How to Fix Adobe Acrobat DC Installation That Rolls Back
Question details
The user needs to resolve an issue where the Adobe Acrobat DC installation process fails and rolls back, preventing successful setup.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat DC
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Installing or updating Adobe Acrobat DC via the Creative Cloud desktop application.
- Observed behavior
- The installation process interrupts and automatically rolls back due to a damaged installation, existing perpetual license, or conflict with Creative Cloud components.
Ensure you have administrative privileges on your computer and temporarily close any background applications that might interfere with the installation process.
Perform a Clean Reinstallation of Acrobat DC
Resolve licensing conflicts and corrupted files by deactivating the current license, removing the software, and reinstalling it via the Creative Cloud app.
A rollback often occurs when an older, perpetual license of Acrobat conflicts with a new Creative Cloud subscription installation. Completely removing the old version ensures a clean path for the new setup.
Open your current version of Acrobat (if accessible) and deactivate the existing perpetual Acrobat license from the Help menu.
Open 'Programs and Features' in the Windows Control Panel, locate Adobe Acrobat, and select Uninstall to remove it from your system.
Restart Windows to clear any pending system processes or locked files that could block a new installation.
Sign in to the Adobe account associated with your active subscription and open the Creative Cloud desktop application.
Locate Acrobat Pro DC within the Creative Cloud app and click 'Install' to begin the setup process.
Use the Adobe Acrobat Cleaner Tool
If a standard uninstallation fails, use the official cleaner tool to force the removal of leftover registry keys and installation files.
Try WPS Office as a Lightweight PDF Alternative
Avoid heavy installation files and frustrating rollbacks. WPS Office includes a powerful, built-in PDF reader and editor that is lightweight, fast, and completely free to download.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Acrobat DC installation keep rolling back?
An installation typically rolls back due to a conflict with an existing perpetual license, leftover corrupted installation files, or interference from other Creative Cloud components.
Do I need to uninstall older versions of Acrobat before installing Acrobat DC?
Yes, having multiple versions or existing perpetual licenses of Acrobat on the same machine can cause conflicts, leading to installation failure. It is recommended to uninstall older versions first.
What should I do if the Creative Cloud desktop app is causing the rollback?
You can try updating or reinstalling the Creative Cloud desktop application itself before attempting to install Acrobat DC again, as outdated Creative Cloud components can block the installation.
