Can You Install Acrobat Reader and Acrobat DC on the Same RDS Computer?
Question details
IT administrators need to know if they can simultaneously install Adobe Acrobat Reader for viewing and Acrobat DC for editing on the same Remote Desktop Services (RDS) server.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- Windows (RDS)
- Scenario
- Deploying PDF reading and editing software in a shared remote desktop environment to cater to varying user permission levels.
- Observed behavior
- Acrobat Reader and Acrobat DC conflict with each other and cannot be installed together reliably on the same operating system environment.
Audit your RDS user base to clearly identify which users strictly need viewing capabilities and which users require full PDF editing functionality.
Separate Reader and DC Deployments in Your RDS Environment
Because Acrobat Reader and Acrobat DC share underlying components and registry keys, they do not work well side-by-side. The best approach is to consolidate your deployment or separate the user environments.
Acrobat DC already includes all the features found in Acrobat Reader, plus advanced editing, shared reviews, and signature capabilities. Having both on the same machine creates default application conflicts and performance instability.
Open the Control Panel on your RDS server, navigate to 'Programs and Features', and uninstall Acrobat Reader if you plan to host Acrobat DC on this server.
Run the Acrobat DC installer for users who require editing tools. Users with a DC license will not need a separate Reader installation to view documents.
If you have a large pool of users who only need to read PDFs and you want to save on licensing, provision a separate RDS host or application group specifically for the free Acrobat Reader.
Log into your Adobe Enterprise or Team Admin Console to assign or revoke Acrobat DC licenses based on actual user needs, ensuring you are not paying for unnecessary editing licenses.
Simplify RDS Deployment with WPS Office's All-in-One PDF Tool
Instead of managing multiple server environments for PDF readers and editors, you can deploy WPS Office. It acts as a lightweight, unified application where free users can comfortably read PDFs, and licensed users can unlock advanced editing features simply by logging into their account.
- 1. Download the unified installer: Download the single WPS Office installation package to your RDS server.
- 2. Deploy to all users globally: Install WPS Office. It automatically handles PDF, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files natively without conflicting background services.
- 3. Sign in for premium features: Allow standard users to read PDFs for free. Users who need to edit PDFs, merge documents, or add signatures simply click 'Sign In' at the top right to activate their premium tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Acrobat Reader and Acrobat DC conflict on the same computer?
Both programs share the same background services, update mechanisms, and registry paths. Installing both typically overwrites file association keys, leading to default application loop errors and software instability.
Do users with Acrobat DC also need Acrobat Reader installed?
No. Acrobat DC encompasses every feature available in Acrobat Reader. Any user assigned an Acrobat DC license can view, print, and annotate PDFs natively within DC.
Can application virtualization (like App-V) solve this issue?
While application virtualization can isolate the software environments technically, Adobe does not officially support running both versions side-by-side on the same host OS, which often leads to complex default handler and licensing issues.
What happens if a user without a license opens Acrobat DC on the RDS server?
If an unlicensed user attempts to open Acrobat DC in a managed environment, they will be prompted to sign in with an Adobe ID. Depending on the server configuration, the application may operate in a restricted viewer mode or refuse to open until authenticated.
