Acrobat Reader installer says (at 90%) newer version already installed; not true. Have Windows 7

[vjaroslaw]

QUESTION: Dear Adobe Engineers:

I was prompted the other day to update Adobe Reader to address a security issue, which I always do when prompted. It would not update. It was suggested (by Adobe) to uninstall and try reinstalling. Instead of reinstalling, it kept stalling, always at 90%.  I did use your cleaning tool, 'AdbeARCleaner,' emptied the trash, restarted, numerous times- noting. Now I cannot open PDF files. I once had a legacy version of Acrobat (5, I believe), but I deleted the folders which were empty anyway. I've deleted everything saying Adobe from the registry. Still nothing.  I am utterly stuck. I have administrator privileges- it's my personal laptop. I have Windows 7. Please help. Victor Jaroslaw

[email removed ussnorway]

Thank You.

VJ

[AnandSri]

Hi Vjaroslaw,

I am sorry for the trouble you had with Adobe Reader, please reboot the machine once and if you have a security software, please disable it temporarily.

Try downloading Adobe Reader from Adobe - Adobe Acrobat Reader DC Distribution

Once the setup is downloaded, Right-click on the setup file and click on ‘properties’.

Click on the ‘compatibility’ tab and check the box ‘Run this program in compatibility mode for’ and select Windows XP SP3 operating system from the drop down menu and proceed with the installation.

Once this is done, restart the computer and locate the Adobe Reader icon, right click and choose 'Run as Administrator'.

If you still experience any issue, create a test user profile with full admin rights and install Adobe Reader and check.

Please post a screenshot of the error you get, to post a screenshot, refer to https://forums.adobe.com/docs/DOC-7043#jive_content_id_How_do_I_attach_a_screenshot

let us know how it goes and share your observation.

Thanks,

Anand Sri.

[vjaroslaw]

Hi, AnandSri:

Thank you for your detailed, quick, and very useful reply; I had almost

given up in despair when I called the tech-support phone line and was told

that the ubiquitous free version of Acrobat Reader DC which I had, and

which is universally used on the Web, was no longer supported.

I am saving your invaluable information as I am sure it will come in handy.

Here's what transpired: I was able to recover my Acrobat Reader DC (before

I received your email), but* not* by downloading it. (I had first tried

almost everything I read online- disabled any anti-malware, downloaded

Microsoft Visual C++ after renaming potentially corrupted .dll files in the

registry, etc. etc.- all to no avail.)

It occurred to me to use Windows 7's System Restore, and luckily enough,

there was one restore-point remaining on a date and time before I had

uninstalled and tried unsuccessfully to reinstall my Acrobat Reader.

Miraculously, the program reappeared on my laptop. That was even after

using Adobe's own cleaning software numerous times. I was very pleased. The

Adobe updater reappeared as well- once again advising me to update an

essential security patch.

As a conscientious user, this I always do; but now, even armed with your

valuable information, I am a bit afraid to try it again. I do not want to

leave myself open to malicious software via Acrobat Reader; on the other

hand, the program is essential in my daily work and study.

I have no idea why I kept getting "Error 1722," either that, or "Newer

software already installed," depending on which Adobe site I tried to

download from. (BTW, I kept getting Error 1722 even after repeatedly

deleting the suspect .dll files that were touted by one of the Adobe

threads as the 'best' solution. If you have any advice, I'll take it,but I

do not want to abuse your valuable time.

Once again, kind thanks, both to you, and to your colleagues at Adobe- for

responding, and of course for providing these wonderful products in the

first place.

Victor Jaroslaw

Brooklyn, New York.

[AnandSri · Accepted solution]

Hello Victor,

I am sorry for the delayed response and for the inconvenience caused, please reboot the machine once and then download Adobe Reader from ftp://ftp.adobe.com/pub/adobe/reader/win/AcrobatDC/1900820081/

Download the setup file AcroRdrDC1900820081_en_US.exe and complete the installation process.

If you still experience any issue, please create a test user profile with full admin rights and install Adobe Reader from above URL and check.

let us know how it works in a new user profile.

Thanks for your time and patience thus far.

Regards,

Anand Sri.

[Nicolas273594201dmp]

I'm trying to install acrobat since 1 year, every few months, it is always blocking at 90%. The computer is win10, everything up to date, on a decent hardware.

This post have been seen 17.6k time since 4 years and the problem still persists. No legal way to open a pdf with the official reader.

[AkanchhaS]

Hi @Nicolas273594201dmp 

Sorry to see that you are still struggling with this issue. 

If we understand correctly, it's the same PC on which you have been trying to complete the installation in the last year?

If yes, then please try the steps suggested below: 

1- Create a hidden admin account on your system: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/how-to-enable-the-hidden-administrator-in-wind... 

2- 

Run this cleaner tool to remove the existing installer and application’s files traces:

https://www.adobe.com/devnet-docs/acrobatetk/tools/Labs/cleaner.html

3- 

Download the Acrobat installer from here:

https://get.adobe.com/reader/enterprise/ 

Let us know if it still doesn't work.

Thanks,

Akanchha