Blocking Adobe Reader from installing

Report · Jan 29, 2016

I have a purchased copy of Adobe Acrobat X Pro installed on my computer. When my wife visits some of her favorite web sites that have a .pdf file she wants to read, and clicks on the file, the website automatically installs the latest version of Adobe Reader on my computer.

When this happens, it makes Adobe Reader the default program for .pdf files. I am running Windows Pro 10. If I go into the Default Programs - Set Associations - then try to set Adobe Acrobat Pro X as the default program to open all .pdf files, I am not able to make the change. Adobe Reader will be re-established as the default program for all .pdf files.

The only way I am able to make the change is to use the Uninstall Programs option of the Control Panel to remove Adobe Reader. How can I block the installation of Adobe Reader on my computer so that I do not have to go through this procedure on a daily basis? I use the edit features of Adobe Acrobat Pro X to edit documents that I use on a weekly basis. Adobe Reader does not have the edit features that I use available.

Thank you for any suggestions you may offer.

Regards,

Ed Wood

edward_wood@bellsouth.net

Report · Jan 29, 2016

Hi edward_wood@bellsouth.net

Disabled PDF viewer plugin from the web browser or right click on the PDF link in the website & download it on the system & open it using Reader/Acrobat application.

Regards,
Aadesh

Report · Feb 12, 2016

T‌hanks Aadesh, for responding to my question. However that solution does not solve my problem. I know that I can right click on the .pdf file and select Adobe Acrobat to open the file but that is annoying having to do this ev time I open a .pdf file.

I don't understand why Adobe Reader automatically downloads and installs itself every time I open a .pdf file online. It will then make itself or Microsoft Edge (I am running Windows 10 Pro) as the default reader and prevents me from making Adobe Acrobat Pro X as the default program. I must uninstall Adobe Reader in order to make Adobe Acrobat the default. Then, the next time I try to open a .pdf file online, the same routine begins again!

THere must be some way to eliminate this problem without having to uninstall Adobe Reader every time it installs itself. You can't convince me that you cannot have both Adobe Reader and Adobe Acrobat residing on the same computer and have only Adobe Reader as the default for .pdf files! Does anyone have any suggestions?

Report · Feb 17, 2016

Hi edward_wood@bellsouth.net‌,

Try the solution mentioned in this KB doc.Reader/Acrobat is not the default PDF owner | Windows 10 Threshold 2

Using this solution you can restrict Microsoft Edge to be the default PDF viewer.

Once done, open Acrobat X, navigate to Edit menu -> Preferences -> General -> Click on "Set as my default PDF handler.

Now while opening the PDF from the website first download it on your system by right clicking on the PDF link & selecting "Save link as". Once the PDF is saved on your computer, double click on the PDF file to open it. It will automatically open with Acrobat X.

Also let me remind you that Acrobat X is not compatible with Windows 10, so features may or may not work.

Regards,
Aadesh