Problems uninstalling Adobe Reader 8.0

 Note: Visit the Adobe Reader Help and Support page for information about top issues.

Adobe recommends that you use the Adobe Reader 8.0 uninstaller in the Add/Remove Programs utility in Windows to remove Adobe Reader 8.0. Occasionally, however, damaged files or a partial installation prevents the Adobe Reader 8.0 uninstaller from working correctly. Or, they could cause the uninstaller to leave files or empty application folders on the system after the removal is performed. You could also notice Adobe Reader 8.0 missing from the Add/Remove Programs list. Or, you could find that the installer only displays the Repair and Remove options when you try to install Adobe Reader 8.0.

Manually removing Adobe Reader 8.0 ensures that all files and folders are removed. These instructions are for removing Adobe Reader 8.0. If you have other/previous versions of Adobe applications installed, then be sure to remove only the files below that relate to Adobe Reader 8.0. These steps also remove any extra content (for example, Goodies or Functional Content) that installed with Adobe Reader 8.0. If you reinstall Adobe Reader 8.0, reinstall its extra content as well.

Note: It's possible that your system doesn't contain all of the files and folders listed in this document. If you do not find a listed file or folder on your system, proceed to the next file or folder on the list.

Some of these procedures require you to locate hidden files and hidden folders. Some procedures require you to locate files by their full filenames, which include extensions (for example, example_filename.ini). By default, Windows Explorer doesn't show hidden files, hidden folders, or filename extensions that it recognizes.

To show hidden files, hidden folders, and all filename extensions in Windows Explorer:

View an Adobe Captivate demo of this procedure.

The uninstaller is designed to remove everything installed that Adobe Reader 8.0 installs. When you start Adobe Reader 8.0 for the first time, or when you modify the preferences, new folders and files can be created. After you use the uninstaller, proceed to "Remove remaining folders and files for Adobe Reader 8.0." These instructions ensure the complete removal of all additional folders and files.

To use the uninstaller, do the following:

Note: When you run the uninstaller, you are prompted to remove, keep, or transfer activation. If you plan to reinstall Adobe Reader 8.0 on the same machine, consider keeping your activation. However, after you complete the manual removal, it could be necessary to reactivate Adobe Reader 8.0. If you plan to install Adobe Reader 8.0 on a different machine, transfer your activation.

View an Adobe Captivate demo of this procedure.

Before proceeding with the following steps, Adobe recommends printing the directions. Restarting in Diagnostic or Safe mode typically disables Internet access.

View an Adobe Captivate demo of this procedure.

After completing all of the steps in this document, re-enable startup items for Windows XP.

Note: Windows 2000 does not have the MSConfig utility for disabling start items. You can manually disable the items or obtain the MSConfig utility for Windows XP.

After completing all of the steps in this document, re-enable startup items for Windows 2000.

View an Adobe Captivate demo of this procedure.

Back up any personal files you want to save from the following directories, and then remove the listed folders and files:

Program Files\Adobe\

• Acrobat 8.0

Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\

• Acrobat

Documents and Settings\[User Name]\Application Data\Adobe\

• Acrobat

Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Adobe\

• Acrobat

Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop\

• Adobe Reader 8.lnk

Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\

• Adobe Reader 8.lnk

Program Files\Internet Explorer\PLUGINS\

• nppdf32.dll

Program Files\Netscape\Netscape Browser\plugins\

• nppdf32.dll

Remove the application registry keys from the registry, if they are available.

Note: It's necessary to log in to the computer as an Administrator to modify your registry.

Disclaimer: This procedure involves editing the Windows registry. Adobe doesn't support editing the registry, which contains critical system and application information. For information on the Windows Registry Editor, see the documentation for Windows or contact Microsoft Technical Support. It's possible, that you don't have all of these files.

Important: Make a backup copy of the registry before you edit it.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Adobe\Adobe Reader

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Adobe\Adobe Reader

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Adobe\Repair\Adobe Reader

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\

S-1-5-18\Products\68AB67CA7DA73301B7448A0000000020

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\

{AC76BA86-7AD7-1033-7B44-A80000000002}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Adobe\Acrobat Reader

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Installer\Products\

68AB67CA7DA73301B7448A0000000020

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Installer\Features\

68AB67CA7DA73301B7448A0000000020

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\

{358E6F10-DE8A-4602-8424-179CA217F8EE}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\

{9C6A861C-B233-4994-AFB1-C158EE4FC578}

Empty your Recycle Bin and restart your computer.

The Adobe Captivate demonstrations below illustrate selected procedures described in this document. For more information about viewing this demo, see Viewing Adobe Captivate Demos in Knowledgebase Documents.

Return to Instructions

Return to Instructions

Return to Instructions

Return to Instructions