Fatal error Acrobat failed to connect to a dde server

[dscycler]

Acrobat Reader DC won't start in Windows 10 Build 14915

Launching Acrobat Reader DC from the Start menu. After a long wait this message appears:

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Fatal Error

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Acrobat failed to connect to a DDE server.

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OK 

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Same with a double click on a pdf file in file explorer. Reader was working fine in Windows 10 Build 14905 this afternoon before I updated.

What to do besides rolling back to 14905?

As a work around I made the Microsoft program 'Reader' the default for pdf files as they open fine in Reader.

Thanks.

[Adorobat]

Hi dscycler

Try to perform the steps given in this link: I have been getting the "acrobat fail to send a DDE command"

Let us know if it worked.

Thank You,

Shivam

[dscycler]

I already saw that post and tried all the methods mentioned. This is a Windows 10 issue and a notification to the reader Dev Team. Windows 10 build 14915.1000 breaks it. In the previous fast track Win10 build 14905 reader worked fine.

[Adorobat]

Hi dscycler ,

Could you let us know the dot version of Acrobat Reader installed on the machine?

Try to perform following steps:

1- Launch Acrobat, click on Edit>then click Preferences>Security (Enhanced)>uncheck Enable Protected Mode at startup> click OK and then restart Reader.

2- If step 1 doesn't work, check if there is any update available for Reader.

Let us know about the results.

[dscycler]

Hi,

The acrobat version is 15.17.20050.192152. It does not even load the gui in Windows 10 Version 1607 (OS Build 14915.1000).

This is a "Known Issue" according to Microsoft. See Known issues for PC in Announcing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 14915 for PC and Mobile | Windows Experience Blog

David

[Adorobat · Accepted solution]

Hi dscycler  ,

Try to remove DC using Cleaner tool found here: Download Adobe Reader and Acrobat Cleaner Tool - Adobe Labs​, restart the computer and then reinstall Adobe Reader DC from here:  Adobe - Adobe Acrobat Reader DC Distribution .

Let us know about the results.

Thank You,

Shivam

[dscycler]

This worked! Clean, Reboot and Install new download... Thank you! David