Why can't I find Adobe Reader on my computer?

[CVCIT]

I work for a company with several users and we're having an issue with Adobe Reader. I download Adobe Reader from Adobe.com and it installs like normal and even confirms it's installed. However, I try and find the reader and it is nowhere to be found. It's not in the programs folder, start menu, all programs, or even Add/Remove Programs. Please help. If you need any information just let me know.

[pwillener]

Since you mention Add/Remove Programs I assume that you are on Windows (XP?).

Further assuming that you installed Reader XI, how did you install it - using the download manager (install_reader11_en_mssd_aih.exe), or the offline installer from http://get.adobe.com/reader/enterprise/ (AdbeRdr11000_en_US.exe) ?

Using the offline installer you can modify the install location; did you do that?

By default Reader XI would install in C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 11.0\Reader

You didn't get a desktop shortcut either?

[CVCIT]

This is on Windows XP. I installed by going to Adobe.com, scolled down to Adobe Reader and clicked on it. It took me to the download page and I clicked the 'download now' button. There is no sign of it being installed on the computers.

[~graffiti]

But did you install it. That link will download the installer (probably in your downloads folder). After downloading, you need to double click the installer icon.

[CVCIT]

Yes the download manager installs it and then confirms it was installed afterwards. I've done this many times before and the program is always installed and available.

[pwillener]

I can only suggest that you try the offline installer from my earlier link.

[~graffiti]

Yes then try Pat's suggestion (offline installer) and see what happens.

(I know asking you if you installed it sounded like a dumb question but you'd be surprised how many people haven't done that part)

[CVCIT]

Yea I tried the Offline Installer when you suggested it but it also did not work. Thank you for your help, if you guys can think of anything else please let me know.

[Claudio González]

You can try using this tool to remove all traces of previous version(s) of Reader:

http://labs.adobe.com/downloads/acrobatcleaner.html

Then you can try again the offline installer suggested by Pat.

[pwillener]

This is a very curious thing; never seen this before...

If Claudio's suggestion above also does not work, can you try the MSI installer http://ardownload.adobe.com/pub/adobe/reader/win/11.x/11.0.00/en_US/AdbeRdr11000_en_US.msi

[CVCIT]

I tried the MSI installer that you posted and it worked. Do you have any idea why this worked and the other ways didn't? Thank you again for your help I appreciate it.

[pwillener]

Glad it finally worked, but I have no idea why the standard installer did not work.

If you need future versions of the MSI installer you can navigate the Adobe FTP site ftp://ftp.adobe.com/pub/adobe/reader/win/

Note that only releases like 11.0, 11.1, etc come with an MSI installer; minor releases like 11.0.1 will only issue an MSP update patch.