adobe acrobat is opening only as admin and only if enhanced security/protected mode is off

[Luzius_0590]

I use a new DELL laptop with WIN11, and after some dayes, adobe acrobat is opening only as admin and only if enhanced security/protected mode is off

First, everything worked, but then, I do not know why, it does not react expept as a admin.

With processMonitor, I could find no trace of the reader if I try to start it as a standard use,

I tried all possible folder  and registry permission issues with ChatGPT, but nothing helped.

Alos reinstalling even with the cleaner tool didn't change anything!

[jane-e]

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@Luzius_0590 wrote:

adobe acrobat is opening only as admin

With processMonitor, I could find no trace of the reader 

I've moved your post from Using the Community to the Acrobat forum.

Your subject says "Adobe Acrobat" while you body says "reader". Please tell us which you are using, because they have different forums.

Jane

[Luzius_0590]

It is the Adobe Acrobat reader version 2025.001.20693 ¦-64bit

[Amal.]

Hi there,

Hope you are doing well and thanks for reaching out.

From what you described, it sounds like Acrobat is only launching when run as an administrator and with Enhanced Security/Protected Mode turned off. Since it worked normally at first, something on your system may have changed (Windows update, permission settings, or security software restrictions).

Here are a few steps you can try:

1. Check Compatibility Settings

Right-click on the Acrobat shortcut → Properties → Compatibility tab.

Make sure “Run this program as an administrator” is not checked.

2. Reset Acrobat Preferences  as described here https://adobe.ly/3Iiaqu2 

3. Repair Installation

Open Acrobat → Help → Repair Installation.

4. Check Security Software

Sometimes antivirus or endpoint protection tools interfere with Acrobat’s Protected Mode. Temporarily disable or add Acrobat as an exception to test.

Let us know how it goes.

~Amal | Team Adobe Acrobat

[Luzius_0590]

I tried all the possibilities you described, I did even uninstall totally and reinstall, I tried another user, AND I have no security software except the Windows security and microsoft defender, but NO SUCCESS!

[jane-e]

It is the Adobe Acrobat reader version 2025.001.20693 ¦-64bit

By @Luzius_0590

Thank you for letting us know that you are using the free Acrobat Reader and not Acrobat Pro. I've moved your post to the Acrobat Reader forum.

Jane

[Luzius_0590 · Accepted solution]

Finally, I could solve the issue:

Adobe Acrobat Reader was put to sleep by CCleaner (may be, I did it by mistake ...?). When I did set it to "wake up", it did run normally.

Funny enough, I could now activate Enhanced Security/Protected Mode, and it did still run.

After putting it top sleep again, and restart, it still runs with Enhanced Security/Protected Mode active!!

Who does understand what happened?

[AnandSri · Accepted solution]

Hello @Luzius_0590

Glad to hear you were able to get Reader working again. What likely happened is that when CCleaner put Adobe Acrobat Reader to sleep, it temporarily disabled background processes and services that Acrobat relies on to function properly, including those related to Enhanced Security/Protected Mode. When you reactivated Acrobat, it may have reinitialized its security modules in a cleaner state, allowing it to run smoothly—even with Enhanced Security enabled.

Thanks again for sharing—your insight might help others facing similar issues!

Regards,

Anand Sri.