Unable to create the temporary folder: Error: 183 - cannot create a file when that file already exists

[R.N.Merchant]

Using Acrobat 11 Pro for some years without problems.    Lenovo CarbonX1 laptop; updated to windows 10 some time ago.   Recently updated to the newest version of Win10  (Creators', I think).    Since then - coincidence or otherwise - I am unable to print to the AcrobatPDF printer driver (through Distiller, I presume) as I get the error message quoted  (Unable to create the temporary folder:  Error: 183 - cannot create a file when that file already exists).   Furthermore the system then largely hangs (keeps coming back to the same error) and the easiest thing seems to be to reboot.

Zillions of things on Google about similar errors but nothing seems too similar to this situation.

Anyone have any thoughts?

[R.N.Merchant · Accepted solution]

I may have just solved my own problem.   Following a link on the 'more like this', there is another question about Error 183.

The respondent suggests: 

This error usually comes up when Distiller is trying to create a file in the Windows Temp directory in a file called Adobe Distiller. Try giving the permissions to the user account for this folder and the problem should go away.

I did this.   The \windows\temp has security restrictions on the "users" - changing that 'users' to 'full control' has allowed me to print a file.   I will see if that stays and works for other programs!

[jane-e]

Printing to Acrobat is old technology and is not the best practice for creating a PDF. Neither is using the Distiller.

What software are you using that you want to convert to PDF? Most software has a method built in that is preferred.

Also, Acrobat XI is no longer supported by Adobe as it is more that 5 years old. But check to see which release you have and see if it is compatible with the version of Windows 10 that you have.

Overview — Acrobat and Adobe Reader Release Notes

[R.N.Merchant]

You have not addressed the point.  I want to know what makes the error - lots of other software I can use - but Acrobat has, over the years, otherwise proven to be quite reliable.

I tend to use older software, none of which has built-in PDF output.

I have Acrobat Pro 11.0.23, the final release.  I have no use for more recent versions of Acrobat and am therefore unwilling to pay for them.  According to the Adobe website, Acrobat 11 does support Win10.   It seems to me something in the most recent Win10 update has changed system features such that Acrobat is not working properly.   This is not the only issue I have had since upgrading.  (Drag and drop doesn't seem to work properly but that is not this forum...)

[R.N.Merchant · Accepted solution]

I may have just solved my own problem.   Following a link on the 'more like this', there is another question about Error 183.

The respondent suggests: 

This error usually comes up when Distiller is trying to create a file in the Windows Temp directory in a file called Adobe Distiller. Try giving the permissions to the user account for this folder and the problem should go away.

I did this.   The \windows\temp has security restrictions on the "users" - changing that 'users' to 'full control' has allowed me to print a file.   I will see if that stays and works for other programs!

[jane-e]

Hi R. N.,

I'm so glad it's working for you now, and I'm sorry I couldn't give you a better answer on the first go—there was too much missing information from your first post.

Yes, some older software does not have built-in PDF output, but you never said what software or what versions you are using. Microsoft Word 6, which came out in 1993, is a prime example of older software that does have built-in PDF output using the Acrobat toolbar. (I expect you wouldn't be able to run something quite that old on Windows 10 though!)

Anyway, best to you and I'm glad it's all working,

Jane

[Ofelia22326944srek · Accepted solution]

I solved this problem, after changing atribute read only to none for folder 

"C:\Windows\Temp\Acrobat Distiller DC"

[exoclb]

Thanks mate !!

[KoolAidJamma]

Same thing happened to me. Just tried your suggestion and it worked!!! You're a lifesaver! Thank you sooo much and big thanks to the OP for making this post to help me find the solution!