How to Use Acrobat DC in a Remote Desktop Services Environment
Question details
The user wants to understand how to correctly deploy and license Adobe Acrobat DC when a small subset of users accesses multiple Remote Desktop Services (RDS) servers.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat DC
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Setting up PDF editing tools on an RDS server for a specific group of users while adhering to software licensing rules.
- Observed behavior
- The user needs to establish a valid setup to allow Acrobat DC access for licensed users while directing non-licensed users to a free PDF viewer like Acrobat Reader.
Confirm that your current licensing agreement supports shared or remote deployments, as standard individual licenses may fail to activate or remain activated in an RDS setup.
Deploying and Configuring Acrobat DC on RDS
Install Acrobat securely on the remote server and segregate access between Acrobat DC and Reader based on user licenses.
When dealing with Remote Desktop Services (RDS), licensing validation works differently than on a single physical desktop. You must use named-user licensing configured specifically for shared environments to prevent continuous activation prompts or errors.
Download and install the enterprise version of Acrobat DC directly onto your supported Remote Desktop Services server.
Set up shared device or named-user licensing in the admin console for the specific users who require premium Acrobat DC features.
Use Windows Server policies, AppLocker, or Active Directory groups to restrict access to the Acrobat DC executable, ensuring only authorized users can launch it.
For all other users on the RDS server, install Adobe Acrobat Reader and set it as the default application for viewing PDF documents.
Edit PDFs Easily with WPS Office
Avoid complex shared licensing setups on virtualized servers. WPS Office offers a comprehensive, easy-to-deploy PDF editor along with word processing and spreadsheet tools, perfect for enterprise and remote setups.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Get the latest WPS Office installation package appropriate for your operating environment.
- 2. Install the Suite: Run the installer on your server or local machine. The lightweight installer completes quickly and is easy to deploy.
- 3. Open WPS PDF: Launch the WPS PDF application from the main workspace to open any existing PDF document.
- 4. Edit and Manage: Use the straightforward toolbar to edit text, manage pages, or add secure passwords to your PDFs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a standard PDF subscription on an RDS server?
Standard individual subscriptions may face activation limits or errors on an RDS server. You generally need a specific enterprise agreement configured for shared device licensing to operate seamlessly in virtual environments.
How do I separate premium PDF editor and free reader users on the same server?
You can deploy both applications on the RDS server and use Windows tools like AppLocker or Group Policy Objects (GPO) to restrict the premium software's launch permissions to the licensed user group only.
Is it free to deploy PDF readers for Remote Desktop Services?
While basic PDF readers are typically free to use, deploying them in enterprise or RDS environments often requires you to apply for and accept a free volume distribution license from the software vendor.
