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Patch reliability is unclear. Unless you have an immediate, pressing need to install a specific patch, don't do it. |
Susan cautioned today about “Acrobat and Reader”. In my list of programs, I have Acrobat (459mb) and Air (no size specified).
I assume it is safe to uninstall Acrobat. Do I need Adobe Air for anything? Please advise on the wisdom of uninstalling both. Thank you in advance for any guidance.
Windows 10 Home. HP 12GB RAM 256GB SSD 4year old desktop.
I removed Adobe Acrobat DC and all traces of it about 2 or 3 months ago and replaced it with Sumatra PDF. It’s fast, free and open source. Don’t know why I waited so long.
https://www.sumatrapdfreader.org/free-pdf-reader
For editing or creating PDF files I use PDF Sam Enhanced Version.
When I checked our PC’s yesterday, they were already patched for the recent vulnerability. The last Adobe update occurred on August 10th on our machines. Adobe has an “Adobe Acrobat Update Task” that runs daily and at logon. Our Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is on the continuous track.
Another option would be to “Check for Updates…” from the Adobe Help menu, and update to the latest vulnerability fixes available.
Not sure which PDF reader or editor is safest, but automatic security updates are helpful.
Windows 10 22H2 desktops & laptops on Dell, HP, ASUS; No servers, no domain.
Thank you for taking the time to explain thoroughly. You are oldfry, I am oldschool. I hope the Adobe continues to serve you well. As a small business person, I’ve become distrustful of most quasi-monopolistic businesses such as Adobe (and especially MS) especially when they switch their offerings over to subscription based models. I bought Creative Suite then Lightroom until they switched to their every year guaranteed revenue generating systems. They were not used on a daily basis in my business. So, one finds alternative suppliers that may not be best of breed but do get the job done. I have tried Foxit PDF reader and it seems sufficient for my needs so I will probably delete Adobe and be done with them forever. Another poster recommended Sumatra PDF and I may try that one also. Also, have gotten rid of google as much as is possible. But I do appreciate the time you spent writing a thoughtful and detailed reply. Small businesses are the true innovators and the only salvation and lifeblood of America.
Windows 10 Home. HP 12GB RAM 256GB SSD 4year old desktop.
Do I need Adobe Air for anything?
Most unlikely.
Please advise on the wisdom of uninstalling both.
You won’t regret it.
I have not had Adobe Air on any of my PCs for years. It’s very unlikely you need Adobe Air, however some software still requires it. Here’s a good explainer and the history of A Air.
https://www.thewindowsclub.com/what-is-adobe-air-used-for
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