Share via

Can't find Adobe Acrobat DC after downloading from Surface Pro App Store

Kimberley Womack 20 Reputation points
2026-02-23T16:35:04.98+00:00

I can't get my Surface Pro with a 64-bit ARM-based operating system to download and open Adobe Acrobat DC - free version. When using the app store, it will download and install but doesn't appear on the app list. When using Adobe's website, the installer will download but stall out during the installation process at 90% complete.

Last month I had a perfectly good version working excellently. I don't know what change and why I can no longer use this program.

Surface | Surface Pro | Install and update
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
  1. Clary-N 9,850 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-02-24T07:56:09.0666667+00:00

    Hi Kimberley Womack,

    Thank you for posting on Microsoft Q&A forum. I know it’s especially confusing when Adobe Acrobat was working fine before and suddenly won’t install or show up.

    What you’re experiencing can occur on some Microsoft Surface devices that use a 64‑bit ARM‑based processor. On these systems, certain desktop applications are not yet fully optimized for Windows on ARM and may behave differently during installation or launch. This can include cases where an app appears to install but doesn’t show up afterward, or where the installer does not complete successfully.

    The most stable approach is to install the 32‑bit (x86) version of Adobe Acrobat Reader using Adobe’s offline installer. This version runs using Windows’ built‑in compatibility layer and avoids the Microsoft Store and online installer issues that you’re seeing now.

    To do this cleanly, I recommend first removing any partially installed Acrobat components so there’s no conflict. Once that’s done, you can install the offline 32‑bit version directly from Adobe. After installation, Acrobat should appear normally and open without issue.

    It’s important to note that, on ARM devices, Acrobat currently runs in compatibility mode. That means some features like Outlook PDF integration or File Explorer thumbnails may be limited and performance may be slightly slower than on Intel or AMD systems. This is expected behavior on ARM and doesn’t indicate a problem with your Surface.

    Step 1: Remove any existing Acrobat installation

    -Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps

    -If you see Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Acrobat Reader or Adobe Creative Cloud, uninstall them

    -Restart the device once the uninstall is complete

    Step 2: Download the appropriate Acrobat installer

    -Open a web browser and go to Adobe’s official download page

    -Select Adobe Acrobat Reader (free)

    -Scroll down then select More download options

    -Choose the 32‑bit (x86) version

    If PDFs continue to open in Microsoft Edge, you can change the default app:

    • Right‑click a PDF file > Open with > Choose another app
    • Select Adobe Acrobat Reader
    • Check Always use this app

    If the issue continues after following these steps, it’s recommended to contact Adobe Support directly, as they can provide guidance specific to Acrobat compatibility and installation behavior on Windows on ARM devices.

    *Disclaimer: Microsoft provides no assurances and/or warranties, implied or otherwise, and is not responsible for the information you receive from the third-party linked sites or any support related to technology.

    I hope this helps. Please feel free to let me know if you have any other questions.

    If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".  

    Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

    1 person found this answer helpful.

1 additional answer

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Q&A Assist
    2026-02-23T16:35:15.85+00:00
    AI generated content. This question contains an answer created with AI from Q&A Assist. Learn more

    It seems you are experiencing issues with Adobe Acrobat DC on your Surface Pro with a 64-bit ARM-based operating system. Here are a few points to consider:

    1. App Compatibility: Adobe Acrobat DC may not be fully optimized for ARM-based devices. While some Adobe applications are available natively for ARM, others may not function correctly due to compatibility issues.
    2. Installation Issues: If the app is not appearing in your app list after installation, it could be due to compatibility problems or installation errors. You might want to check if there are any updates available for your Surface Pro or the app itself.
    3. Alternative Installation Methods: Since the installer from Adobe's website is stalling at 90%, it might be worth trying to download a different version of the installer or checking for any specific ARM-compatible versions if available.
    4. App Assure Program: If you continue to face issues, consider utilizing the App Assure program, which provides assistance for app compatibility issues on Windows 10 and Windows 11 ARM devices. This service can help troubleshoot and resolve issues related to non-Microsoft software like Adobe products.
    5. Check for Updates: Ensure that your Windows operating system is up to date, as updates can sometimes resolve compatibility issues with applications.

    If the problem persists, you may want to reach out to Adobe support for further assistance specific to their software on ARM-based devices.

    References:

    0 comments

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.