How to Fix Adobe Acrobat DC Will Not Open or Uninstall
Question details
The user is unable to launch Adobe Acrobat DC, and attempts to uninstall the software are blocked by a Windows authorization error.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat DC
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Trying to open, repair, or uninstall the Adobe Acrobat DC application.
- Observed behavior
- The application fails to launch entirely, and Windows displays a 'not authorized' error message when the user attempts to uninstall it.
Ensure you are logged into your Windows computer with an Administrator account, as standard user accounts do not have the required permissions to modify or uninstall system-level applications.
Repair Adobe Acrobat DC via Windows Control Panel
Use the built-in Windows Programs and Features tool to repair the corrupted Adobe Acrobat installation.
Often, registry errors or missing core files will prevent Adobe Acrobat from opening or uninstalling normally. Running a repair through the Windows Control Panel can restore these missing components.
Click the Start menu, type 'Control Panel' in the search bar, and press Enter to open the application.
Click on 'Programs', then select 'Programs and Features' to view the list of installed software on your computer.
Locate 'Adobe Acrobat DC' in the list, right-click it, and select 'Change'. Follow the on-screen prompts to repair the installation.
Once the repair is complete, restart your PC and try launching or uninstalling the software again.
Launch Adobe Acrobat as Administrator
Bypassing standard user permissions by running the application as an administrator can sometimes resolve launch failures.
Edit PDFs Seamlessly with WPS Office
If your current PDF software continues to fail, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, comprehensive PDF reader and editor alongside robust Word, Excel, and PowerPoint alternatives, saving you from constant troubleshooting.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installer package for Windows.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded executable file and follow the lightweight installation wizard.
- 3. Set as Default PDF Viewer: Right-click any PDF file, select 'Open with', choose WPS Office, and check the box to always use this app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Windows say I am not authorized to uninstall Adobe Acrobat?
This usually happens if you are logged into a standard user account instead of an administrator account, or if your IT department has restricted software modifications via Group Policy on a work computer.
What should I do if the Control Panel repair method doesn't work?
If the standard Windows repair fails, you can download and use the official Adobe Acrobat Cleaner Tool to forcefully remove corrupted installation files and registry entries before attempting a fresh reinstallation.
Can I repair Adobe Acrobat directly from the application?
Yes, if you are able to successfully launch the program using the 'Run as administrator' method, you can navigate to the 'Help' tab in the top menu and click on 'Repair Installation' to automatically fix missing or corrupted files.
