Adobe Acrobat Reader 7.0 is installed on my computer, but the program will not let me open any PDF files. I have attempted to resolve the problem by updating Adobe Reader but I cannot remove the currently installed version through Add/Remove Programs. Can you help, as at the moment Adobe Reader is not useable?

I am unsure about exactly what you mean when you say that Adobe Reader does not open any PDF files. For example, does the application produce an error when you attempt to open PDF files or nothing happens when you double-click on PDF files? However, we can follow a procedure to narrow down the problem and determine what is happening to prevent the PDF files from opening, and work towards a resolution.

First, we should update Adobe Reader in case the problem is related to an issue with the old version of the software. At the time of writing the latest version of Adobe Reader was version 9. To download the latest version of Adobe Reader go to www.adobe.com and click the “Get Acrobat Reader” link. You mention in your question that you are unable to uninstall the current version of Adobe Reader on your computer. This should not be necessary, as the new version should overwrite and update the existing version installed. This means that if the current installation of Adobe Reader has missing files or is otherwise corrupted, preventing the software from being uninstalled, this should not present a barrier to upgrading since the new version can still install.

Once the new version has installed, check whether the problem which prevented you from opening PDF files has been resolved. Since you just installed a new version of Adobe Reader we can assume that all the Adobe Reader program files and settings are good. Therefore, if the problem continues then it is likely related to a configuration issue with the computer or conflict with another program. Dealing with potential configuration issues as a first step, we need to check whether you are able to manually open PDF files through Adobe Reader. Open Adobe Reader through the program shortcut on your “Start” > “All Programs”. Once Adobe Reader has opened, go to the “File” menu > “Open” and attempt to open a PDF file which is stored on your computer. Should the PDF file open and display correctly within Adobe Reader, it seems that Adobe Reader itself is capable of opening these files without any problem. Once you have confirmed this works, close Adobe Reader.

Next, open Windows Explorer or My Computer and find a PDF file on your computer. Double-click on the PDF file to open the file. If the file opens correctly then it seems the problem has been resolved as you can open PDF files directly from within Adobe Reader and can also open PDF files by double-clicking on the files. However, if the files do not open when double-clicked it seems that the problem may be related to file associations. In this situation, Windows may not realise that PDF files are suppose to open using Adobe Reader, and is either directing PDF files to open using another application (which does not support opening PDF files) or does not know which program should be used to open PDF files. In either case, we need to correct the association and re-associate PDF files with Adobe Reader. To do this, find a PDF file on your computer through Windows Explorer or My Computer then right-click on the file and select “Open With” (and if a sub-menu appears, click “Choose Program”). The Open With window will appear, listing all the registered programs on your computer. You should find Adobe Reader in this list of programs. Select Adobe Reader in the list of programs and tick the box “Always use the selected program to open this kind of file” and click OK. Now, PDF files will always open using Adobe Reader.

Should you continue to have problems with Adobe Reader which are not resolved with the instructions provided, then please contact me again with further details about the problem (such as exactly what happens when you attempt to open PDF files, which is preventing the files from opening correctly) and I will attempt to provide further advice.