Fixing default application to "Open With"

I used this option to change it to Edge and then used the checkbox Always use this app to open pdf files to set it to open with Acrobat. It worked this time and double-clicking on a pdf file launches Acrobat to open it.

Great- that sounds like progress!

As to installing Acrobat- well, I've never done that- you may need to (for example)
- repair your Acrobat installation if that option is available
- uninstall everything Acrobat-related with a 3rd party uninstaller e.g. Revo, Geek - so as to clean up leftover registry entries- a well-known trick here is to reinstall a badly uninstalled program , then uninstall it with the 3rd party uninstaller, then install only the Acrobat product you want.

Given the history, I'd personally prefer to try that.

Missing install file? Either download a new copy or you might find e.g. a msi file for Acrobat here:


This is what the Repair option (if available) relies on.. so try that first.

Repair: you might have that option (not available for all progs) e.g. here:


As to imaging- imaging is of partitions. I don't know how a bootcamp setup is structured.
If it uses partitions, you can image them. You will know better than I...

I suggest that you tell us when you identify a Registry entry you want to delete and tailored guidance for that item can then be provided.

Broadly-speaking, you'll
- Run RegEdit
- Select the Registry Key concerned.
- Right-click & export the Key in .reg format. [Don't be tempted by the existence of a .txt export option, it's useless.]
- Select the individual item with the Registry Key, if appropriate.
- Delete it.
But
- Some Keys have specific permissions hurdles to overcome and it'll be easier to check them on our computers then tell you how to cope with them.


All the best,
Denis

rmk9785e said:

Thank you. Which tool or tutorial would you recommend for deleting invalid registry entries?

No member here from what I've seen is going to recommend ANY registry cleaner. Does no good cleaning random leftover keys and a good chance of harm.

The only time you need to deal with leftover keys is when they impact you.
Example: leftover security program keys blocking a Windows upgrade.

How do you routinely reduce the number that otherwise inevitably builds up?

I routinely uninstall programs with a 3rd party uninstaller that runs the normal installer then a scan related to that program. I use Geek Uninstaller - Revo is popular.