Why has Adobe Pro loaded as 32-bit on a 64-bit laptop?

Question

Dear anyone who knows,

I have just downloaded a trial version of Adobe Acrobat Pro on to my 64-bit laptop. I was not asked to choose whether to download a 32-bit or 64-bit version so assumed it was able to detect this for itself. I also know from other software that the enterprise versions are usually 64-bit by default.

Can anyone explain:

why I couldn't get a 64-bit version?

what I need to do to get a 64-bit version?

what I'm not going to be able to do on a 32-bit version that would be possible with a 64-bit version?

Many thanks

Laura

Dave Creamer of IDEAS · Answer

To answer your title question: Why has Adobe Pro loaded as 32-bit on a 64-bit laptop?

MS Office is 32-bit by default, however, the 64-bit version of Acrobat Pro will install a PDF Maker that works with that version. My assumption is that it is still a 32-bit plugin/add-on; if it is, there won't be any speed gains there.
Most third-party Acrobat plugins are still 32 bit. Most developers have, or are developing 64-bit, versions, but it requires upgrade action on the user's end.

Eventually, all programs will be 64 bit. I suspect when the Office install becomes 64 bit by default, Acrobat will too. However, Office has the same third-party plugin problem as Acrobat--most are still 32 bit.

(I believe the current Mac version is strictly 64 bit due to the OS requirements but the PDF Maker is a joke not very effective.)

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