How to Upgrade from Acrobat X Pro to Acrobat 2017 Pro
Question details
The user needs to upgrade their Adobe Acrobat X Pro software to Acrobat 2017 Pro without disrupting their other Creative Suite applications.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Upgrading an older version of Acrobat to a newer standalone version while preserving other bundled software components.
- Observed behavior
- The user seeks the correct installation sequence and clarification on whether the older version must be removed and if the old serial number is required.
Ensure you have the serial numbers for both your current Acrobat X Pro and the new Acrobat 2017 Pro readily available before starting the installation process.
Perform a Clean Installation of Acrobat 2017 Pro
Uninstalling the older version first is the recommended method to prevent system conflicts while keeping other Creative Suite apps intact.
While it is technically possible for Acrobat 2017 to install over Acrobat X, remnants of older installations frequently interfere with the performance of newer versions. A clean installation minimizes these risks.
Locate and securely record your current Acrobat X serial number in case you need it for license verification or future reinstallation.
Open your computer's Control Panel or Settings app, navigate to 'Programs and Features' or 'Apps', select Adobe Acrobat X Pro, and click 'Uninstall'.
Launch the Acrobat 2017 Pro installation file and follow the on-screen setup wizard instructions.
When prompted by the installer, input your new Acrobat 2017 serial number to activate the product.

Direct In-Place Upgrade
Run the new installer directly if you prefer not to manually uninstall the older software first.
Looking for a Lightweight PDF Editor Alternative?
If you are dealing with complex software upgrades and expensive licenses, consider WPS Office. It includes a powerful built-in PDF editor alongside comprehensive Word, Excel, and PowerPoint alternatives, offering seamless compatibility at a fraction of the cost.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package.
- 2. Install the suite: Run the installer. The process is lightweight and automatically configures your workspace.
- 3. Open WPS PDF: Launch WPS Office and click on the 'PDF' tab to access all your document editing and conversion tools.

Frequently Asked Questions
Will uninstalling Acrobat X remove my other Adobe CS6 applications?
No, using the standalone Acrobat uninstaller from your system settings will only remove Acrobat X. It leaves your other Creative Suite 6 applications completely intact.
Do I need my old Acrobat X serial number to install Acrobat 2017?
If you purchased a full retail version of Acrobat 2017, you only need the new serial number. However, if you purchased a discounted upgrade license, the installer may ask for the serial numbers of both the new version and your qualifying previous version (Acrobat X).
Why is a clean installation recommended over an in-place upgrade?
While installing directly over the older version is sometimes possible, remnants of older software registries and files can interfere with the performance of the newer software, leading to crashes or missing features.
Can I keep both Acrobat X and Acrobat 2017 installed on the same computer?
It is strongly advised against having multiple versions of Acrobat installed simultaneously. This often causes severe conflicts with default PDF viewers, browser plugins, and system registry settings.




