Is there a way to disable creating P12 file when installing Adobe Acrobat Reader or Pro?

[km20926000]

There is a password protected file in the Preflight folder created when installing Acrobat Reader. Is there a way to prevent this file from being generated? What is the .pfx file used for?

[Steve Cordero]

No, that P12 file is used in several Action workflows.

[km20926000]

I would like to understand the use of the .p12 in the preflight folder.  A folder and a password protected certificate is generated each time Adobe is updated.  Screnshot attached.

[km20926000]

Thank you. Is there any documentation available to confirm that the .p12 file is NOT a certificate installation file?

[Steve Cordero]

The Preflight.p12 is used for embedding audit trails and it is a valid certificate file.

[oldmanpunk]

I realize this maybe valid but to justify a DOD STIG setting all pfx and p12 certs must be deleted or have vendor documentation that this is required.

I am going to ask the same question that was asked above in a different way. Is the P12 certificate required?

[Steve Cordero]

Answer: Yes, it is required for audit workflows in Preflight.

[oldmanpunk]

Ok is that stated in any installation guide or any other documentation.

[Steve Cordero]

No, not the I am aware, but it's part of the Preflight plug-in functionality.  Not all of the innards of the plug-ins are discussed in the Help documentation.

[km20926000]

Is there a way to disable the plugin from being installed? or is there any documentation indicating that it is a not a certificate installation file?

[Steve Cordero]

In Q & A order:

Q1:  Is there a way to disable the plugin from being installed?

Response:  No, there isn't a way to prevent/disable the plug-in from being installed that I am aware.

Q2: is there any documentation indicating that it is a not a certificate installation file?

Response:  It IS a certificate file.  The certificate is used to sign the PDF file in the Preflight feature for embedding the audit trail.

[mrunplugged]

Steven,

Thank you for the information. I wanted to gain to clarification regarding your responses so far.

Does removing the pre-flight p12 file completely break adobe? I understand the file is necessary for auditing, but will adobe function without the file? If not, than why?

[Steve Cordero]

Again, in Q & A order:

Q1:  Does removing the pre-flight p12 file completely break adobe?

Response:  No,  it will not completely break Acrobat DC Pro, however removing the P12 certificate will violate the EULA (End User License Agreement).

Q2:  I understand the file is necessary for auditing, but will adobe function without the file?

Response:  Yes, it will work but the Preflight plug-in may error in some functions.

Q2.a: If not, than why? See response above.

[jimk44243455]

Steve,

How are you?  I was wondering where it is documented that removing the pre-flight p12 file violates the EULA.    As far as I can tell, our organization does not have the plug-in installed and the file is only present in the windows installation folder.

Thanks,

Jeff 

[Test Screen Name]

How would your organization have Acrobat Pro installed without the preflight plug-in? How are you telling that you don't have it installed?