Deploying Adobe Acrobat Reader X (Ver 10.0.1)

Here is a step by step guide for deploying Adobe Acrobat Reader X (10.0.1) in an enterprise environment.

Before you begin, you will need to request distribution rights for Adobe Acrobat Reader here:
http://www.adobe.com/products/reader/rdr_distribution1.html

You should receive download links within 24 hours to download the redistributable package. Unfortunately, the redist installer is an .exe file (AdbeRdr1001_en_US.exe) and we want a .msi file.

You can get the .msi file and .cab file by starting the AdbeRdr1001_en_US.exe installation on a test PC. The installation files will be extracted to the following path:

Windows XP
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Adobe\Setup\{AC76BA86-7AD7-1033-7B44-AA0000000001}

Windows 7
C:\ProgramData\Adobe\Setup\{AC76BA86-7AD7-1033-7B44-AA0000000001}

Copy all of the install files from the directory into your distribution repository and then create a Microsoft Group Policy to assign AcroRead.msi to your PCs. You will need all of the install files from the directory, not just the .msi file. (No you don’t technically need setup.exe)

The AcroRead.msi is ready to go for deployment without modification or building a transform file, but most admins will want to get rid of the EULA and the Auto Updates. Controlling these options is as simple as modifying two registry keys on the PCs. You can use many methods to update these registry keys. A very simple method would be to write a startup script and then add the script to the computer startup scripts via a Group Policy.

To get rid of the EULA, modify this registry key:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\10.0\AdobeViewer\EULA
It’s a DWORD and you want the value to be set to 1 (one) to stop the EULA from coming up on first run.

N.B. only perform the above within the Enterprise because the enterprise is held accountable for EULA. Many sites will require the EULA for individuals, so the above is optional - if in doubt leave the EULA in place.

To stop auto updates, modify this registry key:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Adobe\Adobe ARM\1.0\ARM\iCheck
It’s a DWORD and you want the value to be set to 0 (zero) to disable auto-updates

N.B. Only perform the above if you do have a central update policy.

This Article also appears on my blog at : http://itgeekspeak.wordpress.com/2011/03/25/deploying-adobe-acrobat-reader-x-ver-10-0-1/