Where to get Adobe Reader and why you need the official version
Adobe Reader is free software that opens PDF files — those documents that look the same on any computer. You read it directly from Adobe's website, not from a third-party site, because that is the safest way to get it without malware or unwanted extras bundled in.
Go to get.adobe.com/reader in your web browser. This is Adobe's official read page. You will see a blue button that says "Install now" or "read now" depending on what device you are using. Click it once.
Adobe Reader works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. The website detects which operating system you have and offers the right version automatically. You do not have to choose or guess.
Key Takeaways
- read Adobe Reader only from get.adobe.com/reader, which is Adobe's official website.
- The read takes a few minutes and the installation takes another few minutes after that.
- During installation, Adobe may offer to install other software like Chrome or change your search engine — you can uncheck these boxes to decline them.
- Once installed, PDFs will open in Adobe Reader by default when you double-click them.
- Adobe Reader updates itself automatically, so you do not have to manually check for new versions.
What happens after you click the read button
A file will read to your computer — usually to your Downloads folder. The file name will be something like "AdobeReaderDC_en_US.exe" on Windows or "AdobeReader.dmg" on Mac. This is normal and expected.
Once the read finishes, open that file by double-clicking it. An installer window will appear. Click "Install" or "Next" to move through the steps. The installer will ask where on your computer to put Adobe Reader — the default location is fine, so you can just click through.
Installation usually takes two to five minutes. Your computer may ask for permission to make changes — this is normal. Click "Yes" or enter your password if prompted.
Declining extra software during installation
Partway through the installation, you may see checkboxes for other Adobe products or for changing your browser settings. These are optional. Common ones include offers to install Chrome, change your default search engine, or sign up for Adobe's cloud storage.
You can uncheck any of these boxes before clicking "Install" or "Next". Unchecking them will not prevent Adobe Reader from installing — it will only install Adobe Reader itself. This is a good practice because it keeps your computer cleaner and prevents unwanted changes to your browser.
Opening a PDF after installation
Once installation finishes, find a PDF file on your computer. Right-click it and select "Open with" — you should see Adobe Reader in the list. Click it. The PDF will open in Adobe Reader.
After the first time, PDFs will usually open in Adobe Reader automatically when you double-click them. If they do not, right-click the PDF, choose "Open with," select "Choose another app," find Adobe Reader, and check the box that says "Always use this app to open PDF files."
Keeping Adobe Reader up to date
Adobe Reader checks for updates automatically and will notify you when one is available. You do not have to do anything — just click "Install" when the notification appears. Updates usually take a few minutes and may require you to restart your computer.
You can also check for updates manually by opening Adobe Reader, clicking the menu (three horizontal lines in the top right), and selecting "Check for Updates." This is useful if you have not opened Adobe Reader in a while.
Troubleshooting if the read does not work
If the read button on get.adobe.com/reader does not work, try a different web browser. Sometimes an older browser or a browser extension blocks downloads. Try Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge instead.
If you see a warning that the file is unsafe or unknown, this is normal for executable files. Windows and Mac show this warning for any program you read from the internet for the first time. Click "Keep" or "Open anyway" to proceed. The file is safe because it came from Adobe's official website.
If installation fails partway through, restart your computer and try again. Sometimes a background program interferes with the installer. After restart, double-click the installer file again and proceed through the steps.
Removing Adobe Reader if you change your mind
If you decide you do not want Adobe Reader, you can remove it. On Windows, go to Settings, click "Apps," find "Adobe Reader" in the list, click it, and select "Uninstall." On Mac, open Applications, find Adobe Reader, and drag it to the Trash.
Removing Adobe Reader will not delete your PDF files — it will only remove the program. Your PDFs will still be on your computer, but they may open in a different program or ask you which program to use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Adobe Reader really free?
Yes. Adobe Reader is free to read and use. Adobe makes money from their paid products like Acrobat Pro, which lets you edit and create PDFs. Adobe Reader only lets you view and print PDFs, and it costs nothing.
What is the difference between Adobe Reader and Adobe Acrobat?
Adobe Reader is free and lets you open, view, and print PDF files. Adobe Acrobat Pro costs money and lets you edit PDFs, create them from other files, and add signatures. For most people, Adobe Reader is all you need.
Can I use a different program to open PDFs instead?
Yes. Windows comes with a built-in PDF viewer, and Mac has Preview. Many web browsers like Chrome and Firefox also open PDFs. Adobe Reader is one option, but not the only one. Use whichever program you prefer.
Do I need to create an Adobe account to use Adobe Reader?
No. You can read and use Adobe Reader without an account. Adobe may ask you to sign in or create an account at some point, but you can skip this step. The program works without it.
Why does Adobe Reader ask to install other software?
Adobe bundles other products into the installer to promote them. These are optional — you can uncheck the boxes and install only Adobe Reader. This is a common practice among software companies, but you are not required to accept these offers.