How to Change the Installation Location for Adobe Acrobat DC
Question details
The user wants to download the Adobe Acrobat Pro DC installer and specify a custom installation directory, as previous attempts via Creative Cloud preferences failed and resulted in installing Adobe Reader instead.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Pro DC
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Installing Adobe Acrobat Pro DC on a custom drive or folder instead of the default system location.
- Observed behavior
- Changing preferences in the Creative Cloud desktop app did not alter the Acrobat DC installation path, and the user accidentally downloaded Adobe Reader during the process.
Ensure you have uninstalled Adobe Reader and any previous, incomplete installations of Acrobat to prevent version conflicts before running the new installer.
Use the Standalone Acrobat DC Installer
Bypassing the Creative Cloud application and using the direct standalone installer allows you to reliably choose a custom installation destination during the setup process.
Because Adobe Acrobat DC utilizes a different installer architecture compared to other Creative Cloud applications, it frequently ignores the global 'Install Location' preferences set in the Creative Cloud desktop app. Using the direct download link resolves this issue.
Open your system's control panel or settings and completely uninstall Adobe Reader, as Acrobat Pro DC already includes all Reader features.
Navigate to the official Adobe download page for Acrobat DC. Sign in with your Adobe ID and choose the appropriate direct download link for either the subscription or non-subscription version of Acrobat Pro DC.
Launch the downloaded installer file. When prompted during the setup wizard, select the 'Custom' installation option or click on the 'Destination Folder' button to manually browse and select your desired installation path.
Adjust Creative Cloud Desktop App Preferences
If you prefer managing your software through Adobe Creative Cloud, you can attempt to change the global installation path, though Acrobat's compatibility with this setting varies.
Try WPS Office for a Lightweight, Customizable PDF Experience
If heavy installers and restrictive path configurations in other software are causing frustration, WPS Office offers a seamless alternative. Its built-in PDF editor is incredibly lightweight, allows for easy custom installations on any drive, and provides all the essential tools you need for document management without bogging down your system.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Get the free, lightweight installer directly from the official WPS Office website.
- 2. Customize your installation: Run the setup file, click on the settings gear icon on the splash screen, and pick your preferred installation path before proceeding.
- 3. Manage PDFs instantly: Open the WPS PDF tool to read, edit, and annotate your documents smoothly with minimal system resource usage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it necessary to keep Adobe Reader if I install Acrobat Pro DC?
No, Adobe Acrobat Pro DC includes all the features and viewing capabilities of Adobe Reader. Unless you specifically need to test how documents appear for users who only have the free Reader, you can safely uninstall it.
Why did the Creative Cloud app ignore my custom installation path for Acrobat?
Acrobat DC uses a legacy installer architecture distinct from newer Creative Cloud apps. It often defaults to the primary system drive (typically C:) regardless of your Creative Cloud preferences. Using the direct standalone installer is the most reliable workaround.
Where can I find the direct download links for Acrobat Pro DC?
You can download the installers directly from the official Adobe Acrobat download page. Ensure you are downloading the correct version (subscription or non-subscription) and that you are signed in with your Adobe ID.
