How to get out of Select Acrobat Default PDF handler configuration?

In my effort to recover from a botched Acrobat Reader DC installation and then removal from a computer with Acrobat X Pro already installed, I lost the ability to open pdf files with Acrobat.

As the attached screenshot shows, file properties do not show Open with: to be Acrobat. I was advised to reset it be clicking on Edit>Preferences>General>Select Default PDF handler but that failed because it asked for AcroPro.msi which I no longer have. Now it is stuck in this configuration change cycle and won't even let me completely launch Acrobat X Pro from Windows Start menu.  I am able to launch it only by clicking on a pdf file and manually choosing Acrobat to open a file.

Hence my request for help. How can I cancel the Select Acrobat Default PDF handler configuration without successfully completing it?