Latest Adobe Acrobat (64-bit) update keeps failing Error 1402

[ruzicka4613@q.com]

I have tried several times now to install an update to Acrobat (64-bit) on my Microsoft Surface Pro.  The update keeps failing with the following error"

error 1402.could not open key: hkey_local_machine32\software\microsoft\internet explorer\main\featurecontrol\feature_browser_emulation

This is odd for a couple of reasons:

1) Internet Explorer is no longer installed on the tablet.

2) When I look in REGEDIT, there is a "hkey_local_machine", but not "hkey_local_machine32".

[Jeffrey_A_Wright]

Ruzicka, sorry you are encountering Error 1402 while installing Acrobat. This error occurs because the installer does not have sufficient access to update the Windows registry.

How to Fix Error 1402 When Installing Adobe Acrobat

Why this happens:
Error 1402 means the installer cannot open a registry key due to insufficient permissions.

---

:white_heavy_check_mark: Step 1: Run Installer as Administrator

• Right-click the Acrobat setup file → Run as Administrator.

---

:white_heavy_check_mark: Step 2: Fix Registry Permissions

1. Open Registry Editor (regedit) as Administrator.
2. Navigate to the key mentioned in the error message (e.g.,
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData).
3. Right-click → Permissions → Grant Full Control to your user and Administrators group.
4. Click Advanced → Check Replace all child object permissions → Apply.
5. Retry installation.

---

:white_heavy_check_mark: Step 3: Use Adobe Cleaner Tool

• Download and run the Adobe Reader and Acrobat Cleaner Tool:
  https://adobe.ly/49t4V6t
• Restart your PC and reinstall Acrobat.

---

:white_heavy_check_mark: Step 4: Enable Built-in Administrator Account (if permissions fail)

1. Open Command Prompt (Admin).
2. Run: net user administrator /active:yes
3. Log in as Administrator, fix registry permissions, then install Acrobat.
4. Disable later with: net user administrator /active:no

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:white_heavy_check_mark: Step 5: Advanced Method (System Account)

• Download PsExec from Microsoft Sysinternals.
• Run: psexec.exe -d -i -s regedit.exe
• Modify permissions for problematic keys under Installer\UserData.

---

Extra Tips

• Temporarily disable antivirus or endpoint protection.
• Ensure no other Adobe installer is running.
• If all else fails, create a new Windows user with admin rights and try the installation there.

^JW

[ruzicka4613@q.com]

Thanks, but again, the error message specified "hkey_local_machine32", NOT "hkey_local_machine".  As I am running 64-bit Windows 11,  "hkey_local_machine32" does not exist.  So why the installer is trying to access it is a complete mystery.

[S. S]

Hi ruzicka4613@q.com,

Hope you are doing well. Thanks for the response, and sorry for the trouble with installing Acrobat.

Even though Internet Explorer has been retired, many Windows components and installers still reference legacy Internet Explorer registry keys for compatibility.

Acrobat uses FEATURE_BROWSER_EMULATION to control the behavior of embedded browser components. These settings remain part of Windows, even on systems where IE is no longer visible or usable.

Therefore, the error is not due to Internet Explorer being missing. 

Next, there is no actual key named hkey_local_machine32. The installer is attempting to access the 32-bit view of the registry settings.

Windows maintains two internal registry views, namely the 64-bit view and the 32-bit view (WOW6432Node).

So, the path being accessed is HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\FeatureControl\FEATURE_BROWSER_EMULATION.

If that path is missing, corrupted, or inaccessible due to permissions, it throws error 1402.

All of the above was the root cause of the error. Now, let's try a step:

• Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter

• Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\FeatureControl

• Right-click FeatureControl → Permissions

• Make sure both Administrators and SYSTEM have full control

• Click Advanced: Ensure permissions are inherited

• Click OK

• Close Registry Editor

• Retry the Acrobat update

 Let us know how it goes.

Regards,
Souvik.

[ruzicka4613@q.com]

I tried as instructed, even running REGEDIT as Administrator.

After the step "Click Advanced: Ensure permissions are inherited:, I clicked OK.

The following error came up:

• Unable to save permission changes on FeatureControl
• Access is denied

I closed out REGEDIT and tried again with the same result.

So unfortunately this did not work.

[S. S]

Hi ruzicka4613@q.com,

Thanks for writing back.

From the error messages, it seems like you do not have sufficient permissions on the user account. 

Would you mind trying the same on a new local administrator account and check if it works for you?

Regards,
Souvik.

[ruzicka4613@q.com]

I am the only user on this Surface Pro, and am the Administrator.  As such, I have no idea how I am supposed to get MORE permissions.

I have also looked for this Adobe Acrobat Cleaning Tool, but cannot find it.  The closest I can find is a "Creative Cloud" tool, but when I run it, it gives no options for fixing Acrobat.

[ruzicka4613@q.com]

Also, in case it mean anything, I found that, besides not being able to install the Acrobat update, I can not repair or uninstall Acrobat.

[S. S]

Hi ruzicka4613@q.com,

Thanks for the update.

Please run the Acrobat cleaner tool https://adobe.ly/4qEZ5Vm, reboot the computer once, and install the application using the direct link https://adobe.ly/451g8IV and see if that works for you.

Regards,
Souvik.