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How to Switch from Acrobat Pro DC to Free Adobe Reader DC
Question details
The user is attempting to change or switch their Adobe Acrobat Pro DC installation into the free Adobe Acrobat Reader DC application but is unable to do so through a direct upgrade path.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Switching from a paid PDF editor to a free PDF viewer.
- Observed behavior
- The system does not allow a direct upgrade, downgrade, or in-place change from Acrobat Pro DC to the free Acrobat Reader DC.
Ensure you have your Adobe account credentials handy and have saved all open PDF documents before beginning the uninstallation process.
Download and Install Adobe Acrobat Reader as a Separate Application
Because Acrobat Pro and Acrobat Reader are two distinct applications, you must download Reader separately rather than trying to upgrade or convert the Pro version.
Adobe Acrobat Pro DC and Adobe Acrobat Reader DC function as entirely different software packages. The Pro version cannot be downgraded or 'upgraded' into the Reader version.
Go to the official Adobe Reader download page at get.adobe.com/reader/enterprise/.
Choose your operating system, preferred language, and the version of Reader you wish to install.
Click the 'Download Acrobat Reader' button and run the downloaded installer file to complete the setup.
Uninstall Acrobat Pro Using the Adobe Cleaner Tool
If installing Adobe Reader fails due to conflicts with existing Acrobat Pro files on Windows, perform a clean uninstall first.
Read and Annotate PDFs for Free with WPS Office
Instead of managing multiple Adobe installations and clean-up tools, you can use WPS Office. It includes a built-in, lightweight PDF reader and editor that is completely free to use and highly compatible with standard PDF formats.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office for free from the official website.
- 2. Open the PDF tool: Launch WPS Office and click on the 'PDF' tab from the main dashboard.
- 3. View your documents: Drag and drop your PDF file into the workspace to start reading or annotating immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just downgrade my Acrobat Pro subscription to Reader?
No, Adobe Acrobat Pro and Adobe Acrobat Reader are distinct software applications. You must cancel your Pro subscription if you no longer wish to pay for it, and then download and install Reader separately.
Will uninstalling Acrobat Pro delete my PDF files?
No, your PDF documents are saved locally on your device's hard drive or in your cloud storage. Uninstalling or switching the PDF software will not affect your personal files.
Why does my computer keep opening PDFs in Acrobat Pro instead of Reader?
You need to change the default program for PDF files in your system settings. Right-click any PDF file, select 'Open with' > 'Choose another app', select Adobe Acrobat Reader, and check the box to always use this app to open .pdf files.
