How to disable automatic updates in Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Acrobat 3D and Adobe Reader
What's covered
- Disabling automatic updates without having an internet connection
- Disabling automatic updates using InstallShield Tuner 7 for Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Customization Wizard
Acrobat, Acrobat 3D and Adobe Reader have an automatic update mechanism which automatically patch the application. Disabling the automatic update feature of Acrobat, Acrobat 3D and Adobe Reader can also be done via script after it has been deployed as well.
Disabling automatic updates without having an internet connection
Normally you can disable automatic updates for Acrobat via the update tool preferences interface. This tool however will not function without an internet connection. To work around this issue download this registry export: disableupdates.reg. Alternatively you can copy and paste this text into a .reg file:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\7.0\FeatureLockdown]
"bUpdater"=dword:00000000
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat\7.0\FeatureLockdown]
"bUpdater"=dword:00000000
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\8.0\FeatureLockdown]
"bUpdater"=dword:00000000
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat\8.0\FeatureLockdown]
"bUpdater"=dword:00000000
Once you download or create created the file, then double click the .reg file and then click yes on the prompt from the registry editor asking you if you want to continue.
Note: On Vista you may need to click through the elevation prompt.
Disabling automatic updates using InstallShield Tuner 7 for Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Customization Wizard
Note: Instructions assume you have InstallShield Tuner 7.0 for Adobe Acrobat (Acrobat 7 or Adobe Reader 7) or Adobe Customization Wizard (for Acrobat 8 or Adobe Reader 8) installed and are customizing the installer with these tools.
Acrobat 7:
- Click Preferences
- Click EULA and Online Features tab
- Check on Disable all Updates
- Save the transform
This setting will create the following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat\7.0\FeatureLockdown\bUpdater REG_DWORD 0
Adobe Reader 7:
- Click Preferences
- Click EULA and Online Features tab
- Check on Disable all Updates
- Save the transform
This setting will create the following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\7.0\FeatureLockdown\bUpdater REG_DWORD 0
Acrobat 8:
- Open the msi with Customization Wizard
- Click EULA and Online Options
- Check on "Disable all updates:"
This setting creates the following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat\8.0\FeatureLockdown\bUpdater REG_DWORD 0
Adobe Reader 8:
- Open the msi with Customization Wizard
- Click EULA and Online Options
- Check on "Disable all updates:"
This setting creates the following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\8.0\FeatureLockdown\bUpdater REG_DWORD 0
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