Adobe Acrobat Pro Loading as Acrobat Free When End User is Logged into Creative Cloud and Shows Full Adobe Subscription (Windows 10/11)
SCENARIO:
End user is licensed for Adobe Acrobat DC and it shows correctly in Creative Cloud, but has previously logged in as an Acrobat Free user and the system in use previously had Acrobat Reader Free installed. Current version will not associate as full version and keeps reverting to Acrobat Reader Free.
KNOWN WORKING FIX:
- Uninstall existing Acrobat from Programs and Features (initial case had only one instance and not listed as Acrobat Free version)
- Manually remove any leftover files related to Acrobat versions in Program Files and Program Files (x86) folders
- Log end user out of Creative Cloud app completely
- Reinstall Adobe from the .zip manual installer version to make sure it uses full Pro version of installed files and not the 'universal' Install that Adobe Creative Cloud uses (it acts like Pro version but may still associate existing preferences with Acrobat Free license). https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/acrobat-dc-downloads.html
- Cloud app defaults to using
- Reboot and run Adobe Acrobat, Sign In using the top right sign in link within the Adobe Acrobat application window.
ALTERNATE FIX:
May be able to fix in some instances by choosing Install Premium Features under Help menu dropdown.
OTHER FIXES:
Run Adobe Uninstall Tool and the remove and recreate the end user's profile after backing up profile data. Do not use TransferWiz or other profile clone tools to backup and restore, we do not want to bring over bad config files.