Adobe Reader and Windows 7

[#1]

I did something the other day (I cannot for the life of me remember what) that ended by it loading GOM and did funny things with Adobe Reader (Free). When I discovered this, I tried uninstalling GOM and Adobe, but when I tried downloading Adobe from the web (I do use it occasionally), it turns out the latest version is for Win 10 and 11. My OS is Win 7 - my pc wont work with Win 10

Does anyone know how I can get an older version of Adobe Reader that will work with Win 7, please?

Thanks for any help

PS Just in case there is a link, I'm also having problems with Garmin too. The "In Focus" page (I think that is what it is called) seems to have expanded to the left (it's like the right hand side is fixed in the correct place but the view has expanded everything to the left under the 'Contents' column). If I put the cursor on the Contents column, the Contents column is black and only shows symbols and arrows - there are labels such as Activities but they are difficult to read and don't do anything if I click on them. If I put the cursor on 'In Focus' page instead, most of the Contents column goes white and the labels are easy to read, but trying to click on one of the labels causes the Contents column to go black.

I have contacted Garmin Support, but so far no response - I'm not complaining, it's only been since Saturday. I have the Garmin exe file that will work with Win 7 so I assume I could uninstall Garmin and re-install, but would that delete all the records of my runs for the last 4 years?

Once again, thankyou

[#2]

@penneck  I did a google search for   " win7 version of adobe reader"... here is the AI result.

The latest version of Adobe Reader compatible with Windows 7 is Adobe Acrobat Reader DC 18.011.20063. However, it's important to note that official support for Windows OS lower than Windows 7 SP1 was dropped with later versions of Adobe Acrobat Reader DC (specifically, version 19.008.20071). If you're looking for an older version, Adobe recommends Adobe Reader XI. 

Have a look at SMPLAYER... instead of GOM player... it is very good and when you go to your music video folder.. you can "enqueue with smplayer".. and so make up a "play list" while you are playing your first vid...  very useful, so you do not have to have the "same old..... " playlist you had last time..    because your music mood changes every time you want to   use it, .. 

[#3]

I've just copied and pasted the Adobe file you listed into Google, and then I get stuck. The problem is although Google comes up with answers, trying to get answer do I go for. The best one seems to be an Adobe website where it talks about "Out Of Cycle Update". That brings up 3 msp files(?). Do I go for the Acrobat or one of the two Readers? The Acrobat and one of the Reader files are "DC Base", the other Reader file is "DC Base MUI", whatever they mean.

Sorry to seem thick, but how do I know I've found what I need to download? How do I install it? Should I do a search on my pc first for anything that mentions Adobe, and delete those files before I install whatever I have found on the web?

[#4]

@shutter  Sorry. I've just sent a reply to you but forgot to put the direction to you

Graham

[#5]

 @penneck   if you have it set up........ ?????    you could try a "system restore"  and go back a few days    before you did what you did.. and maybe it will sort itself ou t !.  

[#6]

@shutter  I haven't done a backup for a long time. The only Restore Point I have is dated in 2020, and when I investigate it includes several things I understand the Restore will delete, so I could be in a worse state than now.

Graham

[#7]

@penneck   YUP !     If you went back to then you will lose everything between then and now... so leave  well alone !

[#8]

@penneck 

What is it that you need Acrobat Reader for? If it's just to open and view pdf files, you might be able to find an alternative program (with a version still available for W7).

[#9]

Hello @RPMozley . Yes, funny that you wrote that. About half an hour ago, I tried clicking on a pdf file to see what would happen, and it opened up. I think it is using Edge - that is based on the fact that it put a warning that Edge wouldn't get updates because I am using Win 7. As a result I had come to the conclusion that I don't need Adobe Reader any more.

The question now is "can I delete all files that mention Adobe in their names?"

[#10]

The "Adobe" files, well it depends on where they are located.

If they are in "programs" or "program files" and you don't have any other of their programs, I would think it safe to delete these.

Anything stored in "User Data" is probably better to keep, as these will simply be saved preferences (which you may want to use again if you install Acrobat again for a specific reason)(also the files will be quite small in size).

[#11]

@RPMozley  & @shutter 

It seems whatever happened on my pc last Friday, it seems Adobe isn't the only thing that was adversely affected. I also have problems with Garmin Connect and Spybot S&D, neither of which I seem to be able to fix.

Garmin:-  the Contents column has a list of things in it. The list only shows a symbol, and some have a downward pointing arrow. The items on that list have identities but they don't show up all that well. Also, the items on that list aren't selectable. I have tried uninstalling and reinstalling the garmin software, but that didn't have any effect. I have got Garmin Support involved, and hopefully they can come up with a solution, but if you can suggest anything, please do.

Spybot:- I have run Malwarebytes and Microsoft Security Essentials (yes I know MSE isn't supported now, but it should still work). They don't find any problems, but Spybot S&D comes up with Win32.Downloader.gen, but if I ask Spybot to deal with this problem, it comes up with another problem. I have attached a screen print of Spybot at this point. I've absolutely no idea why Spybot cannot deal with this or what to do from here. Any suggestions?

Many thanks

Graham

[#12]

Have you got a screenshot of the Garmin one too or has it got some personal info on it you don’t want to share with the whole internet?

For SpyBot what shows up after you click on the plus next to win32.Downloader.gen? It should give more details about it. I suspect it’s some installer you’ve downloaded that’s got adware in it.
That particular category is quite generic and probably would be under PUP (potentially unwanted programs) in other AV software.

[#13]

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@penneck wrote:

Spybot:- I have run Malwarebytes and Microsoft Security Essentials (yes I know MSE isn't supported now, but it should still work).

---

@penneck 

For MSE updates, download correct file for your system from the link below and run manually.

Microsoft Security Essentials Updates

[#14]

@penneck 

It's now over 5 years since support for Win 7 ended. Maybe it'e time to either get a newer machine or move to Linux?

[#15]

@Baldrick1  Where's your sense of adventure ?