Adobe_Updater.exe: What It Is & Why It's Running
Understanding the Adobe_Updater.exe Process
You may be exploring this article because you’ve observed the Adobe_Updater.exe process active within your task manager. Alternatively, you might be receiving notifications indicating the availability of a new update.
This piece is part of a continuing series dedicated to explaining various processes visible in Task Manager, such as dwm.exe, ctfmon.exe, mDNSResponder.exe, conhost.exe, rundll32.exe, and numerous others. Unfamiliar with these services? Further investigation is recommended!
Important Security Considerations
As the name suggests, this process is responsible for updating Adobe software.
Carefully consider the implications before removing or disabling this process. A significant portion of websites utilize Adobe Flash, and the PDF format is now a widely accepted standard for documents.
Regrettably, the popularity of these formats has led to the discovery of several critical security vulnerabilities in Flash and Reader over recent years. Maintaining protection requires consistent updates to these software packages. Relying solely on antivirus software and firewalls is insufficient.
If you still choose to disable these processes, subscribing to Adobe's Security Notification Service is advisable. This service will email you whenever a crucial security update is released, allowing for manual updates.
Removing Adobe_Updater.exe
If the tray icon is accessible, clicking it should display a dialog box. Select the "Preferences" button:
Within the preferences dialog, deselect the checkbox labeled "Automatically check for Adobe updates," and then click "OK" to close the dialog.
This action should halt the update checking process.
Addressing Adobe Updater When the Tray Icon is Hidden
In some instances, the tray icon may not be visible. I previously clicked "Cancel," preventing access to the preferences page through the standard method. Fortunately, the executable's directory could be located by enabling the "Command Line" field in Task Manager:
Navigate to the following path (64-bit users will find it within the x86 Program Files directory; the Updater5 directory may also require attention depending on your installed software):
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Updater6
Double-click the Adobe_Updater.exe file in this directory:
This will open a dialog box where you can click the "Preferences" link.
You can then deselect the same checkbox as described previously.
This should disable the Adobe Updater.
Disabling Update Checks Within Adobe Reader
Alternatively, you can disable update checking directly within Adobe Reader. This prevents Reader from checking for updates each time it launches, although the standard update checker will still operate.
Access the settings by navigating to Edit \ Preferences...
Deselect the "Check for updates" checkbox.
This will disable update checking. However, remember the security implications before proceeding. The most secure approach is to disable update checks upon application startup while leaving the primary process active.
Windows Processes |
||
Adobe_Updater.exe | AppleSyncNotifier.exe | ccc.exe | conhost.exe | csrss.exe | ctfmon.exe | dllhost.exe | dpupdchk.exe | dwm.exe | EasyAntiCheat.exe | iexplore.exe | jusched.exe | LockApp.exe | mDNSResponder.exe | Mobsync.exe | moe.exe | MsMpEng.exe | NisSrv.exe | rundll32.exe | sihost.exe | svchost.exe | SearchIndexer.exe | spoolsv.exe | shutdown.exe | wsappx | WmiPrvSE.exe | wlidsvc.exe | wlidsvcm.exe | wmpnscfg.exe | wmpnetwk.exe | winlogon.exe |
||
What Is This Process and Why Is It Running on My PC? |