This time, I deleted my C:Config.msi folder, but left my "C:\Windows\Installer\Config.msi" folder.
This time the installer ran and created its own folder C:\Config.msi. Once again, it is inaccessible to me, so no help. However, this proves that the installer requires that it creates its own folder with its own permissions; effectively an impenetrable lock on its contents!
It ran until the first error 1328 about applying patch to "C:\Config.msi\PT48D9.tmp".
I then left the error message while I copied the entire contents of C:\ Program Files\Adobe\ to a new folder.
I exported the registry at this point. My expectations being that this state represents the initial installation of the reader and it is only the patch/updates that are failing.
Aaagh. After copying the Adobe folder back to Program Files and importing the registry- it said it could not replace all registry keys because some files are in use.
I ran it again and checked through the registry. There are manyAdobe keys there now, so hopefully the required keys were added. No programs menu entry or Add/remove programs entry though.
So I ran the installer again, hoping that this time it will repair the install and finish properly.
Ah.. it reached further than before... it installed registry entries and a shortcut to the desktop... a start menu entry right at the top...optimised.... Setup completed. An entry is now in the 'Uninstall or Change a Program' list too.
The reader runs and Itried running its 'Repair Installation' option, just to be sure.
It did throw up three errors about AdobeCollabSync.exe not locating the procedure entry point WinHttpWebSocketCompleteUpgrade in WINHTTP.dll, but otherwise completed.
I also opened Programs and features and selected Adobe Reader and selected repair. It popped up te same three errors, so they are possibly existing errors in this version. They shouldn't stop Reader from reading pdfs.
So- what a palava just to get thye reader installed.
Hello @CoathamPier
I hope you are doing well. Thank you for taking all the extensive steps and sharing the details here.
Error 1328: "Error applying patch to file C:\Config.msi*.tmp"
This typically occurs when the installer tries to apply a patch to a file that has already been modified or is locked.
It’s often linked to corrupted cached files in C:\Windows\Installer\$PatchCache$ or permission issues in C:\Config.msi.
Error 1721: "A program required for this install to complete could not be run."
This is a Windows Installer error indicating that a custom action (like a script or executable) failed to execute properly.
Error 15021: "Setup was interrupted before Adobe Acrobat Reader could be completely installed."
This is a generic rollback error, often triggered by earlier failures, such as 1328 or 1721.
Run the Acrobat Cleaner tool to remove the installed app and all the related folders. Restart the machine, and download the compatible version of Acrobat Reader from the direct link, which supports Windows 7. Right-click the installer and choose “Run as administrator”. Ensure your user account has full administrative privileges. After installation, disable automatic updates:
Open Reader, then go to Menu > Preferences > Updater and uncheck 'Automatically install updates'.
If feasible, upgrading to Windows 10 or later will resolve these installer and WebSocket errors completely. The latest versions of Acrobat Reader are optimized and supported only on Windows 10 and Windows 11.
I hope this helps.
Thanks,
Anand Sri.
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