TechNote (Archived)

Error "Cannot use Adobe Reader to view PDF..." when you open a PDF file in Internet Explorer (Acrobat 6 and 7 on Windows)

Issue

When you attempt to view a PDF in the Internet Explorer web browser, Acrobat or Adobe Reader returns the error, "Cannot use Adobe Reader to view PDF in your web browser. Reader will now exit. Please press the refresh button in your browser to start Acrobat."

Details

You have both Adobe Reader 7.0 and Acrobat 6 Professional or Standard installed on your computer.

Both Acrord32.exe and Acrobat.exe are running in the Windows Task Manager.

During installation of Adobe Reader 7.0, you chose to associate file types to Acrobat 6 rather than Adobe Reader 7.0.

If you attempt to refresh the browser window after you see the error message, you can view the PDF. However, Internet Explorer crashes when you close it. Acrobat.exe remains an active process.

Solution: Install the Adobe Reader 7.0.8 update.

In Acrobat or Adobe Reader, choose Help > Check For Updates Now to install the update.

Alternately, you can download the update from the Adobe website:

-- For Adobe Reader or Acrobat 7.x: Download the 7.0.8 update from the Adobe website at www.adobe.com/support/downloads/ .

-- For Adobe Reader 6.x or earlier: Download the full installation of Adobe Reader 7.0.8 from the Adobe website at www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html .