How to Download and Install Adobe Reader

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Edit, sign, print, and read PDFs free on your PC or Mac computer

Written by Megaera Lorenz, PhD

Last Updated: December 1, 2025 Fact Checked

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Installing Adobe Acrobat Reader

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Adobe Acrobat Reader is a free app that allows you to view PDFs. You can also use it to fill out and add your signature to PDF forms. In this article, we’ll walk you through the simple process of downloading and installing Adobe Acrobat Reader on your Windows or Mac computer. We’ll also answer your most common questions about Reader and offer troubleshooting tips.

Quick Steps to Install Adobe Acrobat Reader

Go to get.adobe.com/reader/.
Click Download Acrobat Reader.
Double-click the downloaded installation file in your Downloads folder.
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation process.
Launch Adobe Acrobat Reader to start viewing PDFs.

Section 1 of 2:

Installing Adobe Acrobat Reader

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Visit get.adobe.com/reader/ in a web browser. You can download Adobe Acrobat Reader for free on your Windows or Mac computer. To get started, open your favorite browser and navigate to the Reader download page.
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Click Download Acrobat Reader. It’s a blue button near the top of the page.
- Typically, the website will detect which operating system you’re using and automatically select the correct version of Reader for you to download. You’ll see that information in small text above the Download Acrobat Reader button.
  - If the wrong operating system is listed, click the small text that says More download options above the download button. Use the drop-down menus in the window that opens to select the correct version of Reader.
- You should be able to see the progress of the download at the top of your browser. Wait for the download to complete.
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Double-click the downloaded installation file. By default, it should show up in your computer’s Downloads folder. The file name will be something like “Reader_en_install” (Windows) or “AcroRdrSCADC” followed by a long sequence of numbers (Mac).
- On a Windows PC, select Yes when the window pops up asking if you want to allow the app to make changes on your device.
- On a Mac, double-clicking the installation (.dmg) file will open a folder with a .pkg file inside. Double-click the .pkg file to launch the installer.
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Follow the installation instructions. The installer will now guide you through the process of installing Adobe Reader. This process will vary a little depending on which operating system you’re using.
- On Windows, wait for the installer to download the necessary program files. Click Finish once the installation is complete.
- On Mac, select which users will have access to Adobe Reader. Use your Mac’s password or another form of authentication (like your fingerprint) to authenticate the installation when prompted. Click Close when you see a notification that the installation was completed successfully.
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Launch Adobe Reader. On a Windows PC, Reader will automatically open after you finish the installation. You can also find it by going to the Start menu and searching for “Adobe Acrobat”. On a Mac, you’ll find it in the Applications folder, inside a subfolder called Adobe Acrobat DC.
- The first time you launch Adobe Reader, you might be prompted to select it as your default app for opening PDFs. You may also need to agree to the terms and conditions for using the app.
- If you see a window offering a free trial or subscription to the full version of Adobe Acrobat, you can simply close it to continue to Adobe Reader. Reader is completely free to use.

Section 2 of 2:

Frequently Asked Questions

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Can I download Adobe Acrobat Reader for free? Yes, Reader is completely free to download and use. However, you have to upgrade to Adobe Acrobat Pro to use features like PDF creation and editing. You’ll see a small crown symbol next to any tools that require a subscription.
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What’s the difference between Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Acrobat Reader? Adobe Acrobat Reader (or Adobe Reader) is the free version of Adobe Acrobat. Reader has very limited features compared to the premium version of Acrobat. You can use it to view PDFs and fill out or sign PDF forms, but not to create or edit PDF files.
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Can I install Reader on a computer that already has Adobe Acrobat Pro? Technically, no–Reader and Adobe Acrobat are now the same app. When you pay for a subscription, it simply enables the app’s premium features. To go back to using Reader without the premium features, just sign out of your account by going to Help > Sign Out.
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Why can’t I install Adobe Acrobat Reader? There are several possible reasons for installation issues with Reader. Try some of the following fixes to see if they help:^{[1]
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- Make sure you have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
- Update your antivirus software. If your antivirus is outdated, it might not recognize the latest version of Adobe Acrobat as a legitimate app.
- Try again in a different browser. Certain browser settings can prevent you from successfully downloading the Adobe Acrobat Reader installer.
- Make sure your internet connection is stable. You might need to restart your router or run diagnostics.
- Try using this direct download link if the regular download page isn’t working.
- For more advanced troubleshooting tips, check out this guide from Adobe.

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How do I know Adobe Reader is installed on my computer ?

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If you've gone through the entire install process, it should be on your desktop. But if it's not there, check Explorer/Finder's "Downloads" folder. If it isn't there, the application hasn't been installed.

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How do I install Adobe Acrobat Reader on my phone?

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These apps are available for installation on the Apple App store and the Google Play store. The installation instructions are set out step-by-step above.

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I can't find the installation file in the desktop. Where can it be?

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It is probably on the download files check This PC>Downloads. If it's not there, then you didn't download the program.

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If you need to create or edit a PDF, there are plenty of free third-party apps and websites you can use, including Canva and PDF24. Preview, the built-in photo viewing and editing app on Mac, also includes a variety of PDF editing tools.

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