adobe application manager interfering with acrobat pro xi

[muhaldim]

My CC subscription recently expired (and I'll be able to renew it when the new semester starts through my institution).  In the meanwhile, I have Acrobat Pro XI, which I purchased a few years ago.  When I try to open Acrobat Pro XI, it launches Adobe Application manager, which tells me to renew my creative cloud subscription and closes Acrobat Pro.  Since Acrobat Pro XI isn't part of the CC subscription, is there any way to prevent Adobe Application manager from interfering with my use of Acrobat Pro XI?

[kglad]

after securing your acrobat pro xi serial number, uninstall it.

then reinstall using the acrobat pro xi installation file and your serial number.  do not allow the cc desktop app to update your acrobat pro or it will be converted to subscription.

Downloadable installation files available:

• Suites and Programs:    CC 2017 |  CC 2015.5 | CC 2015 | CC 2014 | CC | CS6 | CS5.5 | CS5 | CS4, CS4 Web Standard | CS3
• Acrobat:  DC, XI, X | X Suite | 9,8 | 9 pro extended exe,9 pro extended 7z  | 9 standard    | 8 standard
• Captivate:  9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5.5, 5 | 1
• Cold Fusion:  11, 10 | 9.0.2, 9.0.1, 9.0.0, 8.0.1, 8.0.0, 7.0, 6.1, 6.0, 5.0, 4.0
• Contribute:  CS5 | CS4, CS3 | 3,2
• FrameMaker:  12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7.2
• Lightroom:    6.8| 5.7.1|  4.4 | 3.6
• Photoshop Elements:  15,14,13,12,11,10,9,8 | 9,8,7 win | 8 mac | 7 mac
• Premiere Elements:  15,14,13,12,11,10,9,8| 9, 8, 7 win | 8 mac | 7 mac

Download and installation help for Adobe links

Download and installation help for Prodesigntools links are listed on most linked pages.  They are critical; especially steps 1, 2 and 3.  If you click a link that does not have those steps listed, open a second window using the Lightroom 3 link to see those 'Important Instructions'.

[muhaldim]

Thanks for your reply.  I can try that, but since I never used the cc desktop app to update acrobat pro, that can't be the issue...

[kglad]

you're welcome.

[muhaldim]

I tried uninstalling and reinstalling, as you suggested, but the same thing still happens.  Any suggestions as to what I should try next?

[kglad]

did you install acrobat using the cc desktop app?

do you still have the cc desktop app installed on your computer?

[muhaldim]

No, I installed it using the installer with the downloaded installer.  I uninstalled the cc desktop app and tried re-installing again after that--same problem.

[kglad]

if you have windows, uninstall your acrobat again.

clean per Download Adobe Reader and Acrobat Cleaner Tool - Adobe Labs

clean per http://www.adobe.com/support/contact/cscleanertool.html

restart your computer (don't skip this)

reinstall your acrobat

[muhaldim]

No, I have a mac.  I assume there's an equivalent cleaner tool for mac?

[kglad]

not for acrobat.

you can clean cc using the link in message 7.

[muhaldim]

I downloaded and opened the cc cleaner tool, but the cc desktop tool does not appear in the list, so cleaning it is not an option.

[kglad]

if you did not use the cc uninstaller, see if that finds anything - Uninstall the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop application

during acrobat xi installation did you enter your 24 digit serial number?

[muhaldim]

I did use the cc uninstaller to remove the cc desktop application, and yes, I entered my 24 digit serial number during acrobat xi installation.

[kglad]

rename your Adobe PCD folder and SLStore folders, https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/kb/configuration-error-cs5.html.

retry installing acrobat.

[muhaldim]

I don't have either an Adobe PCD or SLStore folder.

[kglad]

enable hidden files/folders and retry searching.

[muhaldim]

The folders are not there, even with hidden files/folders enabled.

[kglad]

you've never had a licensed adobe program on your computer?

[muhaldim]

I have acrobat xi and cs6

[kglad]

which cs6?  does it include acrobat xi?

[muhaldim]

I'm not sure which version, but it includes acrobat x, which is why I purchased acrobat xi separately.

[kglad]

is acrobat x installed?

is anything from cs6 installed?

[muhaldim]

yes, acrobat x is installed and works.

cs6 is installed, but other than acrobat x, for any of the cs6 software I get the same issue that happens when I try to open acrobat xi.  (I also checked my adobe account, and both acrobat xi and cs6 appear in my account as registered products.)

[kglad · Accepted solution]

secure your acrobat x/cs6 serial numbers.  if you don't have those recorded, stop.

uninstall acrobat x.

uninstall everything cs6

clean per Use the Creative Cloud Cleaner Tool to solve installation problems

recheck for Adobe PCD or SLStore folders and, if found, delete them

restart your computer.

reinstall your your cs6, but not acrobat x

reinstall acrobat xi.

[muhaldim]

That works as long as I don't allow Adobe Acrobat Updater to run.  If I do, it reverts back to the same issue.  It seems that using even the Acrobat Updater (not just CC Desktop) causes it to change everything from licensed software to a CC subscription.  (And yes, I found this out the hard way.)

Now all I have to do is see if there is a way to do this manually (I know that there used to be a way to download and install updates manually from the Adobe site, but I don't know if it is still a possibility).

Thank you for your incredible patience and helpfulness throughout this process!