• Main Reader Download Page
• FTP Download Page

This was, of course, not a straightforward decision - there are lots of dependencies that we need to deal with, including third-party dependencies, platform limitations, internal and external dependencies and resource constraints. These constraints are not always apparent but have to be dealt with when a huge product like the Reader needs to be ported to a new platform.

As always, we're keen on understanding the needs of the users of our product and to do as much as we possibly can. We would like to thank each one of you for persevering, and would request you to continue to provide us with valuable feedback about any and every aspect of the product to help us make it even better! And of course, thanks for your patience!

On behalf of The Unix Reader Team

For all Windows Users - If you are looking for support related to issues with the Reader on Windows, please use the User-to-user forums. If you have purchased support for Acrobat, please use the official Acrobat Support Page.

Problem
Problems installing or uninstalling Adobe Reader 8.1.2 on Windows

Solution
Windows Reader users who are having problems in updating or rolling back from version 8.1.2, or getting the 1714 error during installation may find help on this official Adobe KB page at: http://kb.adobe.com/selfservice/viewContent.do?externalId=320310&sliceId=1

Following is a list of the various comments we've received related to this problem:

The error I am receiving with my Adobe upgrade is that the older version of 8.1.2 cannot be removed. To contact my technical support people. However, as I am a private individual, I am the technical support. Any suggestions??

Posted by: Linda | February 19, 2008 12:35 AM

My Adobe Reader updated to the 8.1.2 version and now I can't print from it. I am running a Windows XP operating system. I also can't fix the update as it sayd that an older version cannot be removed. If I delete the Adobe and try to reinstall it, again it comes up with an older version cannot be removed with a file it sayd is not there. Any suggestions?

Posted by: Mary Anne | February 20, 2008 12:40 AM

I can open a pdf e mail file to read but it will not print,says unable to print...is printer ready,which it is.
also get error 1344 trying to open some pdf emails that have been saved.

Posted by: peter wilkinson | February 26, 2008 08:39 AM

I have the same problem as Linda. I don't get any Icons for *.pdf documents! When I try the autoupdate, uninstall or manual remove and a new download and install, the install stops with the message Reader 8.1.2 can't be removed. when I run adobe reader, it starts o.k. but tells me, it's version 8.1.1 ! Any ideas? "please help me if you can, I'm feeling down, and I do apreciate ..."

Posted by: Marc | March 7, 2008 04:52 PM

I've found it! Solution on http://www.adobeforums.com/webx/.3c06482d
where maggie hallinan (http://www.adobeforums.com/webx?224@@2d1f975f@.3c06482d/2)
suggested to use the "Microsoft Windows Installer CleanUp Utilities".
Worked for me fine to!
cu, Marc.

Posted by: Marc | March 7, 2008 05:11 PM

The error I am receiving with my Adobe upgrade is that the older version of 8.1.2 cannot be removed. To contact my technical support people. However, as I am a private individual, I need technical support.

Posted by: rudolfo | March 8, 2008 01:18 PM

Unable to bring up any tax fil from my broker which i desparetly need When reinstalling says"cannot uninstall older version. Can you help me?

Posted by: DAN SMITH | March 9, 2008 12:29 AM

Unable to updated to Adobe 8.1.2.... I can't even print pdf's anymore with this application. Why can't I uninstall Adobe's 8.1.1 and update -- Dialog informs me a "patch" is missing?? Rolled back to Adobe 7. I'm using Windows XP.

Posted by: Rosalyn Martin | March 10, 2008 12:16 AM

After downloading update 8.1.2 I haven't been able to use AdobeReader. I keept trying to reinstall, update or remove and I keep getting a message saying, "The path 'C:\DOCUME~1\CHARLES~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\Adobe Reader 8_\AcroRead.msi cannot be found.' And I also receive a message saying "The older version of Adobe Reader 8.1.2 cannot be removed. Contact technical support."

What can I do? Please help!

Posted by: Charles Lovelace | March 10, 2008 07:25 AM

Adobe Reader 8.1.1 doesn't function well: I can read PDF-pages, but I can't print them. A new try to install failed and the message was that an older version couldnot be removed. When I tried to remove the program with the standard uninstall-possibilities of Windows XP I received the message that the program couldnot open the patchpack (or package?) and that I should ask you if the Adobe Reader contains a valid Windows XP Installer-Pactchpack(age?). Wat can I do and how can you help.

With regards,
Anton de Jong

Posted by: A. de Jong | March 11, 2008 07:13 AM

Acrobat was unable to print.
I tried to re install ver 8.1.2
I also receive a message saying "The older version of Adobe Reader 8.1.2 cannot be removed. Contact technical support."

Posted by: arnaud Bibard | March 13, 2008 07:36 PM

The error I am receiving with my Adobe upgrade is that the older version of 8.1.2 cannot be removed. To contact my technical support people.
Or it keeps saying that the printer is unavailable?? Any suggestions??

Posted by: Ian Cullen | March 17, 2008 07:07 AM

I'm have the same troubles as many of the other users.
My Adobe Reader updated to the 8.1.2 version and now I can't print from it. I am running a Windows XP operating system. I also can't fix the update as it says that an older version cannot be removed. If I delete the Adobe and try to reinstall it, again it comes up with an older version cannot be removed with a file it says is not there. Any suggestions?

Posted by: Dean Avery | March 18, 2008 01:56 AM

When I tried to remove Abode Reader 8.1.1, there was an error messege: This patch package could not be opened!! I couldnt remove or update the program! Please Help!

Posted by: Nancy | March 18, 2008 08:27 AM

I am having same problem as Nancy...need this program for work! HELP!!!!

Posted by: Ganesa Wiens | March 19, 2008 08:50 AM

Same problem here. I can't use it, repair it, delete it or even open it. Get a message telling me that the patch package cannot be opened. Verify that it exists. I have no idea what to do. Throw me a life line here...pretty please?

Posted by: Ganesa Wiens | March 19, 2008 08:56 AM

This patch issue seems to be a recurring problem. I too am unable to uninstall AR 8.1.1 for the same reason. Is there an answer???

Posted by: Greg Cooke | March 21, 2008 08:21 AM

Same as is the one posted the most....can't print, can't unistall.

where are the answers to these posts?

Posted by: Michele | March 21, 2008 05:32 PM

I have tried to remove adobe 8.1.1 as it is not working properly.
When I try to remove it from add/remove programs in control pannel a message appears: Missing patch file,make sure file patch exists.
It will not let me remove it. Any ideas?

Posted by: kEVIN MARSH | March 21, 2008 06:54 PM

I also have trouble with the reader pdf
same as others it will not work and can not remove it or reistall it as many poeple are having same problems how can I get to answer
is there somewhere i cat go to get a response

Posted by: bill thomson | March 22, 2008 12:26 AM

Same problem with the patch could not be opened error. Never had this problem before today. Where do we find help? All I get is directed to this page.

Posted by: Janet | March 22, 2008 04:32 AM

8.1.1 reader does not function it always fails cannot reload cannot uninstall refers to AC76BA-7AD7-0000-2550-7ABC-40000000 cannot use it update or remove it

Posted by: Tommy Wooten | March 22, 2008 10:36 PM

The error I am receiving with my Adobe upgrade is that the older version of 8.1.2 cannot be removed. To contact my technical support people. However, as I am a private individual, I need technical support

Posted by: richard ojeda | March 23, 2008 04:39 AM

NEED HELP. SAME PROBLEM CAN,T UNINSTALL OR PUT ANOTHER VERSION.

Posted by: JUDY FARK | March 23, 2008 11:37 AM

Same problems. Older version of 8.1.2 cannot be removed. Cannot use Reader or reinstall. WTF?!

Posted by: Shannon | March 25, 2008 06:20 AM

Same problem as preceding folks - how do we uninstall 8.1.1? Doesn't function, no reload, no way out - how do we get rid of this thing?

Posted by: Pete Lord | March 28, 2008 06:52 AM

The error I am receiving with my Adobe upgrade is that the older version of 8.1.2 cannot be removed. To contact my technical support people.
Or it keeps saying that the printer is unavailable?? Any suggestions??

Posted by: f.g.pachano | March 28, 2008 03:08 PM

Hi. I get the same results and messages as. A. de Jong | March 11, 2008. But I don't see any answers for this problem. I tried to update to 8.1.2 but when i try to install it the message comes up that, it cant install because of the problem patch of 8.1.1.
Please help as I am stuck without the reader. It did not happen before i updated to newer version 8.1.1

Nic (XP)

Posted by: Nic | March 28, 2008 08:14 PM

I thought i was going "bonkers" till i read other persons are having the same problem of not being able to install 8.1.2

Posted by: Maurice | March 28, 2008 11:33 PM

I can read PDF-pages, but I can't print them. A new try to install failed and the message was that an older version couldnot be removed. When I tried to remove the program with the standard uninstall-possibilities of Windows XP I received the message that the program could not open the patch pack and that I should ask you if the Adobe Reader contains a valid Windows XP Installer-Pactchpack.I need to print an important document.

Posted by: Tracey | March 29, 2008 03:00 AM

I can not remove or update Adobe Reader8.1.1 form my Pc it tells me Error 1714 the older version CAN NOT be removed.or this patch could not be opened,verify that the patch exists and you can access it.or contact the application vender to verify is a valid windows Installer patch package.

Posted by: Joe Perez | March 29, 2008 03:19 AM

Same as everyone else, can no longer open pdf files. Keep getting error 1714. I can't remove the older version and reinstall. This is a BIG problem for me.

Posted by: Chris Watkins | March 31, 2008 03:04 AM

I am having the same issues like most of the postings. I cannot print, I have Windows XP, and Adobe Reader 8.1.2. I tried manually removing as per instructions on your website but when I get to removing c:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\Active X\del ACroIEHelper.dll it tells me access denied. What can I do to correct this issue?

Posted by: Arleen Gross | March 31, 2008 04:47 AM

I have tried to remove adobe 8.1.1 as it is not working properly.
When I try to remove Adobe Reader 8.1.1 from add/remove programs in control pannel a message appears: Missing patch file,make sure file patch exists.
It will not let me remove it. Can you help me?

Posted by: Judith Abernathy | March 31, 2008 07:36 AM

Hi- I use the Canada Post website to print my shipping labels and it is always when using it that I get the notices of upgrades etc. I d/l 8.1.2 a few days ago but then I got error message that it failed to install. Message of upgrades popped up again today so I tried again. Still says failed to install. What do I do????

Posted by: Pat Pitcher | March 31, 2008 10:46 PM

Has anyone heard back about the "unable to uninstall 8.1.1" due to patch package? I tried to do it as well with the same result. I would like to get 8.1.2 and I can't due to the problems with 8.1.1. Please advise and help! Thanks.... Staci

Posted by: staci | April 1, 2008 12:05 AM

Same problem as Tracey, Nic, Pete, Tommy, Janet, Greg, Ganesa, and Nancy! HELP! I can't print any PDF files, can't uninstall, can't update. Major mess!!!

Posted by: Lucy | April 1, 2008 10:20 AM

I'm having the same problem as most here. I can't uninstall or remove 8.1.1 it's crazy. Please ....some advice please.And i can't update because of the error "patch" thing

Posted by: rebecca whitehouse | April 2, 2008 02:07 AM

Same problem, 8.1.1 does not function well at all and wont uninstall. Operating system is Windows XP. Does anyone have a solution???

Posted by: Andy Jones | April 7, 2008 05:45 PM

I need to uninstall Adobe Reader 8.1.1 before installing 8.1.2....cannot uninstall....need Adobe Reader 8.1.2 in order to print my income tax returns. Please help

Posted by: Claire | April 9, 2008 06:45 AM

abode8.1.1 wnat let me open to my broker/want let me uninstall it/say can uninstall old verion can not be remove/ helphelp runner window xp

Posted by: james brown | April 9, 2008 10:32 AM

cant remove old version ... can anyone help me?

Posted by: Ron | April 10, 2008 09:43 AM

I cannot fully delete an earlier version of Adobe Reader in order to install an updated version. An update file [AC76BA86-7AD7-0000-2550-7A8C40000000] cannot be removed. How do I uninstall this file so that I may install a newer version of Adobe Reader?

Posted by: Bob | April 10, 2008 08:09 PM

I am trying to install Reader 8.1.2 but it keeps erroring out telling me it can remove an older version of 8.1.2. I don't have any versions of Reader installed and it keeps giving me this message.

Posted by: Russ | April 11, 2008 04:24 AM

how do you delete reader 8.1.1

Posted by: andrea dove | April 12, 2008 10:01 PM

I would request all those users who have faced this issue to post comments on how they reproduced the problem and give some information on their OS/distribution, etc. to help us isolate the issue. Thanks for your continuous feedback and comments!

Because it's not a perfect world, it's not always possible to implement each and every feature request, but we do look at each item very seriously and try our best to implement the same.

So if you have a great idea or feature that you'd like to see implemented in the Adobe Reader for Unix Platforms, go ahead and post a comment on this page. We will add your idea to this list after review. Once again, thanks for your continues feedback - that's what keeps us going!

Note: This page is for feature requests, not bug reports. Bugs can be posted on the Known Issues Page, or the User-to-user forums.

1. Tabbed Viewing of PDF Documents Currently Adobe Reader does not support Tabbed Viewing of documents, which is an MDI (Multiple Document Interface) view. Tabbed Viewing allows documents to be viewed in separate tabs within the same Reader window (similar to web browsers such as Firefox or Opera).
2. Reloading / Refreshing an opened PDF Document
   If a PDF document is already being viewed in Adobe Reader and the document's contents change from an external source (such as an external PDF creator), the Reader should automatically reload the document from the new contents (with the user's permission, of course).
3. Support for Solaris x86 Platform
   Currently the latest version of the Reader (8.x) does not support Solaris x86 platform. Support for this platform has been requested by a large number of users.

1. Acroread 8.1.2 cannot print multiple copies
   There's a bug in Adobe Reader 8.1.2 (reported here) wherein printing to multiple copies to any printer doesn't work.
2. Some 3D files throw "3D Parsing Error" on trying to enable 3D on Solaris
   This issue is present on Solaris Reader and is file specific. On trying to enable 3D on some 3D files on Solaris the Reader returns an alert saying "3D Parsing Error" and the 3D image is shown blank.
3. Acroread 8.x doesn't properly support Unix Style Copy/Paste
   This issue has been reported by multiple users at on the User-to-user forums. The Primary selection clipboard text is not updated on second selection and the paste returns the first item that was selected. This is a known bug in Adobe Reader 8.x and will be fixed in the next release.
4. Acroread locks up when going to Edit -> Preferences | Reviewing
   This issue has been reported by users here. The issue is reproducible on opensuse 10.3, Ubuntu 6.10 and RHEL5. The hang/lock-up happens on second or third iteration of opening the Edit -> Preferences -> Reviewing tab.

1. Download and install the Adobe Release RPM (one-time step only)
2. Run the Yum command with the Adobe Reader for your language, as follows:
   yum install AdobeReader_enu (for English)
   yum install AdobeReader_jpn (for Japanese) etc.

• Problems running on Solaris 10: There were issues with Adobe Reader 8.1.1 on the default installation of Solaris 10 due to GTK version. This has been fixed in 8.1.2 Reader which does not require users to upgrade GTK to 2.6.
• Launch problem on Solaris 9: On some Solaris 9 machines Acroread 8.1.1 did not launch and hung on startup. This has been fixed in Reader 8.1.2
• Font caching Issues: Various font caching issues are fixed in Reader 8.1.2, including the issue of fonts that were configured using fontconfig not being picked up by the Reader to render documents (reported by Novell here).
• Reader freezes for 40 seconds on startup: This was also related to font caching (originally reported here) and has been fixed in Reader 8.1.2
• Unable to find the HTML rendering library (libgtkembedmoz): This issue was reported by many users who did not have the libgtkmozembed library installed properly (discussed in the Adobe Reader 8.1.1 FAQs, point 2). Some fixes have been made in Reader 8.1.2 to ensure that the alert for the missing library is not shown on every startup to enhance the user experience.
• Problem with Dual-screen setup (Xinerama mode): Issue number 4 listed on the Known Issues page for Reader 8.1.1 (also reported here). This has been fixed in Reader 8.1.2
• Firefox plugin problem on SELinux Enabled systems: On SELinux enabled systems nppdf.so did not load with Reader 8.1.1 (originally reported here). This has been fixed in Reader 8.1.2.
• Document ordering and fullscreen mode: Issue reported here has been fixed in Reader 8.1.2
• Font KozGoProVI-Medium.otf is missing in Japanese Reader: Reported here, this issue is fixed in Reader 8.1.2
• Not able to play multimedia with RealPlayer 10 on Linux under some conditions:8.1.2 Reader has better support for playing multimedia using the latest release of RealPlayer on Linux.

• Incorrect orientation: Issues with printing PDF files containing portrait and landscape pages (reported here) have been fixed in Reader 8.1.2. Choosing "Auto Rotate and Center" will now print the pages in their inherent orientation.
• Red wash on printing with HP CLJ 2605: A workaround for this has been added in the preferences ($HOME/.adobe/Acrobat/8.0/Preferences/reader_prefs), namely "brokenCRDs". This value is set to "false" by default and can be modified to "true" if one faces the red background issue.
• Scaling issues: Problems with -shrink/-expand options in the command line (Issue #1 listed on the Known Issues page for Reader 8.1.1) as well as with "Custom" printing in the dialog (reported here) have been fixed in Reader 8.1.2
• Incorrect preview on Ubuntu Fiesty: The default page size for a printer (and not US Letter) is used to draw the print preview.
• Reader does not remember last chosen printer across sessions: Last chosen printer is now remembered between different sessions of the Reader in 8.1.2 release.
• Cannot pipe PDF as input to acroread: PDF contents can be read from stdin when using the -toPostScript option
• Hardcoding of printer command: Earlier the printer command was hardcoded in the reader binary (reported here). This has been fixed in Reader 8.1.2 to pick up the command from the PATH environment variable.

Download Links:

An overview of the major bug fixes and enhancements in this release will be posted shortly. Go ahead and download this latest version of the Unix Reader and let us know your feedback. We look forward to hearing from you!

Wishing you all Happy Holidays and a wonderful New Year! See you all in 2008 :-)

If you are interested in enrolling for the pre-release program, please get in touch with Anupam Garg (agarg at adobe dot com), the Program Manager for this project, and he will assist you from there. If you have any questions about this pre-release program, feel free to post your comments here or write in to Anupam. Looking forward to a healthy participation and useful feedback!

Download Links

• All Versions
• Direct links - French
• Direct links - German
• Direct links - Japanese
• Font Packs - All Versions
• Font Packs - Direct Links

Do come back to let us know what you found (yes - spoilers are allowed!!) Good luck!!

1. shrink and expand options in -toPostScript command line options do not work
   The -shrink and -expand suboptions when given with the -toPostScript command line option do not work - these options have no effect on the scaling property of the generated postscript file.[FIXED IN ADOBE READER 8.1.2]
2. JavaScript getField.display call fails on a non-form-rights-enabled document when called in page-open /PO event
   The JS fragment:
   f = getField(name)
   f.display = display.hidden
   f.display = display.true
   With Adobe Reader 8.1.1 the fragment fails when run in a page-open /PO event, unless the PDF is forms-enabled.
   But the fragment works in a non-forms enabled PDF for all the other events: mouse down, mouse up, mouse enter,
   mouse exit etc.
3. Animation files with Optional Content Groups (OCG) run slow
   PDF files with animated graphical content containing Optional Content Groups, controlled using embedded JavaScripts, run with slow jerky movements in Adobe Reader 8.1.1.
4. Problem with Dual-screen setup (Xinerama mode)
   When used under dual-screen setup, maximizing the Acroread window leaves the contents of the page unchanged, whereas the window is maximized.[FIXED IN ADOBE READER 8.1.2]
5. Wrong Minimum GTK version for Solaris in the ReadMe
   Adobe Reader 8.1.1 for Sparc Solaris requires a minimum GTK version 2.6. However, the ReadMe incorrectly specifies GTK 2.4 as the minimum requirement. For more information on updating the GTK libraries on Solaris, please refer point no. 8 in the Adobe Reader 8.1.1 FAQs.[FIXED IN ADOBE READER 8.1.2]