Error - Windows can't find Adobe Installer.exe

[harryl66]

I am trying to do updates on Creative Cloud. I get a message:

Please help - very frustrating

Thanks

Harry

[kglad · Accepted solution]

uninstall everything cc including preferences, https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/help/uninstall-remove-app.html

then uninstall the cc desktop app, https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/help/uninstall-creative-cloud-desktop-app.html

clean your computer of cc files per http://www.adobe.com/support/contact/cscleanertool.html

restart your computer (don't skip this)

reinstall the cc desktop app, https://creative.adobe.com/products/creative-cloud.

if you're unable to install the cc desktop app at this stage, use an administrator account (solution 4 here, https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/kb/creative-cloud-missing-damaged.html)

use the desktop app to install your cc programs/trials

[사쿠라]

we don't want uninstall everything. It's waste a lot of time. just download the installer.exe file. where find it ?

[kglad]

you can skip to the last step, if you had/have no problems:

uninstall every cc app including preferences per https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/help/uninstall-remove-app.html

then uninstall the cc desktop app, again using the correct uninstaller per https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/help/uninstall-creative-cloud-desktop-app.html#sa_src=web-mes...

clean your computer of cc files per http://www.adobe.com/support/contact/cscleanertool.html

check for, and if available, update your os

if windows is your os, repair all ms visual c++ versions that can be repaired (use google if you don't know how to do this)

if windows is your os update your ms visual c++, if it can be updated (use google if you don't know how to do this)

restart your computer (don't skip this)

reinstall the cc desktop app using the "alternative download links" at the bottom of the page at https://helpx.adobe.com/download-install/kb/creative-cloud-desktop-app-download.html

use the desktop app to install your cc programs/trials

NOTE: win 11 users that have trouble with the latest win 10 installer often have success with the older win 10 installer.

[C0FF33_ZA]

I encountered this same issue and resolved it by reinstalling the CC app over itself, which restored the missing EXE.

[kglad]

nice to hear, but that won't solve many others problems because new installs won't overwrite previous options/settings.

[C0FF33_ZA]

My resolution was purely for this issue.
It solved the problem and I didn't have to reinstall any apps.

[GiorgioRX]

where i can download it?

[Lanxalot]

If anyone else has this issue, you can run the uninstaller and choose repair. Easy fix and no settings will be changed/ removed.  https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/help/uninstall-creative-cloud-desktop-app.html

[kglad]

this is more general.

reset the cc desktop app by making sure it's in the foreground, then press:

Win: Ctrl + Alt + R
Mac: Cmd + Opt + R


if that fails, repair per https://helpx.adobe.com/download-install/kb/creative-cloud-install-stuck.html


if that fails, uninstall using the correct uninstaller from https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/help/uninstall-creative-cloud-desktop-app.html#sa_src=web-mes... and then reinstall using*


if that fails, do a clean cc install carefully following each applicable step:

uninstall every cc app including preferences per https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/help/uninstall-remove-app.html

then uninstall the cc desktop app, again using the correct uninstaller per https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/help/uninstall-creative-cloud-desktop-app.html#sa_src=web-mes...

clean your computer of cc files per http://www.adobe.com/support/contact/cscleanertool.html

check for, and if available, update your os

if windows is your os, repair all ms visual c++ versions that can be repaired (use google if you don't know how to do this)

if windows is your os update your ms visual c++, if it can be updated (use google if you don't know how to do this)

restart your computer (don't skip this)

reinstall the cc desktop app using the "alternative download links" at the bottom of the page at https://helpx.adobe.com/download-install/kb/creative-cloud-desktop-app-download.html

use the desktop app to install your cc programs/trials

NOTE: win 11 users that have trouble with the latest win 10 installer often have success with the older win 10 installer.

[Lanxalot]

As per previous reply, there's no need for restting the CC app for this specific problem. My fix is faster, safer and won't lose any settings. 

[kglad]

reset is less aggressive than a repair.

[Lanxalot]

But it won't repklace the missing file, so no fix?

[kglad]

my response encompasses solutions for many different installation problems.

[Lanxalot]

To replace the missing file in this specific issue, my fix works the best. I wasn't trying to post about general issues. My fix is quick, and won't lose any settings/ preferences. It works perfectly. I would recommend you delete the file in question and try both methods to fix it.

[bojanb84020589]

Works like a charm

[mhadick1975]

worked like a charm

[kglad]

you're welcome (i think).

[bjoertli]

I ran into this issue ans uninstalled the Creative Cloud app, reinstalled and now is working fine!  Thank you for the update!! ☺

[Nigey_Boy]

Just go to Control Panel and choose Repair on Creative Cloud...Simple

[Lanxalot]

I had to download the installer to get mine to work. Repair is definitely the easiest/ best option though. The 'correct' answer on here (above) is more general and wll take longer.

[DanGent]

Simpler solution that works for Windows at least.

• From Start menu go to Settings.
• Go to "Apps".
• Find Adobe Creative Cloud from the list.
• Select Uninstall.
• It will ask if you want to "Uninstall" or "Repair".
• Click on "Repair".

It will reinstall Creative cloud and updates should install correctly again.