Adobe Reader X / FAQ
- What is Adobe® Reader®?
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Adobe Reader is free software that lets you open, view, search, digitally sign, verify, and print PDF files. To date, more than 600 million copies of Reader have been distributed worldwide on 23 platforms and in 33 languages.
- Why should I upgrade to Adobe Reader X?
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Adobe Reader X adds much in the way of new functionality, especially relating to signing files, highlighting and commenting, security, and enhanced user experience.
- Is Adobe Reader X free?
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Yes, Adobe Reader X is free software available on the Adobe Reader download page or wherever you see the Get Adobe Reader icon.
- How do I download Adobe Reader?
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Visit the Adobe Reader download page to download Reader X. Once there, you can identify your language, operating system, and connection speed. Adobe Reader downloads and installs automatically on your system.
You can also download previous versions of Reader that run on Linux® and Solaris™ platforms. For mobile access, download the latest version of the Reader mobile app from Google Play or the Apple iTunes App Store.
- Do I need Adobe Acrobat® software to use Adobe Reader?
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No, Adobe Reader is a free, standalone application that you can use to open, view, comment on, highlight, search, digitally sign, verify, and print PDF files, such as those created by Adobe Acrobat or Adobe LiveCycle® software.
- How can I use Adobe Reader to take advantage of services at Acrobat.com?
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It's easy to access Acrobat.com services from within Reader X:
- Use Adobe ExportPDF to turn PDF files into editable Word, Excel, and RTF documents.
- Use Adobe CreatePDF to convert files to PDF documents without installing additional software on your desktop.
- Send large files using Adobe SendNow, accessible from the Share pane. You can also easily post, share, and organize multiple files in one central location using Acrobat.com Workspaces.
You can also use the Send For Signature feature to get documents signed by others and track their status online using the Adobe EchoSign® online service.
- How do I download Adobe Reader without Adobe AIR®?
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If you require a download of Adobe Reader without the Adobe AIR runtime, visit the Reader distribution page.
- Can I create PDF files with Adobe Reader?
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Within Reader X you can access the Adobe CreatePDF service at Acrobat.com, which lets you convert up to five files for free and has monthly and annual plans available for purchase. You can also convert to PDF using Adobe Acrobat X.
- Can I use Reader X to add comments and highlights to a PDF file?
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Reader X is the first version of Reader that enables users to annotate PDF documents with Sticky Notes and Highlighter tools. In addition, PDF authors can enable further functionality in PDF documents using Adobe Acrobat or LiveCycle. Reader enabled PDF files allow people with Adobe Reader to fill out and save forms, participate in document reviews with the full set of comment and markup tools available in Acrobat, and sign PDF documents with digital signatures.
- Can I edit a PDF file using Adobe Reader?
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No. You cannot make permanent changes to PDF files using Adobe Reader. To edit PDF files, convert to PDF, send documents for review and comment, and add security features to PDF documents, purchase Adobe Acrobat software.
- Does Adobe Reader support digital signatures?
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Yes. You can use Adobe Reader to confidently sign, view, and verify the authenticity of PDF files. Sign any PDF document viewed in Reader yourself using your finger. You can also ask others to sign documents by using the Send For Signature feature to connect to the Adobe EchoSign online service, which tracks the signing process and lets you store your documents online. In addition, users of Acrobat and LiveCycle can create PDF files that enable Reader users to complete forms, save data, act on information, and engage in more secure transactions.
- Can I save an Adobe PDF form in Reader after I have filled it out?
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Yes, you can fill out and save forms, provided the form author has enabled the "local save" capability within Acrobat or LiveCycle Reader Extensions. However, if the local save capability has not been enabled, you will not be able to save your form data with Reader.
- What is Protected Mode?
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Protected Mode is new functionality in Reader X that opens PDF files within an isolated, sandboxed instance of the application. It protects your computer and data from malicious code that might be contained in a PDF file. Protected Mode is enabled by default and lets you securely interact with a fully functional, robust PDF.
- How can I control access to sensitive documents?
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Access rights and security settings for a PDF file cannot be set in Reader; however, they can be set in Acrobat and LiveCycle. Once they are set, authors can define who can open, view, print, copy, or modify a document. These capabilities help organizations protect the confidentiality of sensitive information.
In addition, Reader X features Protected Mode, which is a security mechanism that safeguards systems and data by opening files within an isolated, sandboxed instance of Reader X. Protected Mode is enabled by default.
- What operating systems does Reader X support?
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Adobe Reader supports multiple platforms, including Windows®, Mac OS, and mobile operating systems. For detailed information, see the tech specs page. Previous versions of Reader also support Linux and Solaris operating systems.
- Is Reader X available on mobile operating systems?
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Yes. For details, visit the Reader mobile app page.
- How can my organization sign up to redistribute Adobe Reader X?
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Many organizations worldwide leverage the power of Adobe Reader as an organizational standard for document exchange and electronic form submission processes. To enable everyone within an organization to participate, Adobe grants organizations the rights to redistribute Reader on their internal websites or via physical media such as CDs. Learn more about Adobe Reader distribution.
- What tools are available to deploy Adobe Reader in the enterprise?
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It is easy to deploy Adobe Reader in your organization. You can control deployments of Reader in the enterprise using a variety of tools, including the Adobe Customization Wizard, IBM Tivoli, Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM), Windows Group Policy Objects, or Active Directory. For more information about enterprise deployments, visit the IT resources page.
- What is Adobe Reader MUI?
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Adobe Reader MUI is Adobe's Multilingual User Interface version of Reader, which simplifies the process of installing different language versions of Reader. For organizations that operate across geographical boundaries, this feature can speed up deployment of any combination of supported languages. So, for example, you can install French, German, and Spanish simultaneously and then have the capability to switch among those languages within Adobe Reader. The user interface changes to the appropriate language on-the-fly.
Adobe online services are available only to users 13 and older and require an Internet connection and agreement to additional terms. Services are not available in all countries or languages. Fees or subscription charges may apply. Services may be discontinued without notice.
