How to Stop Acrobat DC from Replacing Acrobat Pro CS6
Question details
The user needs to prevent Adobe Acrobat DC from automatically overwriting or replacing their existing, older Adobe Acrobat Pro CS6 installation.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Installing or updating Adobe Creative Cloud applications triggers an unwanted installation of Acrobat DC.
- Observed behavior
- Acrobat DC automatically installs through Creative Cloud updates and completely replaces the standalone Acrobat Pro CS6 component.
Ensure you have your original Adobe Acrobat Pro CS6 serial number or installation media readily available, as you will need to reinstall the software if Acrobat DC has already overwritten your files.
Uninstall Acrobat DC and Restore Acrobat Pro CS6
Use the Creative Cloud desktop application to remove the unwanted Acrobat DC update, then reinstall your CS6 version and adjust update settings.
Creative Cloud applications often default to keeping all software up to date, which can cause the newer subscription-based Acrobat DC to override standalone CS6 installations. Removing the new version and reinstalling your old one is the cleanest fix.
Launch the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop application on your computer.
Navigate to the 'Apps' tab and scroll down until you find Adobe Acrobat DC in the list of installed applications.
Click the 'More actions' (three dots) icon next to Acrobat DC, select 'Uninstall', and follow the prompts to remove it completely.
Insert your original CS6 installation media or run your CS6 installer to reinstall the software. Enter your valid license key when prompted.
Use WPS PDF for a Stable, Independent Editing Experience
If you are tired of forced software updates replacing your preferred tools, consider switching to WPS Office. It includes a powerful, standalone PDF editor that provides robust editing and conversion tools without unexpectedly overriding your setup.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website to download the free installation package.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the installer and follow the straightforward on-screen instructions to complete the setup.
- 3. Open the PDF Tool: Launch WPS Office and click on the 'PDF' tab from the main workspace to access the dedicated PDF editor.
- 4. Edit and Manage PDFs: Click 'Open' to browse your existing PDF documents. You can easily add text, highlight, leave comments, or convert your files into Word or Excel formats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Creative Cloud keep installing Acrobat DC?
Creative Cloud has an auto-update functionality that checks for the latest software versions. If it detects an older PDF application like CS6, it often defaults to upgrading it to the current subscription-based Acrobat DC.
Can I run Acrobat Pro CS6 and Acrobat DC on the same computer?
It is generally not recommended to run multiple versions of Acrobat on the same machine. Doing so typically causes conflicts with PDF file associations, default programs, and virtual printer drivers. Creative Cloud is designed to remove older versions during a new installation to prevent these conflicts.
How do I disable auto-updates in Creative Cloud?
Open the Creative Cloud Desktop app and click the Preferences (gear) icon. Navigate to the 'Apps' tab and toggle off the 'Auto-update' switch for all apps, or specifically for Acrobat, to prevent the system from automatically updating to newer versions.
