Adobe Acrobat DC is the default for pdf files - but it should be Adobe

Trying to set my pdf files to open with Adobe Acrobat but Adobe Acrobat DC is the only option. Adobe Acrobat DC is a paid version which I haven't paid for and many of its' functions don't work. That's OK - I don't want Acrobat DC anyways. However, I can't find it In the control panel so I can't delete it. Also, I installed Adobe Acrobat but can't find that in the control panel (Programs and Features) either. All my pdf files open with Acrobat DC which I can't use (all its' functions). I'm stymied.

Adobe Acrobat can be a bit like MS Office ... never install one version while another one is still installed. In the case of Adobe, I've seen instances where the system includes AAR (free) pre-installed unbeknownst to the user. Windows is completely confused (and so is Adobe for that matter) when a paid version is installed (and all the while MS Edge is continually trying to steal the default pdf focus off both versions of AA )

Use RevoUninstaller to remove BOTH versions of AA
Install and run RevoUninstaller
Options tab (along the top) > Uninstaller (LH column)
Untick Make a Restore Point before uninstall
Tick Checkmark all leftovers by default
Double click the desired program
Run the uninstallation process
DO NOT reboot even if prompted when completed
Select the Advanced button and then run the process to remove all leftover files/folders/registry entries left behind after a normal uninstall process.
Now do the reboot

Then, in tin-foil hat mode, run Geek Uninstaller (freeware - stand alone exe file, no installtion included) to make sure all traces/remnants of AA are gone.

Then re-install your desired version of AA,. making sure you select any custom options during the install and don't just click anything/everything.

Thanks! But the only version of Acrobat I have in Revo is Adobe Acrobat - not Adobe Acrobat DC. Also, I don't have an Options tab. My version of Revo is old - but it works. I didn't have it running when I installed Adobe Acrobat. What do I do now?

Back when running paid-for Adobe Acrobat 8 and Adobe Acrobat 9 [different computers] I could have the free Adobe Acrobat Reader also installed at the same time and, as mentioned, some programs would include the free Reader automatically, some of the Help files would be in .pdf format. For a period of time the free program was changed to Adobe Reader then Adobe went back to the original name. Internet Browsers such as Firefox and Edge are now including the ability to read the .pdf files. For most creating/editing I mostly use Lightning.

Nisko said:

Thanks! But the only version of Acrobat I have in Revo is Adobe Acrobat - not Adobe Acrobat DC. Also, I don't have an Options tab. My version of Revo is old - but it works. I didn't have it running when I installed Adobe Acrobat. What do I do now?

Do what I do - use Geek Uninstaller to uninstall Revo, then download and install the latest version of Revo

Then as per my post above

EDIT As per @Berton above, I suspect the free AA has come unsuspectingly as bloatware in some other program you've installed

Now I'm thouroughly confused. Should I just work with the free versions of Geek Uninstaller and Revo Uninstaller? I will only pay if it's worth it to me and, so far, Revo free has been all I need. I didn't know about Geek Uninstaller. Is it better than Revo? What is Lightning? I Googled it and what I found didn't apply to Acrobat. I have Edge as a backup browser. How do I get Acrobat to open in Edge (or Chrome which is my primary browser)? Thank you!!!!!

Lightning is a much-less-expensive PDF editing/creating program I got from Avanquest. I first got started with Adobe Acrobat over 20 years ago and the project I needed it for provided the money for it [as I recall it was over $400] and I just did a few upgrades that were cheaper.

Nisko said:

Now I'm thouroughly confused. Should I just work with the free versions of Geek Uninstaller and Revo Uninstaller? I will only pay if it's worth it to me and, so far, Revo free has been all I need. I didn't know about Geek Uninstaller. Is it better than Revo? What is Lightning? I Googled it and what I found didn't apply to Acrobat. I have Edge as a backup browser. How do I get Acrobat to open in Edge (or Chrome which is my primary browser)? Thank you!!!!!

Nothing to be confused about - your choice. Either continue using your out-of-date version (which now appears to be the paid version you now mention) or update to the free version (adequate enough). Geek Uninstaller (free version) is just a backup and just used in case Revo missed a program. I often run both (Revo first, the Geek) when uninstalling Windows bloatware.

Or don't use Revo or Geek, and just use the usual (incomplete) uninstall process and don't worry about the little bits and pieces of folders/files/registry entries left behind

Nisko said:

Thanks! But the only version of Acrobat I have in Revo is Adobe Acrobat - not Adobe Acrobat DC. Also, I don't have an Options tab. My version of Revo is old - but it works. I didn't have it running when I installed Adobe Acrobat. What do I do now?

The free version of Adobe Acrobat is Adobe Acrobat DC now.