the acrobat reader that is running cannot be used to view PDF files in a browser

[_Bob_Bell_]

The subject says it all. I'm unable to open a link to a pdf file.
I'm using Mozilla on a Win 2000 machine.
Version 8.1.2 worked fine. I see some people have reverted back to this version. Is that the only fix?

[PapaSunny]

Thanks!!

Brent A. Johnson

Woods Cross High School

SPED & Multimedia

>>> Maharaja1948 <forums@adobe.com> 9/24/2010 9:12 AM >>>

Adobe's Support page for KB 405461 helped me with the following:

1. Go to Start > Run

2. Type regedit and click OK.

3. Go to Edit > New > Key and create the missing HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Software\Adobe\Acrobat\Exe.

4. Go to Edit > New > String Value and name this key (Default).

5. Select (Default), and then go to Edit > Modify. Type the default path (listed above) in the "Value data" for your product.

6. Restart your computer.

for some funny reason, the executable was pointing to non-existing folder of 'Adobe Version 7'.

[_vfr700f2_]

I have XP Pro SP3, Internet Explorer 7 and Adobe Reader 9, and have this problem too. Tried to uninstall 9, got message that another installation was in progress, and to finish that installation. I couldn't find a way to fix that. Tried to delete Reader 9 one file at a time. Some couldn't be deleted. Was going to try to go back to Reader 8. Finally made it to the bottom of this thread, and saw Jerry's post above. It worked for me too! Too bad this answer can't be moved to the top.

Here's the simple solution:
1. Open Adobe 9
2. Select Help on main Toolbar
3. Select "Repair Adobe Reader Installation"

[_Eric_Van_De_Ven_]

I have Acrobat reader 8.1 and Adobe pro 9 and was having the same problem.
Here is what worked for me:
Go into version 9 and go to the "edit" tab. Go down to "preferences" and click on "internet".
Un check "display in web browser" and close Adobe 9.

Now when I open an on line PDF, it opens like it should in Reader 8.

You may have to go into Reader 8 and do the same as above, except, make sure that "display in web browser" is checked.

[_winston_bruce_]

When I try to open a PDf file it requests that I indicate the operating system and language and try though I may, I am unable to open it. What must I do to open it. It is very frustrating to have Adobe Reader and still can't open PDF files.

[logandad]

I'm running Firefox.  I also have both reader and Acrobat installed.  I had to go to Tools/Options/Applications scroll to Adobe Acrobat Document and set the dropdown to "Use Adobe Reader 9.1 (default)".  It had previously been set to "Always Ask".  That seemed to work.  I also did the same thing in IE (the menus are a bit different), and I could open them in IE, too.  I'd previously made sure all the old files from previous versions were deleted, as suggested by others.  I also set both Reader and Acrobat to not open in browser as suggested by others.  Not particularly intuitive set of steps, but it seems to be working now!

[J-R0d]

I followed all the instruction in that thread, and I still had the same result with my browser crashing.   But I did see in this thread that there was the ability to turn off adobe from opening in a brwoser window as a workaround.  So, I tried that.  The result is that this works.  The documents open in Adobe rather than in IE or Firefox, and work fine.  So, there seems to be some issue with the interaction of reader and the browser.  My original thread on this is

http://forums.adobe.com/message/1910049

[knoxbury]

I was able to fix this by opening Adobe Reader 9 and going to Help > Repair Adobe Reader Installation.  I was surprised this simple trick did it after months of investigation and trial and error.

[rsw04572]

1. Check here

2. Then review browser options...select correct reader.

[SteveBuckley]

I have spent hours on this crap - really annoyed me.  We pushed this out via GP with the Customisation Wizard stating is Acrobat installed use this first etc...

We got the following error:

'The Adobe Acrobat/Reader that is running can not be used to view PDF files in a Web Browser. Adobe Acrobat/Reader version 8 or 9 is required. Please exit and try again.'

However after following all the advice, none of it worked.  I could not get the cannot be used message to go away.

However...

I have fixed my issues.

Run this regedit script or enter it manually.  Do not forget the quotes in the file location bit - that matters!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Software\Adobe\Acrobat\Exe]

@="\"C:\\Program Files\\Adobe\\Reader 9.0\\Reader\\AcroRd32.exe\""

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This has worked every time, make sure you run it as an Administrator.  I hope I save you guys some time!

Steve

[Guest]

I have found the same issues with some of the PC's on our network. So I will give an example: We are a group of Auto Dealerships, and one of my users was claiming that on a website that they use for work purposes (a General Motors Website) that a particular location that he goes to within the website he clicks on a link to download a PDF file. So he will click on the link, and the PDF file opens up. Then he will close the PDF file, and click on the same link and the web browser will lock up for about 90 seconds. Eventually you will recieve the mysterious message ( A problem has been encountered with Adobe Reader and must close) So you allow Adobe Reader to close and if you go to any other website and open Adobe PDF files within IE 7 all open fine, no problem at all. So I 1st went after IE7 thinking that there was an issue, so I downgraded back to IE6, and still the same issue. So then I upgraded to IE8 and still the same issue. Booted the PC in Safe Mode, and the issue goes away, so now I am wondering what does not load in IE when in Safe Mode. I then in turn upgraded to Adobe Reader 9.3.1, and still the same issue, but not when in Safe Mode. So what fails to load in Safe Mode when opening IE. The Google Toolbar. So I uninstalled the Google Toolbar, and no issue from that point on. So I went and downloaded the Google Toolbar again, and low a behold, the issue crops right back up again. So does anyone have any ideas as to why the Google Toolbar would be causing this issue?

[PapaSunny]

I installed Adobe Acrobat Reader 9.3 last night and was having the exact same problem.  This morning I went to "START" and in the "Start Search" box/option I typed "Adobe" to see if I could find any older versions that might be competing with the new 9.3.  As soon as I started the search (clicked on the magnifying glass) I received the message that the computer needed to initialize Adobe Acrobat 9.  As soon as it finished initializing I could open any PDF in a window browser.

[wattscott]

I have install Adobe Acrobat Reader 9.3 and view online ebooks and it works well. maybe the website you login doesn't support. Can you show me the website and the details about the error? As far as I know, adobe reader can dierctly view .pdf webpages.

[Guest]

I cannot really give you the website, as the website I was having the issue with, is a private

website. But having said that, the issue turned out to be a conflict with the Google Toolbar. When the Google

toolbar was installed, and I attempted to open certain pdf files, the PC would lock up for maybe 2 minutes, and then the message would pop up that Adobe Reader has a problem and must close. this only happpened if you tried to open this particualr pdf file more than one time, without logging off the website and closing the web browser (Internet Explorer 7 or 8). After uninstalling the Google toolbar, the issue went away.

[PapaSunny]

I got it working. Thanks!

>>> wattscott 04/06/10 9:33 PM >>>

I have install Adobe Acrobat Reader 9.3 and view online ebooks and it works well. maybe the website you login doesn't support. Can you show me the website and the details about the error? As far as I know, adobe reader can dierctly view .pdf webpages.

[Hammercouch]

Thanks for the information. 

[KS55]

Same problem here, but different solution.  This is for MS Vista operating system.  Start Adobe Reader 9, then choose Edit, then select Preferences.  Then click Interent under the Categories Menu.  In the Web Browser Options section, you will see 3 boxes.  Check only the Allow Fast Web View box.  Click OK,  then exit Acrobat Reader.  Restart Internet Explorer.  Hope this helps!

[Guest]

This worked for me:

Start

Run

regedit

Browse to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Software

Right click on Software, New, Key

Type Adobe and hit enter

Right click on Adobe, New, Key

Type Acrobat and hit enter

Right click on Acrobat, New, Key

Type Exe and hit enter

Click on Exe and double click on (Default) on the right and enter the text below including the quotations:

"C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 9.0\Reader\AcroRd32.exe"

Click OK

Problem solved.

Good luck!

[WesleyGC]

I may have missed this "fix" if so, sorry. I am able to view pdf files in my browser by going into CONTROL PANEL and TURNING USER CONTROL to OFF. It's a pain and I hate it but it works. I just need to remember to turn ACCOUNT CONTROL back ON or I have other issues.

I've read the edit of the registry fix but I'm ascared of messing with that!

I am using Adobe Reader 9 Version 9.4.0 and have tried all of the solutions on the support page.

System:             Dell Inspiron 530

Processor:          Intel(R) Celeron(R) CPU 450 @ 2.20GHz 2.19 GHz

Memory (RAM):   2.00 GB

System Type:     32-bit Operationg System

Windows Vista Home Basic

Service Pack 2

All Windows Updates have been installed. The last update installation was:

Definition Update for Microsoft Security Essentials - KB972696 (Definition 1.91.1885.0)

Installation date: ‎10/‎16/‎2010 5:58 AM

Installation status: Successful

Windows IE 8

Version: 8.0.6001.18975

Cipher Strength: 256-bit

Product ID: 01402-997-7332166-00096

Update Versions: 0

[icadirector]

Yea Roxanne--your solution worked.  You rock!!

[Hiker_JoeH]

Flowers and chocolate!! Thank you, Roxanne!!