Can't open ENU-DistributionAgreement.pdf - "requires Adobe Reader 8 or higher"

[bil_hendrix]

I have received my distribution license from Adobe as a PDF (version 1.6).  However, I cannot open it using Adobe's own Reader application.

Windows 7 Pro

Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, Continuous release | Version 2018.009.20050

I get the following error message:

The document you are trying to load requires Adobe Reader 8 or higher. You may not have the Adobe Reader installed or your viewing environment may not be properly configured to use Adobe Reader.

For information on how to install Adobe Reader and configure your viewing environment please see http://www.adobe.com/go/pdf_forms_configure.

I followed the instructions at the "configure your viewing environment" link, but that did not help.

I have tried opening it with Reader's Protected View both enabled and disabled, no difference.  Same with Enhanced Security.

I have also tried to run AcroRd32.exe as Administrator - no difference.

I tried opening it on another machine (Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise, Adobe Reader XI Version 11.0.23) with the same error.

What am I supposed to do?

[Test Screen Name]

Don’t open it in your browser window. You must open it in the Reader window. You need to know that most browsers will not use Adobe technology at all.

[bil_hendrix]

Where did I say anything about trying to use a browser?

In my first sentence, I explain how I am attempting to open the PDF using the Adobe Reader application.

[Test Screen Name]

Ok, did you receive it on a web site, in email or by some other means?

If a web site how did you get it to Reader?

If email how did you get it to Reader?

If email was it direct from Adobe or through someone else?

please be detailed and specific sbout what you clicked?

[bil_hendrix]

The PDF was emailed to me as an attachment from Adobe Systems <noreply@adobe.com>.

I downloaded it to my computer, I've already specified the filename.  I attempted to open it by double-clicking it, or by right-clicking it and selecting Open with > Adobe Acrobat Reader DC.  Either way, it opens in Adobe Acrobat Reader DC (AcroRd32.exe).

[Test Screen Name]

You downloaded it to the system how EXACTLY?

[bil_hendrix]

"You downloaded it to the system how EXACTLY?"

By clicking the "Save As" button in Microsoft Outlook.

[Test Screen Name]

As well as that, please open the curious file in Reader and do File > Properties. Please post a screen shot of the Description tab under Properties (showing all the properties), thanks.

[bil_hendrix]

"As well as that, please open the curious file in Reader and do File > Properties. Please post a screen shot of the Description tab under Properties (showing all the properties), thanks."

[Test Screen Name]

Well, this is surprising. We get questions about this message constantly. Much more than 99% of the time someone is trying to use an app other than Reader, such as a browser, or the wrong platform, such as an iPhone. Not applicable here. In the other very few cases we see a messed up file, typically made by saving as PDF from the wrong kind of app. Didn't see conceivable Adobe would deliver such a bad file.

But here we see it. This seems to be the original file production software. But the file size is far too small to be the actual agreement. This seems to suggest the problem file originated at Adobe. It is JUST possible that your company has a security feature/firewall that modifies PDF files on receipt. I suggest talking to your company security people and then contacting Adobe. Adobe are the likely source, but going to be much harder to reach.

Would be interesting to hear from anyone who's received this agreement in the last 6 months about what size their file was.

[bil_hendrix]

Thanks for telling me I'm not crazy...

I will follow up w/my security folks.

I tried looking for technical support on Adobe's website...led me to this forum and you.

sorry, i can't share the file.

the good news in all this is that it is not technically holding anything up:  I can log in and download the Adobe files that I need for redistribution.  it just irks me that I cannot open the PDF that Adobe emailed me.

[try67]

Would it be possible for you to share this file with us (via Dropbox, Google Drive, Adobe Cloud, etc.)?

[Test Screen Name]

When I say to contact Adobe I don't mean technical or customer support. They can't help with a bad file. I mean the specific person or department who sent that file.

[bil_hendrix]

That would have been the very first thing I would have done..but this email was from an Adobe bot.

From: Adobe Systems <noreply@adobe.com>

To: (me)

Subject: Adobe Software Distribution Request - TrackID: 123456-78901234

Dear (me),

blah blah blah

Regards,
Adobe Systems Incorporated
This is an auto-generated e-mail. Please do not respond to this message for customer service issues.

No help there.

[Test Screen Name]

Yes, I see the problem. The interesting thing is that, if this bot is broken, it will probably be doing this to everyone...

[bil_hendrix]

Just for laughs, I tried Adobe's chat support.  I chatted briefly with an agent...

Not really a shocker, they could not help.  While I am waiting on the firewall guys to get back to me, I thought I'd give his suggestion to try Acrobat Pro DC a whirl, since there is a free 7 day trial.  Guest what?  Yup, didn't work either.  Of course, if the PDF is indeed already corrupt/modified, then this is not surprising.

[Test Screen Name]

I'm going on the size. It isn't big enough to contain the actual contract!

[janrangel]

If you are using google you need to remove their pdf program attached to the browser.  Did it and problem solved

[~graffiti · Accepted solution]

Yes. That was basically discussed already. The original poster is using Outlook, not a web browser. Which is what makes this unusual. Since it's an older post, I assume they have figured it out.