Adobe Acrobat version history

Last updated

The following article is about Adobe Acrobat's version history.

Contents

Acrobat

Adobe Acrobat and Reader
VersionRelease dateNotesOSFeatures
1.015 June 1993

Acrobat Reader priced originally at $50 per user. [1]

DOS/Mac
2.0September 1994First version for Windows 3.1Windows, Mac, SunOS, Solaris, HP-UX, IRIX, AIX, OS/2
  • Acrobat Catalog, which creates searchable indexes for PDF files
  • Adobe also released the first Acrobat Plug-ins SDK; allowing third-party developers to create plug-in programs for the Acrobat Exchange application.
3.0November 1996First version compatible with Windows 95; last version to support Windows 3.1x and pre-Service Pack 3 Windows NT 4.0 Windows, Macintosh, SunOS, Solaris, HP-UX, IRIX, AIX, Digital UNIX, Linux, OS/2
4.0April 1999Last version to support Windows NT 3.51, Windows NT 4.0 Service Packs 3 and 4, and pre-OSR2 Windows 95 and Mac OS 7.1.2 - 8.5Windows, Macintosh, Solaris, HP-UX, IRIX, AIX, Linux
  • Support for PDF version 1.3
5.0May 2001Last version to support Windows 95 OSR2, Windows 98 First Edition, Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 5, pre-Service Pack 2 Windows 2000, Mac OS 8.6 and Mac OS 9.0.4 - 9.2.2.Windows, Macintosh, Solaris, HP-UX, AIX, Linux
  • Support for PDF version 1.4
6.0July 2003

Adobe Acrobat Reader was renamed to Adobe Reader.

Version 6 was criticized for its performance. The Acrobat 6 plug-ins for web browsers were also criticized for suffering from bad performance and potentially rendering one's web browser non-responsive. [2]

Last version to support Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 6, Windows 98 Second Edition, Windows Me, Windows 2000 Service Packs 2 and 3 and Windows XP RTM.

Windows, Macintosh, Linux, Solaris, HP-UX, AIX
  • Support for PDF version 1.5
7.028 December 2004 [3]

The first version to include a mandatory product activation.

Windows, Macintosh, Linux, Solaris, HP-UX, AIX

It included:

  • Support for PDF version 1.6
  • Support for Adobe Policy Server rights management
  • Support for embedded 3D object information from the .u3d Universal 3D format

Adobe Acrobat 7 Professional for Windows now includes Adobe LiveCycle Designer 7.0. Adobe Elements 7.0 was also released which was still only sold by volume licensing outlets but decreased the minimum licenses limit to 100 licenses. Finally, another edition of Adobe Acrobat, Acrobat 3D, was added to the set.

Adobe Acrobat 3D included all of the functionality of Acrobat Professional 7.0 as well as updated assistance for embedded 3D computer graphics, tools for capturing 3D content from OpenGL applications, and the Adobe Acrobat 3D Toolkit for converting CAD documents to PDF objects. Also included is a version of the capture tool for installation on Unix systems.

The last version to support Windows NT 4.0 Service Packs 6 and 6a, though with limited feature support.

8.03 November 2006 [3]

A later update 8.1 in June 2007 was released in order to be compatible with Microsoft Office 2007, Windows Vista, and 64-bit Windows operating systems. [4] Also during September 2007, Adobe Reader 8.1.1 released for Linux and Solaris (SPARC) users.

The Adobe Acrobat 8 set had a few changes. Acrobat 3D was now able to produce embedded PRC file format, a very compressed format for geometry and graphics which requires Reader 8.1 to display. It also supported Product Manufacturing Information and many different CAD formats.

Acrobat Connect Professional (formerly Macromedia Breeze) was also added to the set. It allowed scalable interactive web conferencing and multiple personal meeting rooms for everyone part of an enterprise.

The Mac OS X version of Adobe Acrobat Pro was improved significantly: Adobe Acrobat for Macintosh was made a Universal binary that operated on both PPC and Intel architectures.

8.x product support ended in November 2011. [5]

Windows, Macintosh, Linux, Solaris, HP-UX, AIX [6]
  • Support for PDF version 1.7
  • Acrobat 8 Elements, which was withdrawn before its expected release during mid-2007 [7]
  • Acrobat Connect (formerly Macromedia Breeze), a support application with online personal meeting rooms to collaborate in real time with as many as 15 participants
9.0June 2, 2008 [8] [9]

Adobe Acrobat 9.0 was released. Support for version 9 ended June 26, 2013, [10] with the last available update being 9.5.5. Adobe Acrobat 9.5.5 is the very last version, which can be installed on Unix-based system. Therefore 10 years after release Adobe Acrobat 9.5.5 is still used on modern and cutting-edge Systems. [11] [12] [13]

Adobe Reader 9 ends compatibility with Adobe Reader Extensions 5 and 6 which permit Adobe Reader client software to save changes to filled-in forms in PDFs. Adobe Reader Extensions 6.1 and newer are still usable. Legacy PDFs will still be viewable, however they will open with the warning "This document enables Reader capabilities that are no longer enabled in this Reader version." [14]

The Adobe Acrobat 9 set also omitted the multiple document interface. Previous versions of Adobe Acrobat activated multiple PDF files in the same window (except for version 8 where MDI was only an alternative option and the default mode SDI). Acrobat 9 however, only uses the single document interface scheme, wherein each PDF file is activated in an instance of Adobe Acrobat. [15] Adobe Acrobat 9 is the last version to support any Unix-based-system, Windows 2000 and PowerPC-based Macintosh PCs.

Windows, Macintosh, Linux, Solaris, HP-UX, AIX [16] [17] [18]
  • Support for PDF version 1.7
  • Support for Adobe extensions for PDF 1.7
  • The ability to create Acrobat forms was in Acrobat Standard, which was previously only available with Acrobat Professional 6, 7 and 8
  • Support for real-time collaboration on PDF files with synchronized document views and chat
  • Improved Web Capture for copying entire web pages or just some parts into PDF
  • Integration with Acrobat.com to enable storage and sharing of PDF files
  • Support for comparing and highlighting the differences between two versions of a PDF document
  • Support for playback of Flash Video or H.264 video in Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Reader
  • Support for conversion of a variety of[ which? ] video formats to Flash Video for playback inside PDF
  • Support for creating PDF maps by importing geospatial files that retain metadata and coordinates
  • Support for Optical character recognition (OCR) on PDF files using ClearScan. Adobe ClearScan technology creates and embeds custom Type1-CID fonts to match the visual appearance of a scanned document after optical character recognition. ClearScan uses these newly created custom fonts instead of system fonts or Type1-MM

The Adobe Acrobat 9 set includes a new program: Adobe Acrobat 9 Pro Extended for Microsoft Windows. This product includes Adobe Presenter as well as the features of Acrobat 3D.

10.0November 15, 2010 [19] [20]

Support by Adobe ended November 15, 2015. Version 10 introduced Protected Mode, a sandbox that employed features and techniques previously in use by Google Chrome and Microsoft Office 2010 to help mitigate or prevent potentially malicious content from affecting users' files or settings in Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7. [21] In Windows Vista and later versions, Protected Mode is implemented as a low integrity process to further restrict the sandbox, and User Interface Privilege Isolation is used to thwart keystroke logging processes that operate at a higher integrity level. [22]

Adobe Reader X is available for Windows, Mac OS, Android, and iOS. [23] [24] [25] [26] Compatibility with Linux was never planned, why Unix-Users are stuck with 9.5.5. [27]

Windows/Mac
11.0October 15, 2012 [28]

Support by Adobe ended October 15, 2017. The graphical user interface for desktop systems is carried over from version 10. Adobe Acrobat XI is available for Windows XP, Windows 7 and Windows 8. It is also available for Mac OS X Snow Leopard or later. [25] Adobe Acrobat XI is the final version of Adobe Acrobat to support Windows XP, Windows Vista (unofficially bypassing installation, version X is the last officially-supported version [29] ) and OS X versions 10.6-10.8.

Windows/Mac

Some new features include a completely redesigned PDF editing experience, exporting PDF files to Microsoft PowerPoint, touch-friendly capabilities for mobile devices, and integrated cloud services. LiveCycle Designer is no longer bundled (but remains a standalone product). Acrobat XI was released to the market on October 15, 2012.

DC (2015)April 6, 2015 [30]

Support by Adobe for Adobe Acrobat Classic 2015 and Acrobat Reader Classic 2015 ended April 7, 2020. [31] The UI in this version has changed dramatically since version XI. Adobe Acrobat DC is available for Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10 or later. It is also available for Mac OS X 10.9 or later. Beginning in this version, version numbers are now labeled by year of release, not by the number of the release. As such, this has version number "15" instead of "12". Also, Adobe Acrobat DC is split into two tracks, continuous and classic. The classic track has updates released quarterly and does not provide new features in updates, whereas the continuous track has updates issued more frequently with updates performed silently and automatically. [32]

Windows/Mac
  • Reader returns to the "Adobe Acrobat Reader" name.
  • There is a heavy focus on the Adobe Document Cloud feature. "DC" is now appended to the product name for both tracks (notwithstanding the classic track's default installation folder being Acrobat 2015 with only the continuous track's being Acrobat DC).
  • The multiple document interface is added back (with release 2015.009 of the continuous track), but with a tabbed interface instead of the original windowed interface. [33]
2017 Standard/Pro

DC (2017)

June 6, 2017

Based on Acrobat2017_MUI (06-06-17). [34] Acrobat Standard 2017 is not available on macOS.

"DC" branding denotes the "continuous track" (subscription-based release that receives regular feature updates). Year-number branding denotes the "classic track" (perpetual license release that only receives fixes).

Windows/Mac

System requirement: Windows 7 SP1 / macOS v10.12.

2020 Standard/Pro

DC (2020)

June 1, 2020

Based on Acrobat2020_MUI (01-06-20). [34] Acrobat Standard 2020 is not available on macOS.

"DC" branding denotes the "continuous track" (subscription-based release that receives regular feature updates). Year-number branding denotes the "classic track" (perpetual license release that only receives fixes).

Windows/Mac

System requirement: Windows 8 / macOS v10.13.

2021

Standard/Pro

  • As of this release, the 64-bit (x64) version of the software is being rolled out [35]
2022

Standard/Pro

October 11, 2022Windows/Mac
  • Both 32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x64) are available. [36]

It presents a compact UI experience, helps export PDF from Page Thumbnails, and provides readiness with macOS Ventura.

23.003Windows/Mac
...
24.002May 05, 2024This release is an optional update which contains enhancements around Gen AI features in Acrobat & ReaderRelease Notes [37]
24.003Oct 03, 2024They added AI image generation and editing with Adobe Express to all paid Acrobat versions.Windows/Web/Mobile
  • Generate images from texts.
  • Editing images

Reader Touch

1.0

Originally called Adobe Reader For Windows Tablets (Version 1.0) was released on the Microsoft Windows Store on the second week of December 2012, [38] based on the Adobe Reader Mobile engine found in the iOS, Android, Blackberry and Windows phone versions, is the first application written by Adobe Systems for the Windows 8/RT Metro Style interface. The current versions offers only basic PDF reading features, subsequent patches will bring more complex features to catch up with the more feature complete iOS and Android versions. Adobe Reader for Windows Tablets supports both ARM and Intel x86/x86_64 architectures and can be used both via touch and more classic keyboard+mouse combination. The main features are:

On February 1, 2013, Adobe Reader for Windows Tablet has been officially renamed to Adobe Reader Touch to tell Hybrid Desktop Windows 8 Users which version of Adobe Reader may have (Modern UI or Desktop Version). [39] Name change apart, the changes include:

1.1

Version 1.1 was released on April 11, 2013. The changes include:

1.2

Version 1.2 was released on June 27, 2013. This update adds:

1.3

3.1

Reader for Android

10.0

The first Android edition of Adobe Reader X was released to the Android Market (now Google Play Store) on November 18, 2010. [41] Main features include:

10.1

Version 10.1 was released on October 9, 2011 with added support for Android Tablets, [42] The new features include:

10.5

Version 10.5 was released on the Google Play Store the 6 March 2013, [43] this major update brings many new features and improvements to Reader For Android:

11.1

11.2

Reader for iOS

10.1

On October 9, 2011, Adobe Systems Inc. released a port of Adobe Reader X (10.1) for the Apple iOS devices, featuring an optimized UI for both for the iPhone/iPod Touch and the iPad. [44] The iOS port was at feature parity with the Android version 10.1, the main features are:

10.5

Version 10.5 was released on the Apple Store the 9 March 2013, [45] this major update brings many new features and improvements to Reader For iOS:

10.6

11

11.2

15.0.0

Adobe Reader is now Adobe Acrobat DC. Version 15.0.0 was released on April 7, 2015, supporting iOS 8.0 and above. [46] The new features include:

15.0.1

Version 15.0.1 was released on April 18, 2015, supporting iOS 8.0 and above. [47] The new features include:

15.0.2

Version 15.0.2 was released on April 24, 2015, supporting iOS 8.0 and above. The new features include:

15.2

Version 15.2 was released on November 13, 2015, supporting iOS 8.0 and above. The new features include:

15.3

Version 15.3 was released on January 5, 2016, supporting iOS 8.0 and above. The new features include:

15.4

Version 15.4 was released on January 23, 2016, supporting iOS 8.0 and above. [48] The new features include:

16.02.23

Version 16.02.23 was released on February 17, 2016, supporting iOS 8.0 and above. [49] The new features include:

16.03.15

Version 16.03.15 was released on March 10, 2016, supporting iOS 8.0 and above. Features include: [50]

16.04.05

Version 16.04.05 was released on March 30, 2016, supporting iOS 8.0 and above. Features include:

16.05.17

Version 16.05.17 was released on May 4, 2016, supporting iOS 8.0 and above. [51] The new features include:

16.06.28

Version 16.06.28 was released on June 16, 2016, supporting iOS 9.0 and above. The new features include:

16.08.09

Version 16.08.09 was released on August 9, 2016, supporting iOS 9.0 and above. The new features include:

16.09.20

Version 16.09.20 was released on September 16, 2016, supporting iOS 9.0 and above. The new features include:

16.11.01

Version 16.11.01 was released on October 26, 2016, supporting iOS 9.0 and above. [52] The new features include:

16.11.22

Version 16.11.22 was released on November 17, 2016, supporting iOS 9.0 and above. [53] The new features include:

16.12.13

Version 16.12.13 was published on December 7, 2016, supporting iOS 9.0 and above. [53] The new features include:

20.013.20074

Adobe Acrobat Pro DC Version 21.007.20099 is the most current version for free download as of 21 Dec 2021.

22.003.20314

Adobe Acrobat Pro DC Version 22.003.20314 is the most current version as of Jan 24, 2023.

References

  1. ↑ "Driving Adobe: Co-founder Charles Geschke on Challenges, Change and Values". Knowledge at Wharton. 2008-09-03. Archived from the original on 2025-01-25. Retrieved 2025-04-10.
  2. ↑ Sherman, Chris (10 January 2005). "Speeding Up Acrobat Reader". SearchEngineWatch.com. Incisive Interactive Marketing LLC. Archived from the original on 21 December 2010. Retrieved 11 February 2011.
  3. 1 2 "Products and technical support periods". helpx.adobe.com. Retrieved 2018-10-21.
  4. ↑ "View Document". Adobe Support. Adobe Systems. 14 July 2009. Retrieved 4 December 2010.
  5. ↑ "Products and technical support periods". www.adobe.com. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
  6. ↑ "Adobe Reader Unix 8.x" . Retrieved 2023-08-17.
  7. ↑ Adobe – Acrobat 7 Elements : FAQ Archived June 14, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  8. ↑ "Press Room". Adobe Systems. 14 July 2009. Archived from the original on 2011-05-11. Retrieved 4 December 2010.
  9. ↑ "Acrobat family: Product comparison". Adobe Systems. 14 July 2009. Retrieved 4 December 2010.
  10. ↑ One Year from Now: Adobe Reader and Acrobat 9 EOL. Archived 2015-02-20 at the Wayback Machine Adobe Reader Blog.
  11. ↑ "How to Install Adobe Reader 9.5.5 in Ubuntu 22.04 | 20.04 | UbuntuHandbook". ubuntuhandbook.org. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
  12. ↑ Ikram, Azeefa (2022-11-02). "How to Install Adobe Acrobat Reader on Ubuntu 22.04". Linux Genie. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
  13. ↑ Acrobat Reader 9.5.5 for Linux, Flathub, 2023-08-06, retrieved 2023-08-17
  14. ↑ Adobe LiveCycle Reader Extensions ES Update 1 Upgrade Center, see 'Previous generations' tab for information on the missing support
  15. ↑ "MDI vs. SDI in Acrobat – Shredding The Document". Adobe Systems. 11 September 2008. Archived from the original on 20 August 2011. Retrieved 16 June 2010.
  16. ↑ "Adobe Reader für UNIX 9.5.5" . Retrieved 2021-03-22.
  17. ↑ "How to install Adobe Acrobat Reader in Ubuntu and Linux Mint | FOSS Linux". fosslinux. 14 March 2017. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
  18. ↑ "How to Install Adobe Acrobat Reader on Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa Linux - LinuxConfig.org". 12 December 2019. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
  19. ↑ "Announcing Adobe Reader X". Adobe Reader Blog. Adobe Systems. 18 October 2010. Archived from the original on 5 December 2010. Retrieved 5 December 2010.
  20. ↑ "Acrobat X and Adobe Reader X Release Notes" (PDF). Adobe Support. Adobe Systems. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 5, 2010. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
  21. ↑ Arkin, Brad (July 20, 2010). "Introducing Adobe Reader Protected Mode". Security @ Adobe. Adobe Systems . Retrieved February 13, 2017.
  22. ↑ "Inside Adobe Reader Protected Mode – Part 2 – The Sandbox Process". Security @ Adobe. Adobe Systems . Retrieved February 13, 2017.
  23. ↑ "Adobe Reader Download - All Versions". Adobe. Archived from the original on 30 April 2011. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
  24. ↑ "Now Available: Adobe Reader X for Android". Adobe. Archived from the original on 22 November 2010. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
  25. 1 2 "Adobe Reader X Tech specs". Adobe. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
  26. ↑ "Release Notes: Adobe Reader X for Android". Adobe. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
  27. ↑ "Post by Adobe employee Atanu Dhar on the Adobe Reader X UNIX forum". Adobe. Archived from the original on 15 September 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  28. ↑ "Acrobat Help / Release Notes: Acrobat, Reader". Adobe.com. 15 October 2012. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  29. ↑ "Adobe Reader XI (11.0.10) Update options and Firefox". Adobe Official Forum. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  30. ↑ "Acrobat Help / Release Notes: Acrobat, Reader". Adobe.com. 6 April 2015. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  31. ↑ "End of support for Adobe Acrobat Classic 2015 and Acrobat Reader Classic 2015".
  32. ↑ "Document Cloud Product Tracks — Enterprise Administration Guide". www.adobe.com. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
  33. ↑ "What's new in Adobe Acrobat DC". 26 November 2015. Archived from the original on 26 November 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
  34. 1 2 "Release Notes | Adobe Acrobat, Reader". helpx.adobe.com. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  35. ↑ "Acrobat Reader-migrering til 64-bit".
  36. ↑ "22.003.20258 Planned update, Oct 11, 2022 — Acrobat-Acrobat Reader Release Notes". www.adobe.com. Retrieved 2022-11-16.
  37. ↑ "24.002.20736 Optional update, May 05, 2024 — Acrobat-Acrobat Reader Release Notes". www.adobe.com. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  38. ↑ "Adobe Reader for Windows 8 Tablets". Adobe Reader Mobile Blogs. Adobe Systems. 13 December 2012. Archived from the original on 18 December 2012. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
  39. ↑ "Adobe Reader Touch for Windows 8 Update Released". Adobe Reader Mobile Blogs. Adobe Systems. 1 February 2012. Archived from the original on 8 February 2013. Retrieved 4 February 2012.
  40. ↑ "End of life / Adobe Reader Touch 2016".
  41. ↑ "Adobe Reader X For Android". Adobe Reader Mobile Blogs. Adobe Systems. 18 November 2010. Archived from the original on 22 November 2010. Retrieved 7 March 2013.
  42. ↑ "Adobe Reader X For Android". Adobe Reader Mobile Blogs. Adobe Systems. 9 October 2011. Archived from the original on 10 May 2013. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
  43. ↑ "Reader Mobile Update". Adobe Reader Mobile Blogs. Adobe Systems. 6 March 2013. Archived from the original on 9 March 2013. Retrieved 7 March 2013.
  44. ↑ "Adobe Reader X For iOS". Adobe Reader Mobile Blogs. Adobe Systems. 9 October 2011. Archived from the original on 10 May 2013. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
  45. ↑ "Reader Mobile Update". Adobe Reader Mobile Blogs. Adobe Systems. 6 March 2013. Archived from the original on 9 March 2013. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
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  48. ↑ "Adobe Acrobat Reader on the App Store". iTunes . 26 January 2016. Archived from the original on 26 January 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
  49. ↑ "Adobe Acrobat Reader on the App Store". iTunes . 5 March 2016. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
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  51. ↑ "Adobe Acrobat Reader - View, Annotate & Share PDFs on the App Store". iTunes . 9 May 2016. Archived from the original on 9 May 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
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  53. 1 2 "Adobe Acrobat Reader: Annotate, Scan, & Send PDFs on the App Store". iTunes . 18 December 2016. Archived from the original on 18 December 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
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