Adobe Acrobat and Reader compatibility on same computer

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I have Adobe 8 Pro (v8.3) running on Win 7 64bit. It does everything I need as the default program setting for .pdf files. Occasionally, I encounter important websites that offer viewing and downloading of pdf documents, but insist that I lack Adobe Reader and insist that I download “the latest version” of the free Adobe Reader. I resent programmers who write code that looks for Reader instead of the default PDF application. I know from experience that doing that introduced incompatibilities as Pro 8 and Reader X and even earlier versions are not recommended by Adobe to be on the same system. One result is that uninstalling one can render the other inoperable because they will share some files.

Can anyone tell me if I can and how to work around this? I also have PDF Converter 6 Pro (bought in resistance to Adobe’s pricing) but it does not get seen either.

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Maybe work around it and install another reader, not from Adobe. Several have been suggested here on the Lounge: Nitro PDF 2, Foxit Reader, PDF XChange-Viewer and some others.

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The problem is the website insisting on Adobe Reader and no other. If it were an Adobe issue alone, I would think my Nuance PDF Converter 6, which opens or views all pdf files if set as the default, would work as a reader.

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The problem is the website insisting on Adobe Reader and no other. If it were an Adobe issue alone, I would think my Nuance PDF Converter 6, which opens or views all pdf files if set as the default, would work as a reader.

Probably that one has no browser add on or plugin, so the browser does not use it.

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Probably that one has no browser add on or plugin, so the browser does not use it.

Thanks for responding – Acrobat 8 Pro and PDF Converter both have browser and MS Office plug-ins. It took me awhile to 1) update Acrobat 8 to 8.3 (which works fine with Win 7); 2) set it as a default and 3) get pdf’s to preview properly on almost all websites and within Win 7 explorer.exe and Outlook 2010. The latter took a registry change.

My current problem is not universal across all websites. Most let me view pdfs without issues. It occurs only when I log in to certain sites that have pdf files I need. When I click on each pdf icon to view/print or download, I get the message insisting on installing the latest Acrobat Reader to access them. It is not a plug-in issue – I think it is a programming issue that fails to accept any pdf application other than the free Reader. If there is no Reader then there is no access.

I’ve researched Adobe Acrobat 8 and Reader 8 or 9 co-existence issues at Adobe.com and find conflicting answers, one of which is do not install Reader when you already have a full Acrobat version on your system. That is the only workaround area I think is available to me, and I’m looking for some insight on how to get both to work together on Win 7 64bit if anyone has done so.

PS I just found http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/333/333223.html at Adobe’s support on this question. It says installing Acrobat 8 Professional is “allowed” AFTER installing Adobe Reader 9! It does not discuss adding Adobe Reader 9 after having Adobe 8 Pro installed.

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Thanks for responding – Acrobat 8 Pro and PDF Converter both have browser and MS Office plug-ins. It took me awhile to 1) update Acrobat 8 to 8.3 (which works fine with Win 7); 2) set it as a default and 3) get pdf’s to preview properly on almost all websites and within Win 7 explorer.exe and Outlook 2010. The latter took a registry change.

My current problem is not universal across all websites. Most let me view pdfs without issues. It occurs only when I log in to certain sites that have pdf files I need. When I click on each pdf icon to view/print or download, I get the message insisting on installing the latest Acrobat Reader to access them. It is not a plug-in issue – I think it is a programming issue that fails to accept any pdf application other than the free Reader. If there is no Reader then there is no access.

I’ve researched Adobe Acrobat 8 and Reader 8 or 9 co-existence issues at Adobe.com and find conflicting answers, one of which is do not install Reader when you already have a full Acrobat version on your system. That is the only workaround area I think is available to me, and I’m looking for some insight on how to get both to work together on Win 7 64bit if anyone has done so.

PS I just found http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/333/333223.html at Adobe’s support on this question. It says installing Acrobat 8 Professional is “allowed” AFTER installing Adobe Reader 9! It does not discuss adding Adobe Reader 9 after having Adobe 8 Pro installed.

Sorry for having to revive this old post, but I just came across this exact same problem you are describing.
This problem only recently started happening on a couple of new sites that I need to print pdfs and would like to know if you found a solution before I try to invent one myself.

Thanks

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For anyone who is interested, this problem seems to be a browser problem. The latest version of Firefox with the most up to date flash plugin still crashes. However, Chrome has no problem displaying the pdf. So rather than trying to un-install or try different pdf software, just install Chrome and you’re all set.
After years of using Firefox, I hate to have to learn a new browser. But after a few days, it’s actually quite intuitive.

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For anyone who is interested, this problem seems to be a browser problem. The latest version of Firefox with the most up to date flash plugin still crashes. However, Chrome has no problem displaying the pdf. So rather than trying to un-install or try different pdf software, just install Chrome and you’re all set.
After years of using Firefox, I hate to have to learn a new browser. But after a few days, it’s actually quite intuitive.

Sierras………..I have the latest Chrome and I can not make it work for a download of “Whatsinstartup” it insists it wants Adobe but then it won’t read it. It gives me an error message that “whatsinstartup” was downloaded from an email. How do I force Chrome to read this application. It shows up in Explorer downloads with adobe but not with Chrome.

Thanks………….glenda

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I use Nitro PDF Reader and never found a website where it didn’t work. I have long stopped using adobe reader, so I don’t think I can help any further. Sorry.

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