How to Install Acrobat 8 Adobe PDF Printer on 64-Bit Windows
Question details
The user needs to successfully install the Adobe PDF virtual printer that fails during the Acrobat 8 setup process on a 64-bit Windows system.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat 8
- Device & OS
- 64-bit Windows
- Scenario
- Installing legacy Adobe Acrobat 8 software on a 64-bit Windows operating system to utilize the print-to-PDF functionality.
- Observed behavior
- The installation fails to supply the required 64-bit printer driver automatically, resulting in an error prompt and an absent Adobe PDF printer.
Ensure you have administrative privileges on your computer. Before attempting this workaround, completely uninstall any existing or partially failed Acrobat 8 installations to prevent driver conflicts.
Manually Extract and Provide the 64-Bit Printer Driver
Extract the missing 64-bit driver file from the installation cabinet file and manually provide it when prompted by the Windows installer.
Because Acrobat 8 was released prior to many modern 64-bit Windows operating systems, the installer does not automatically locate or install the proper 64-bit driver. This unsupported workaround requires you to manually pull the driver from the setup files when the installer prompts for it.
Begin the Acrobat 8 installation process normally until the progress pauses and prompts you to locate the missing Windows printer driver.
Leave the prompt open, navigate to your Acrobat 8 installation files folder, and open the archive named Data1.cab.
Inside the Data1.cab file, locate the file named AdobePDF.dll_64, extract it, and save it to your Windows Desktop.
Right-click the extracted file on your Desktop, select Rename, and change its name from AdobePDF.dll_64 to AdobePDF.dll.
Return to the installer prompt, click the Browse button, and navigate to your Desktop to select the newly renamed AdobePDF.dll file to complete the setup.
Create PDFs Natively with WPS Office (No Printer Driver Required)
Instead of struggling with legacy drivers and unsupported software on 64-bit Windows, you can use WPS Office to instantly convert, edit, and create PDFs directly from your documents. WPS Office has a built-in PDF engine, eliminating the need for complex standalone virtual PDF printers.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office on your 64-bit Windows PC.
- 2. Open your document: Launch WPS Office and open the document, spreadsheet, or presentation you want to save as a PDF.
- 3. Export to PDF: Click on the Menu button in the top-left corner and select Export to PDF from the dropdown options.
- 4. Save the file: Choose your desired export settings and click the Export button to instantly generate a high-quality PDF.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Acrobat 8 fail to install the PDF printer on 64-bit Windows?
Acrobat 8 was released before the widespread adoption of 64-bit Windows operating systems. The installer is hardcoded to look for a 32-bit driver path and fails to automatically extract and install the required 64-bit driver (AdobePDF.dll_64).
Can I use this workaround on Windows 10 or Windows 11?
While the manual extraction of the AdobePDF.dll file can sometimes bypass the installer prompt on older 64-bit systems like Vista or Windows 7, Acrobat 8 is entirely unsupported on Windows 10 and 11. Core functions will likely fail even if the printer installs successfully.
Do I need a virtual PDF printer to create PDFs today?
No. Most modern software, including WPS Office, features built-in 'Export to PDF' capabilities that do not rely on a virtual printer driver like the Adobe PDF printer. You can directly save documents as PDFs without configuring additional system printers.
