cannot open pdf files

[jimmyjack50]

sudddenly cannot open pdf files.  I repair and or reinstall reader and only get a temporary fix.  I get the fatal error message "Acrobat failed to connect to DDE server. using reader XI and windows 8.1

[Anubha Goel]

Hi jimmyjack50,

You might try this out:

• Go to Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Del
• Click on Processes tab and end all the processes associated with Acrobat

Now, launch Reader again and let me know.

Regards,

Anubha

[pwillener]

You may need to make a little change to the Windows registry: download, unzip, then run the registry script from https://files.acrobat.com/a/preview/07f2ebef-e13c-4a0b-9e69-e79debcf9642

[howardb71229188]

Good day,

I had this problem two weeks ago, and you helped me run an executable script file that solved the probem.  But it has now recurred.  I again downloaded the file, extracted it, and ran it.  I got a message that the registry change is already installed and it would not process.  I cannot open pdf files, and I still get the DDE message

[pwillener]

The only other thing I can imagine is to disable Protected Mode [Edit | Preferences | Security (Enhanced)].

[howardb71229188]

A previous note in this discussion suggested stopping all active ADOBE processes.  I found a bunch of them, stopped them, and cured the problem.