How do I install/re-install Adobe Acrobat Pro on ARM-based processor

Hi @Andrew M

Thank you for posting your question in the Microsoft Q&A forum 

Regarding your issue, since your Surface is running Windows 11 on an ARM‑based processor (Snapdragon X series). While Windows 11 can run many traditional desktop applications on ARM devices, some apps including Adobe Acrobat Pro are not currently built as native ARM applications and instead rely on compatibility emulation. Because of this, the standard 64‑bit installer may fail to install correctly, or the app may not behave as expected on ARM‑based systems. 

For better compatibility, Adobe supports installing Acrobat Pro using the 32‑bit (x86) version, which runs under emulation on ARM devices. Installing this version using Adobe’s offline installer tends to work more reliably, especially if Creative Cloud installation fails. 

Adobe Acrobat and Acrobat Reader ARM processor support on Windows 

How to install CC-Acrobat/CC-App on Windows ARM with Snapdragon X-processor (Microsoft Surface Pro)… 

(Disclaimer: Those are non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.    

Please note that when running under emulation, some features may be limited (for example, Outlook integration, File Explorer PDF thumbnails, or performance differences compared to Intel/AMD devices). These behaviors are related to application compatibility on ARM‑based systems rather than a hardware issue. 

Hopefully it will help work with your issue and if you have any other questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask.   

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To install or re-install Adobe Acrobat Pro on your ARM-based Surface device, you should be aware that some Adobe applications may not run natively on ARM architecture. Adobe Acrobat Pro is not fully optimized for ARM, which means it might not perform as expected or could have compatibility issues. Here are the steps you can follow:

1. Check Compatibility: Ensure that you are using the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Pro that supports ARM architecture. You may need to check Adobe's website or support for any updates regarding ARM compatibility.
2. Download the Installer: Go to the Adobe website and download the installer for Adobe Acrobat Pro. Make sure to select the version that is compatible with your device.
3. Install the Application: Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions. If the application is not ARM-native, it may run under emulation, which could affect performance.
4. Troubleshooting: If you encounter issues during installation or while using the application, consider reaching out to Adobe support or checking their forums for assistance regarding ARM-based installations.
5. Alternative Solutions: If Adobe Acrobat Pro does not work well on your device, you might want to explore alternative PDF applications that are optimized for ARM, such as PDF readers or editors that are known to run smoothly on ARM architecture.

Keep in mind that while many x86 Win32 apps run on ARM-based devices through emulation, performance may vary, and some features may not be fully supported.

References:

• Windows ARM chip considerations
• Deploy, manage, and service Arm-based Surface devices
• What's new with Windows on Arm emulation?
• Creating bootable media
• Recommended ARM-compatible software
• Incompatible or partially supported software on Windows ARM