Overview
Learn how to install and deploy Acrobat with the unified installer on Windows, a single package for Adobe Acrobat and Acrobat Reader.
The unified installer is a single package that combines Acrobat and Acrobat Reader into one executable file. It installs the appropriate product based on the user’s licensing and sign-in status.
- IT admins can use a single installer that adapts to each user's license.
- Individual users can install on personal devices. The installer checks the account to identify the appropriate product.
The unified installer is 64-bit and does not support serial number licensing. It uninstalls non-unified 32-bit or legacy packages in most cases. Learn more about the compatibility matrix.
Installation methods
The unified installer can be installed from five primary channels, each with its own user experience and behavior:
- Reader Download Center (RDC): Free Acrobat Reader for individual users. No sign-in required.
- Microsoft Windows Store: Similar to RDC, for individual users. No sign-in required.
- Creative Cloud Desktop Application (CCDA): Full Acrobat subscription for individuals and teams. Sign-in is required.
- Admin Console: Offers options to customize the installation.
- Download Acrobat from Helpx: For enterprise users facing issues with Creative Cloud installation. Allows custom setups.
Install Acrobat or Reader
Individual users can download and install the unified installer from the internet. Enterprise users require installation IDs with the appropriate access permissions.
Individual users
- Download the unified installer and install it on a new machine.
- Follow the installation instructions and complete the installation.
If your installation is stuck, learn more about resolving a progress bar stuck during Reader to Acrobat upgrade using the unified installer.
Upgrade from Reader to Acrobat
- Sign in to Acrobat after purchase. The application detects your subscription and automatically installs additional components.
- To resolve any issues, follow the installation instructions.
Enterprise and teams users
Before you begin
The unified installer supports mixed entitlements within the same organization, such as free, Standard, and Professional. As an administrator, you can install the unified installer for users in your organization based on their license.
Deploy Acrobat
- Create the Acrobat package in the Admin Console.
- Deploy the package using SCCM or any enterprise deployment tool.
- You can also deploy the Creative Cloud Desktop App (CCDA) for all users and let users install Acrobat using CCDA.
- You can turn off mandatory sign-in on your machine and use Reader or Adobe Acrobat, depending on your license. Turning off mandatory sign-in lets Acrobat function as:
· Acrobat for signed-in users with a subscription
· Reader for signed-out users
Learn more about how to install the unified installer on a clean machine.
You can install optional features like Preflight during deployment or post-deployment.
If users select any feature that needs optional components, Acrobat downloads the optional components automatically. Additionally, install Preflight or other optional features. Learn more about the optional components and customization options in the Acrobat Enterprise Toolkit (ETK).
