Fix Acrobat Standard 2017 Opening and Closing on Windows Server 2016 RDS
Question details
The user needs to resolve an issue where Adobe Acrobat Standard 2017 closes immediately after being opened in a Windows Server 2016 RDS environment.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Standard 2017
- Device & OS
- Windows Server 2016
- Scenario
- Running a PDF application within a Remote Desktop Services (RDS) multi-session server environment.
- Observed behavior
- Acrobat Standard 2017 launches briefly but then closes immediately, typically without displaying a specific error message.
Ensure you have administrative access to the Windows Server 2016 RDS environment and have your Adobe licensing type and credentials readily available before troubleshooting.
Verify Enterprise Licensing and Deployment Configuration
Confirm that you are using an enterprise volume license, as retail versions of Acrobat are not supported on RDS and will close automatically upon detecting a terminal server.
Remote Desktop Services (RDS) requires specific volume licensing for Adobe products. If a retail version of Acrobat is installed, its background activation process detects the multi-session terminal server environment and automatically shuts down the application to enforce compliance.
Log into your Adobe Admin Console to check your current Acrobat Standard 2017 license type and ensure it is designated for enterprise or volume use.
If you are currently running a retail installation, open the Windows Server Control Panel, navigate to Programs and Features, and uninstall Adobe Acrobat Standard 2017.
Download the Adobe Customization Wizard for Acrobat 2017 to configure your enterprise installer package, ensuring you disable activation prompts that conflict with RDS.
Reinstall the customized Acrobat enterprise package on your RDS server using the command prompt with elevated administrative privileges.
Inspect Windows Event Viewer for Application Faults
Check system logs to verify if the immediate closure is solely due to a licensing enforcement block or if another software conflict is causing a crash.
Open and Manage PDFs Seamlessly with WPS Office
Bypass complicated enterprise licensing restrictions and server crashes. WPS Office offers a built-in PDF reader and editor that is lightweight, highly compatible, and easy to deploy in diverse Windows environments.
- 1. Download the installer: Download the WPS Office executable file directly onto your Windows machine or server environment from the official website.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the installation wizard and follow the on-screen prompts, ensuring that the WPS PDF component is checked.
- 3. Launch the PDF tool: Open WPS Office and click on the 'PDF' tab located on the application's home screen.
- 4. Open your document: Click 'Open', select your target PDF file from your server directory, and enjoy stable, continuous viewing and editing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Acrobat close immediately after opening on a Windows server?
This usually happens because background licensing checks fail. Retail and standard subscription licenses of Acrobat are not authorized for multi-session Remote Desktop Services (RDS) environments, causing the app to intentionally terminate to prevent unauthorized usage.
Can I use a standard retail license for Acrobat on Remote Desktop Services?
No. Adobe requires a specialized volume or enterprise license to legally and technically run Acrobat on an RDS or terminal server environment.
How do I deploy Acrobat correctly on Windows Server 2016?
You must use the Adobe Customization Wizard to properly configure an enterprise deployment package. This tool allows you to pre-serialize the software, disable End User License Agreement (EULA) pop-ups, and optimize settings for a multi-user server environment before installation.
