# Adobe Reader conflicts with Acrobat

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adobe-reader-conflicts-with-acrobat/452228>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 8, 2008, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adobe-reader-conflicts-with-acrobat/452228 "2008-06-08T15:19:56Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![CannyDan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cannydan/32/548_2.png) [@CannyDan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CannyDan)\
**Post date:** [June 8, 2008, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adobe-reader-conflicts-with-acrobat/452228/1 "2008-06-08T15:19:56Z")

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Help! My Adobe Reader 8 has taken over my Adobe Acrobat Pro 6!

I cannot open Acrobat. Does not matter if I use a shortcut or go straight to Acrobat.exe in the file directory-- Reader 8 opens instead. Same as if I run AcroRd32.exe. So, while I can obviously read a PDF, I can no longer create one.

I’ve tried changing associated file types, pointing PDF to Acrobat.exe, but still the blasted Reader opens.

I would not mind uninstalling Reader, but now I’m afraid the uninstall may take Acrobat with it! Anyone have and experience with this?

System is WinXP SP2.

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**Author:** ![troubledwater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f4b2a3/32.png) [@troubledwater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/troubledwater)\
**Post date:** [June 8, 2008, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adobe-reader-conflicts-with-acrobat/452228/2 "2008-06-08T15:29:17Z")

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Try opening your Task Manager and use End Process to shut down AcroRd32.exe. _Then_ open Acrobat.

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**Author:** ![CannyDan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cannydan/32/548_2.png) [@CannyDan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CannyDan)\
**Post date:** [June 8, 2008, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adobe-reader-conflicts-with-acrobat/452228/3 "2008-06-08T16:39:47Z")

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[QUOTE=Ms. Meta]  
Try opening your Task Manager and use End Process to shut down AcroRd32.exe. _Then_ open Acrobat.  
[/QUOTE]

Marvelous!! That did it!

Thank you.