As the installation was in progress and got interrupted, you got the above-shared pop messages. the statement 'Interrupting the install may damage the computer' means that the Acrobat application may not work properly due to the same reason.

Hope this information will help

Regards

Amal

[T Coates]

I am having the same problem. I can't shut down the install, which is clearly stuck and not proceeding. I haven't been able to open pdfs for three days. And now I can't even force quit. I'm loosing work hours and unable to do work because Adobe has apparently taken over my computer. How can the download be stopped. I have a subscription to Adobe - but the program has been just terrible on my laptop since I got the subscription. It seemingly worked better before I got the subscription. 

[Kellie220325544twc]

This has been going on with me for weeks and weeks. Since when does it take that long for Adobe Acrobat to shut down. Can you please provide a different solution and answer. 

[content1971]

Hi Amal, thanks but this answer doesn't help. Since when does Adobe get unilateral access to my computer? I never gave permission to update this software - I was not notified it was happening. It just started in the background. The reason I discovered it was because my computer was hanging up and was basically unusable – so in the middle of my work I stopped everything to restart my system and I get this pop up explaining that an acrobat update is in fact going on. No idea it was started, no indication of how long MY comptuer will be tied up for. Adobe is acting very Microsoftian, and whether or not it's good for me that I have constantly updated Acrobat software, this model is wrong. Be more transparent. Be better.

[Amal.]

Hi there

You may also go to Edit or Ctrl+K (Win), Adobe Acrobat (Mac) > Preferences > Updater > Uncheck 'Automatically install updates' > Click OK and reboot the application and check.

~Amal

[Benedikt33562916g4r1]

I am also having this issue.  I have a relatively new mac laptop. An Adobe updater is hanging up my machine and it is clearly stuck as it is not doing anything and my computer has become unusuable.  I can't reboot as the adobe installer stops this. I can't force quit and then reboot because the adobe installer relaunches (and then hangs) before I can reboot.  And I can't go into adobe acrobat preferences and turn off autoupdates because adobe acrobat now will not launch.  So I'm stuck.  I am sorry but this is not acceptable as I am working to a deadline and right now this issue is costing me valuable time. 

[Amal.]

Hi there

Please try to enable the root account in Mac  https://support.apple.com/en-in/102367 and remove the application using the Acrobat cleaner tool https://www.adobe.com/devnet-docs/acrobatetk/tools/Labs/cleaner.html , reboot the computer and reinstall the application using the direct link https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/acrobat-dc-downloads.html  and check

~Amal

[El38998441on27]

Hey, I am experiencing the problem on this thread.  Your suggested fix will not work for me as the issue is with Creative Cloud installation in progress and your instructions state.

• The tool cannot be used with any Creative Cloud products or Acrobat delivered with CS products. It can only be used for standalone versions of Acrobat and Reader.

It is A) unacceptable that you install something this pernicious on my Mac without my consent and b) that it has the ability to essentially break my Mac.  Please provide an immediate fix to this.  I cannot shut down my Mac OR uninstall your products.  it's unacceptable

[smallrock]

Yeah, this continues to be a problem. No option to disable automatic updates. The solutions below don't help, becuase the  updater runs at every reboot request. Apparently Adobe thinks this is a normal, useful way to do it. Are the Adobe engineers taking classes in UI Anti-Patterns?

[laura_9573]

Hi! Any solution to this?  I got the same message and had no idea Adobe was doing this.   It is stuck and I cannot do any work on my Mac.   Agh!!!   Help!!!!

[Blissful_master6055]

Same here. I only have Adobe reader installed on my Macbook, and now I'm also stuck (can't reboot it, can't abort the update). It's especially upsettings because I DID disable automatic updates. Seriously Adobe, fix your stuff.

[clif_CROP]

FRIST of all, why is Acrobat allowed to update/auto-update OUTSIDE of the Creative Cloud application where I seen and handle ALL OTHER UPDATES?! 

SECOND, the tone of this message "may damage your computer"? Come on Adobe, shame on you for taking some position of control over my machine where I have no idea what is going on in the background. I've seen this error about 3 times, and every time I've been needing to restart my computer because of some issue while working, assuming always in some other Adobe application, and I need to get restarted and back up and running again quickly. This interruption is NOT ideal or appreciated. Its a bit stess inducing. 

I've shut off the auto updater inside the Adobe settings to hopefully never see this mesage again. WHich prompted "Adobe Inc." to add a background Login Item for Adobe Acrobat Reader DC (I have Pro installed) but I've shut that off as well. 

[content1971]

Yes this! And for anyone wondering, you must:

1. Open Acrobat app
2. Open preferences (Acrobat -> Preferences)
3. Scroll to bottom of left panel -> Updater settings
4. Uncheck

and Adobe will immediate ask your system permission to install a "Helper App" which if you deny, will leave the Updater set to automatic. So you need to give permission to that mysterious helper app and install it, whatever it does.

Then go your System -> Users & Groups and select your account, then select Login Items, then turn off that Adobe Helper app and then delete it by clicking the little minus button.

Then wipe hands on pants and thank Adobe for wasting your time.

[clif_CROP]

On both my Mac's that I have turned off the auto update, I CONTINUE to get harrased by a pop up that WON'T GO AWAY. Hitting the Escape key makes it go away, as does "Open System Settings" however it still come back. Obviously no intention of hitting "Remind me later". 

Adobe:

Please add Acrobat to Creative Cloud like EVERY OTHER app to manage updates. 

OR, figure out how get this mess cleared up. There are other resources for making and viewing PDFs. Acrobat doesn't need to do stuff on its own without my knowledge and just update whenever it wants to and stop restarts or other user opterations. Its overstepping. 

[clif_CROP]

SWEET JESUS MAKE IT STOP!

Could SOMEONE from Adobe let me know why I keep getting INIDATED with this popup I posted above!!!

I KNOW it can't check  for upates, I turned it all off. Make this go away!

I'll gladly update it one more time if you fix it to have this sod off. 

[smallrock]

Adobe's C-Suite doesn't give a damn.