How can I get Adobe PDF Maker Macro to stop reinstalling in Microsoft 365 after MS update?

[Electroscribe_2023]

Adobe's PDFMaker Macro for Microsoft 365 [Office] applications displays error messages in my Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook Classic applications. I hate it. Only way I can remove it is to (1) run each app as an Administrator,(2) go to Options, (3) Manage COM Add-ins, and (4) select PDF Maker Macro and remove it. 

But every time my computer runs updates for Microsoft Windows 11 or Microsoft 365 [Office], the PDF Maker Macro reinstalls itself, and I get error messages when I open those apps. I also don't like the space its commands take on Microsoft 365 apps' Ribbon.  Have learned a better way to make Adobe PDFs out of Office applications (use the F12 command and check the appropriate options), so I have no use for the PDF Maker Macro. How can I get it to stop reinstalling itself?

[Meenakshi Negi]

Hi Electroscribe_2023,

Thank you for reaching out, and sorry about the trouble caused.

As you do not need the Acrobat add-in in Microsoft 365 applications, you may customize the installation with the Acrobat Customization Wizard.

You may try modifying the Windows Registry to prevent the add-in from loading:

- Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\<App>\Addins\PDFMaker.OfficeAddin

- Change the LoadBehavior value to 0 to disable it.

- You may also need to add a DoNotDisableAddinList key under: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\<App>\Resiliency

- And set PDFMaker.OfficeAddin to 1.

Note: Editing the registry can cause system issues if done incorrectly. Always back up your registry before making changes.

Let us know if that helps.

Thanks,

Meenakshi

[Electroscribe_2023]

I downloaded the Customization Wizard, but all it does is open and ask me to find a package to modify.

Hesitant to try editing the Windows Registry, but looks like that is my only option.

It would be wonderful if Acrobat gave us the option of NOT installing that PDFMaker Macro. My try uninstalling acrobat in the Creative Cloud application, rebooting the computer, and re-installing Acrobat. And see if there is an option NOT to install that Undocumented Program Feature 🪳.