Adobe Reader will not start

Sigurd · Dec 16, 2022

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.

davewin11 · Dec 16, 2022

Sigurd said:
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

OAT · Dec 16, 2022

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.

Dru2 · Dec 16, 2022

When's the last time the OP updated Reader?

Sigurd · Dec 17, 2022

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.

OAT · Dec 17, 2022

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.

Sigurd · Dec 17, 2022

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.

jimbo45 · Dec 17, 2022

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

Sigurd · Dec 17, 2022

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!

Dru2 · Dec 17, 2022

@Sigurd

Sigurd said:
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...

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?

Sigurd · Dec 17, 2022

I was saving on ink which is why I omitted the DC.

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..

Dru2 · Dec 17, 2022

Sigurd said:
I was saving on ink which is why I omitted the DC.
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.

Edwin · Dec 17, 2022

I very often had strange issues with Adobe Reader in the past,
switched to Sumatra PDF 2 or 3 years ago, never looked back!

Sigurd · Dec 18, 2022

@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.

Dru2 · Dec 18, 2022

Edwin said:
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

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