Incomplete Uninstall: Help required for removing the Adobe Folder in order to re-download and install Acrobat DC

[liamw74]

Hello

I am using a laptop that is running Windows 10.

For some reason (I am not sure why and cannot recall what may have been the exact trigger), I was unable to continue using Acrobat Reader DC for viewing course readings. This happened late on Sunday/early yesterday. I attempted to uninstall Adobe via the Settings panel, which I eventually succeeded in doing. There is no trace of any Adobe products in there. However there is still a 'corrupted' file in my C://Program Files(x86) and I cannot delete or remove it. I assume that this is why I cannot download a replacement version of the reader?

I have followed the troubleshooting instructions as best as I can (downloading and using the Adobe Cleaner). I then tried to re-download the software. However, if I try to download a new version from Adobe's own site, then the installation fails, with an error message saying that there is already a newer version on the machine. I return to try and eliminate any trace of the program/programs on my laptop by running the Cleaner again, but it says that it cannot find either Acrobat or Reader installed on my machine.

I am caught in a loop and no amount of forum searching has provided help as yet - not even third party apps, as they only target the Settings/Control Panel route which I have already tried.

I am hoping that if I can remove the Adobe file from my registry somehow, then I will be able to download afresh.

Does anyone have any ideas? This is significantly problematic as I try to keep up with my courses and the alternative is to utilise a different company's product, as the Reader App does not have the features that I require.

If I can rectify this ASAP, I can get back on to reinstalling it.

Desperately in need of help please!

Regards,

Liam

[John T Smith]

https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/kb/cc-cleaner-tool-installation-problems.html

[liamw74]

Hello John

Thank you for the suggestion. Despite having followed it and using the Adobe cleaner as suggested, the Adobe Folder in my C: Program Files (x86) is still there, with the corrupted Adobe Acrobat DC inside. ("corrupted or unreadable" is the error message explanation that pops up when trying to open it.)

I require a means of eliminating the Adobe file from my directory. Do you have alternative suggestions?

Regards,

Liam

[Test Screen Name]

Can't you delete the folder? What happens?

[liamw74]

Nothing. The 'Adobe' folder remains in C://Program Files (x86) despite attempts to delete it. Inside this folder is the corrupted/unreadable Adobe Acrobat DC. The most that I could do was to send it to the desktop, but even then I was unable to drag it into the recycle bin.

[liamw74]

Sorry, repeatedly I have tried to and I cannot. Out of ideas from trying normal methods. It just will not budge!

[Bani Verma]

Moving to Installing, Updating, & Subscribing to Acrobat​

[Doug Hanna]

Liam,

Start with the machine freshly rebooted and in the cleaned, yet broken, state.

Delete the C:\Program Files\.... Adobe Reader - right click and delete - Nuke with extreme prejudice from orbit - don't let it go into the garbage can.  Note - Just the Reader folder - not the entire Program Files nor Adobe folders!!!!!!

Download CCLEANER - CCleaner - PC Optimization and Cleaning - Free Download and run both the system and Registry Cleaner.  This will require Admin rights.  Uncheck clean browser history, cookies, etc., if you wish to keep those.

Reboot.

Download the enterprise version of Reader - Adobe - Adobe Acrobat Reader DC Distribution .  This is an actual installer - not the shim tool from the regular website.

Install

Reboot

See how that goes.

Yes, even under Win10 performing several reboots after clean/install steps can make a big difference on whether things are actually decoupled and cleaned up or just in some bizarre purgatory state.

Ping back if questions.

Thanks

Doug

[liamw74]

Thank you Doug

Unfortunately I cannot get past the 'Delete the Adobe/Reader folder' stage! Repeatedly I have tried to and I cannot. Out of ideas from trying normal methods and not sure how to nuke from orbit short of formatting it. It just will not budge! I ran the CCleaner, hoping that it would make a difference. The Adobe folder (and Reader folder inside of it) are still there.

I downloaded and ran the new Adobe download as you recommended, hoping it might offer to overwrite it. No luck!

The error that I have to deal with is below.

[Test Screen Name]

Look at it this way.... If you can't delete the folder, how could Adobe install anything there.... So, can you post a screen shot showing the error when you try to delete so it's absolutely clear what you are doing and what happens.

[liamw74]

Hi

This is the screenshot of the error - it was posted in response to an earlier thread. I am currently being advised to Download and boot up Ubuntu in order to wipe this file. This seems like far more effort to go through than should be expected.

There is absolutely no discernible response when I attempt to delete the corrupted folders.

[Test Screen Name]

Something's clearly wrong with your system if trying to delete a folder gives no error and no success. This isn't about a fault with the Adobe software. You may need expert (hands on) help in sorting this out.

[liamw74]

Thank you

This is something that I was desperately hoping to avoid, having already performed a format and reinstall earlier this year. It would be another major inconvenience to go through. There are alternative programs that I could download and use in the interim for the same purposes, but it will nag me that I have a corrupted folder sitting on my PC.

[Test Screen Name]

By the way, error 1392 means "The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable." This is very serious. Be sure you've backed up everything important, the disk could be failing.

[Test Screen Name]

If a disk is failing you're likely to have no choice. You shouldn't ignore it, corrupt disk errors can spread if ignored.  At least, AFTER BACKING UP, run a disk scan (right click on disk, properties, tools).