Adobe Reader will not start


Sigurd

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I have usually had no problems with PDF files - click on them and Adobe Reader opens up, Today clicking on a file locked up. Couldn't stop it trying to open.
Tried to open it via opening reader first and opening file from there - Reader wouldn't open so that appeared to be the problem.
Uninstall Reader, re-booted as recommended and re-downloaded Acrobat Reader and installed it.
Still won't open.
Otherwise my PC is working normally with the latest updated Windows version.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Updated Chillblast
    CPU
    Intel i7 12700K Twelve Core 3.6Ghz
    Motherboard
    MSI PRO Z690-A DDR4 Motherboard
    Memory
    Corsair 32Gb Vengeance RAM
I have usually had no problems with PDF files - click on them and Adobe Reader opens up, Today clicking on a file locked up. Couldn't stop it trying to open.
Tried to open it via opening reader first and opening file from there - Reader wouldn't open so that appeared to be the problem.
Uninstall Reader, re-booted as recommended and re-downloaded Acrobat Reader and installed it.
Still won't open.
Otherwise my PC is working normally with the latest updated Windows version.
Have you tried installing another PDF reader?
Dave
 

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    Windows 10
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    Windows 11 on VMware (Release, Beta and Dev)
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    PC/Desktop
From Adobe Support Community: (a common issue apparently)

1) Close down Acrobat.
2) Fire up regedit (follow the usually cautions for dealing with the Registry)
3) Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat\2015\FeatureLockDown
4) You should see Key folders with names like cDefaultExecMenuItems, cDefaultFindAttachmentPerms, DefaultLaunchAttachmentPerms, cDefaultLaunchURLPerms
5) If a key name named cServices does not yet exist, then create it (right click on FeatureLockDown and select New -> Key and name it cServices).
6) Left Click to Select the cServices Key you just created.
7) Right click in the white space in the right side pane and select New -> DWORD (32-bit) Value and name this new Value bToggleAdobeDocumentServices
8) Double Click on the newly created bToggleAdobeDocumentServices and enter 1 (Hexadecimal) for the Value data. Click OK.
9) Continue creating new Key names within the cServices Key folder until you have the following:

Name Type Data

bToggleAdobeDocumentServices REG_DWORD 0x00000001 (1)
bToggleAdobeSign REG_DWORD 0x00000001 (1)
bTogglePrefSync REG_DWORD 0x00000001 (1)
bUpdater REG_DWORD 0x00000000 (0)


Note: The value of bUpdater is 0 while the values of the first three are 1).

Note: When you create the cServices Key folder a Key named (Default) may be automatically create, this is OK. Just ignore it (don't try to delete it).
10. Close the regedit, and restart Acrobat. You may need to restart your PC.
 
Last edited:

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    ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. TUF Gaming FX705GM
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    AMD Dual Core A6-9220
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    17.3
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    1600X900 16:9
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    1TB 5400RPM
When's the last time the OP updated Reader?
 

My Computers

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  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 (Build 22631.3296)
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    PC/Desktop
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    Custom built
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    Intel i9-9900K
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    Gigabyte Aorus Z390 Xtreme
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    5 Samsung SSD drives: 2X 970 NVME (512 & 1TB), 3X EVO SATA (2X 2TB, 1X 1TB)
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    Win 10 Pro 22H2 (build 19045.2130)
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    Intel i7-7700K
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    Gigabyte GA-Z270X-GAMING 8
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    1920 x 1200
    Hard Drives
    3 Samsung SSD drives: 1x 512gig 950 NVMe drive (OS drive), 1 x 512gig 850 Pro, 1x 256gig 840 Pro.
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    EVGA Super Nova 1000 P2 (1000 watt)
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    Logitech MX Master
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    Logitech MK 710
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    This is my backup system.
Thanks OAT
The registry has 3 folders under Adobe Acrobat - 10.0, 11.0 and DC. Each has a FeatureLockDown sub folder. 10.0 and 11.0 has an entry bUsageMeasurement with REG_Word set to 0x000000 (0)

As this is not in keeping with your instructions I left it at that for now!

@Dru2 - It was updated yesterday as part of my attempts to solve problem.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Updated Chillblast
    CPU
    Intel i7 12700K Twelve Core 3.6Ghz
    Motherboard
    MSI PRO Z690-A DDR4 Motherboard
    Memory
    Corsair 32Gb Vengeance RAM
Hello Sigurd,
sorry about the fix that did not match, this came from an older installation
Because this was working fine not so long ago, I would suggest an uninstall.
Once the uninstall is done, delete in the registry the key Adobe Acrobat.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Adobe\THISONE
Because there might be file associations in HKR, I suggest restarting the sysyem.
Re-install the application and let's hope it works as intended.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11 All /Debian/Arch
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. TUF Gaming FX705GM
    CPU
    2.20 gigahertz Intel i7-8750H Hyper-threaded 12 cores
    Motherboard
    ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. FX705GM 1.0
    Memory
    24428 Megabytes
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel(R) UHD Graphics 630 / NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060
    Sound Card
    Intel(R) Display Audio / Realtek(R) Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Integrated Monitor (17.3"vis)
    Screen Resolution
    FHD 1920X1080 16:9
    Hard Drives
    2 SSD SATA/NVM Express 1.3
    WDS500G2B0A-00SM50 500.1 GB
    WDCSDAPNUW-1002 256 GB
    PSU
    19V DC 6.32 A 120 W
    Cooling
    Dual Fans
    Mouse
    MS Bluetooth
    Internet Speed
    Fiber 1GB Cox -us & ADSL Bouygues -fr
    Browser
    Edge Canary- Firefox Nightly
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    VMs of Windows 11 stable/Beta/Dev/Canary
    VM of XeroLinux- Arch based & Debian 12
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Insider Canary
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS X751BP
    CPU
    AMD Dual Core A6-9220
    Motherboard
    ASUS
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    AMD Radeon R5 M420
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3
    Screen Resolution
    1600X900 16:9
    Hard Drives
    1TB 5400RPM
I had actually tried an uninstall, re-download and reinstall. That included a re-boot but not a full power down. The full power down took place as usual overnight and guess what, it now works. Computers move in mysterious ways!
Thanks for the help.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Updated Chillblast
    CPU
    Intel i7 12700K Twelve Core 3.6Ghz
    Motherboard
    MSI PRO Z690-A DDR4 Motherboard
    Memory
    Corsair 32Gb Vengeance RAM
Hi folks
Why not simply use the built in facility in Firefox (or Edge I think now has pdf facility too).

Ms print to pdf can also create pdf files from various types of documents including web sites.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

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  • OS
    Windows XP,7,10,11 Linux Arch Linux
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    2 X Intel i7
No reason. Just been using Goggle as my browser and Adobe Reader for many years and not inclined to change.
It's known as inertia!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Updated Chillblast
    CPU
    Intel i7 12700K Twelve Core 3.6Ghz
    Motherboard
    MSI PRO Z690-A DDR4 Motherboard
    Memory
    Corsair 32Gb Vengeance RAM
@Sigurd
No reason. Just been using Goggle as my browser and Adobe Reader for many years and not inclined to change.
It's known as inertia!
Same here using Adobe Acrobat for years. Currently running Acrobat Pro 2020 (full version). No issues here.

Anyway, are you sure you're using Acrobat Reader DC, as "Acrobat Reader" has been discontinued for years. So much so that now Acrobat Reader DC, is now simply called "Acrobat Reader". Download from here - Adobe - Download Adobe Acrobat Reader DC. Before downloading make sure you un-tick the McAfee boxes unless you want McAfee installed...

Download Acrobat Reader.jpg

That said, if running the full version, which version is it? I ran Acrobat 2017 Pro for a while, but I think that's no longer supported.

BTW, I just installed the above on my backup system running Windows 11 Pro insiders, and the app opens as expected. Also checked a few PDF files and all opened without issue. Maybe something on your machine?
 
Last edited:

My Computers

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  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 (Build 22631.3296)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom built
    CPU
    Intel i9-9900K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Aorus Z390 Xtreme
    Memory
    32G (4x8) DDR4 Corsair RGB Dominator Platinum (3600Mhz)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon VII
    Sound Card
    Onboard (ESS Sabre HiFi using Realtek drivers)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    NEC PA242w (24 inch)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200
    Hard Drives
    5 Samsung SSD drives: 2X 970 NVME (512 & 1TB), 3X EVO SATA (2X 2TB, 1X 1TB)
    PSU
    EVGA Super Nova I000 G2 (1000 watt)
    Case
    Cooler Master H500M
    Cooling
    Corsair H115i RGB Platinum
    Keyboard
    Logitech Craft
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    500mb Download. 11mb Upload
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    Windows Security
    Other Info
    System used for gaming, photography, music, school.
  • Operating System
    Win 10 Pro 22H2 (build 19045.2130)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Intel i7-7700K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-Z270X-GAMING 8
    Memory
    32G (4x8) DDR4 Corsair Dominator Platinum (3333Mhz)
    Graphics card(s)
    AMD Radeon R9 Fury
    Sound Card
    Onboard (Creative Sound Blaster certified ZxRi)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U2415 (24 inch)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200
    Hard Drives
    3 Samsung SSD drives: 1x 512gig 950 NVMe drive (OS drive), 1 x 512gig 850 Pro, 1x 256gig 840 Pro.
    PSU
    EVGA Super Nova 1000 P2 (1000 watt)
    Case
    Phantek Enthoo Luxe
    Cooling
    Corsair H100i
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master
    Keyboard
    Logitech MK 710
    Internet Speed
    100MB
    Browser
    Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    Windows Security
    Other Info
    This is my backup system.
I was saving on ink which is why I omitted the DC. :giggle:
It is the latest version as I downloaded it pre-installation. As you will have seen above, a cold re-boot seems to have solved the issue, so probably clash with something on my PC..
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Updated Chillblast
    CPU
    Intel i7 12700K Twelve Core 3.6Ghz
    Motherboard
    MSI PRO Z690-A DDR4 Motherboard
    Memory
    Corsair 32Gb Vengeance RAM
I was saving on ink which is why I omitted the DC. :giggle:
It is the latest version as I downloaded it pre-installation. As you will have seen above, a cold re-boot seems to have solved the issue, so probably clash with something on my PC..

I'm a bit confused here, but you got it so movin on.
the app.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 (Build 22631.3296)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom built
    CPU
    Intel i9-9900K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Aorus Z390 Xtreme
    Memory
    32G (4x8) DDR4 Corsair RGB Dominator Platinum (3600Mhz)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon VII
    Sound Card
    Onboard (ESS Sabre HiFi using Realtek drivers)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    NEC PA242w (24 inch)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200
    Hard Drives
    5 Samsung SSD drives: 2X 970 NVME (512 & 1TB), 3X EVO SATA (2X 2TB, 1X 1TB)
    PSU
    EVGA Super Nova I000 G2 (1000 watt)
    Case
    Cooler Master H500M
    Cooling
    Corsair H115i RGB Platinum
    Keyboard
    Logitech Craft
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    500mb Download. 11mb Upload
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    Windows Security
    Other Info
    System used for gaming, photography, music, school.
  • Operating System
    Win 10 Pro 22H2 (build 19045.2130)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Intel i7-7700K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-Z270X-GAMING 8
    Memory
    32G (4x8) DDR4 Corsair Dominator Platinum (3333Mhz)
    Graphics card(s)
    AMD Radeon R9 Fury
    Sound Card
    Onboard (Creative Sound Blaster certified ZxRi)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U2415 (24 inch)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200
    Hard Drives
    3 Samsung SSD drives: 1x 512gig 950 NVMe drive (OS drive), 1 x 512gig 850 Pro, 1x 256gig 840 Pro.
    PSU
    EVGA Super Nova 1000 P2 (1000 watt)
    Case
    Phantek Enthoo Luxe
    Cooling
    Corsair H100i
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master
    Keyboard
    Logitech MK 710
    Internet Speed
    100MB
    Browser
    Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    Windows Security
    Other Info
    This is my backup system.
I very often had strange issues with Adobe Reader in the past,
switched to Sumatra PDF 2 or 3 years ago, never looked back! 🤷‍♂️
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Strix
  • Operating System
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
@Dru2
In case anyone else is a bit confused -
After removing the version I had installed (which was no longer working) I downloaded Adobe Acrobat Reader DC from the Adobe site and installed that.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Updated Chillblast
    CPU
    Intel i7 12700K Twelve Core 3.6Ghz
    Motherboard
    MSI PRO Z690-A DDR4 Motherboard
    Memory
    Corsair 32Gb Vengeance RAM
I very often had strange issues with Adobe Reader in the past,
switched to Sumatra PDF 2 or 3 years ago, never looked back! 🤷‍♂️
Adobe Acrobat has never had me look for anything else; and I've been using Acrobat, whether Reader or the full version, since the late 90's. Currently running Acrobat Pro 2020. It is also one of my must have apps ;-)
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 (Build 22631.3296)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom built
    CPU
    Intel i9-9900K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Aorus Z390 Xtreme
    Memory
    32G (4x8) DDR4 Corsair RGB Dominator Platinum (3600Mhz)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon VII
    Sound Card
    Onboard (ESS Sabre HiFi using Realtek drivers)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    NEC PA242w (24 inch)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200
    Hard Drives
    5 Samsung SSD drives: 2X 970 NVME (512 & 1TB), 3X EVO SATA (2X 2TB, 1X 1TB)
    PSU
    EVGA Super Nova I000 G2 (1000 watt)
    Case
    Cooler Master H500M
    Cooling
    Corsair H115i RGB Platinum
    Keyboard
    Logitech Craft
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    500mb Download. 11mb Upload
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    Windows Security
    Other Info
    System used for gaming, photography, music, school.
  • Operating System
    Win 10 Pro 22H2 (build 19045.2130)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Intel i7-7700K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-Z270X-GAMING 8
    Memory
    32G (4x8) DDR4 Corsair Dominator Platinum (3333Mhz)
    Graphics card(s)
    AMD Radeon R9 Fury
    Sound Card
    Onboard (Creative Sound Blaster certified ZxRi)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U2415 (24 inch)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200
    Hard Drives
    3 Samsung SSD drives: 1x 512gig 950 NVMe drive (OS drive), 1 x 512gig 850 Pro, 1x 256gig 840 Pro.
    PSU
    EVGA Super Nova 1000 P2 (1000 watt)
    Case
    Phantek Enthoo Luxe
    Cooling
    Corsair H100i
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master
    Keyboard
    Logitech MK 710
    Internet Speed
    100MB
    Browser
    Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    Windows Security
    Other Info
    This is my backup system.

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