Some eBooks provided by GCU come in a PDF format. In order to read PDF eBooks, you’ll first need to install Adobe Acrobat Reader DC. Instructions on how to download this software on Windows and Apple computers can be found below. If you do not have a Windows or Apple computer, you will not be able to install this software; see GCU Technical Requirements for details.
Please keep in mind that Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is only needed when trying to view eBooks that come in a PDF format. Most GCU eBooks are provided through a different format (BibliU), so we recommend checking out Getting Started with eBooks before proceeding.
Windows (PC)
To download Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, navigate to http://get.adobe.com/reader. Adobe's website should automatically determine which operating system you are using.
If you are re-directed to get2.adobe.com/reader after following the download link above, the images on the right will guide you through the download process.
Adobe may present you with a few Optional offers. We recommend clearing the check boxes before clicking the Download Acrobat Reader button.
If the operating system listed does not match you operating system or you are having problems with the current installation, you can select Do you have a different language or operating system? to display more results.
Select your operating system. If you do not know your operating system, you can find it within the system information in the Control Panel. For Windows, the operating system must be Windows XP (SP2 or SP3) or newer.
Select your preferred language.
Select the desired version of Adobe Reader. The options will change depending on the operating system selected. We recommend selecting Reader DC.
Once the proper options have been selected, click Download now or Download Acrobat Reader.
You should be directed to a page indicating that the installation is initializing.
Once the installer is downloaded, you should be directed to a page asking you to double-click on the installer file from your downloads folder. For more information about installing Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, please see the instructions below.
After the download is complete, you will need to open your Downloads folder and locate the Adobe Acrobat Reader DC Installer file, named readerdc_en_xa_cra_install.exe.
To proceed, double-click on the installer to begin the installation process. You must have Administrator privileges on the computer to successfully install the program.
When first launching the installer, you may see a security warning asking if you would like to run the file.
To proceed, select Run. You will then be presented with the Adobe Reader Installer window that will show the progress of the installation.
Once Adobe Acrobat Reader DC has been installed, place a check mark in Launch Adobe Acrobat Reader DC. Then, select Finish.
Once Adobe Acrobat Reader DC opens, you will receive a pop up asking you to make Adobe Acrobat Reader DC your default program. Select Yes.
Then, select Continue.
To the right of the Opens with section is the current default program, as well as a button to change the default application; click Change.
From the How do you want to open .pdf files from now on dialog box, select Adobe Acrobat Reader DC under the Other options section, and click OK.
Finally, select Apply to ensure the changes take effect and click on OK to close the window. Your PDF files will now open in Adobe Acrobat Reader DC.
You may come across this message when trying to open an eBook for the first time, or after updating your Adobe Acrobat Reader DC software.
This document requires global object security policy to be disabled.
After selecting OK, Adobe Acrobat Reader DC will display a message stating that the document will now close. You will not be able to open the eBook until this option is disabled.
To disable the Global object security policy, navigate to Preferences from the Edit menu or hold Ctrl and press K.
In the Preferences window, locate the JavaScript category from the navigation pane on the left and uncheck Enable global object security policy.
Apple (MAC)
To download Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, navigate to http://get.adobe.com/reader. Adobe's website should automatically determine which operating system you are using.
If you are running macOS Catalina and experiencing difficulties with the Reader, please review Adobe’s article on Known Issues for further guidance.
If Adobe presents you with an Optional offer, we recommend clearing the check box before clicking the Download Acrobat Reader button.
If the operating system listed does not match your operating system or you are having problems with the current installation, you can select Do you have a different language or operating system? to display more results.
Select an operating system. For Mac, the operating system must be Mac OS Intel 10.9 or newer in order to download Adobe Acrobat Reader DC. Select your preferred language. Select the desired version of Adobe Reader. The options will change depending on the operating system selected.
Once the proper options have been selected, click Download Acrobat Reader.
Once the installer is downloaded, you should be directed to a page asking you to double-click on the installer file from your downloads folder. For more information about installing Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, please see the instructions below.
After the download is complete, you will need open your Downloads folder and locate the installer (.dmg) file. On a Mac, the Downloads can be found in the Finder application (similar to Windows Explorer on a PC), on the far-right side of the Dock, or simply through your browser.
To proceed, double-click on the .dmg file (If you don't see the Safari Downloads window, you can choose Window > Downloads.) to begin the installation process. You must have Administrator privileges on the computer in order to successfully install the program.
You will see an Adobe Reader Installer window once the file has been accessed. Double-click AcroRdrDC to begin the installation process.
When first launching the installer, there will be an introduction slide discussing the install guide. From here you can select Continue.
The next prompt will show how much space the software will take up. The software will automatically install on your hard drive. You can change the location by selecting Customize; otherwise, you can select Install
The system may also ask for a password to allow the application to make changes to the computer; enter your computer’s username and password and select Install Software.
Select Close when the installation is complete.
You may be asked to move the installer to the Trash once the installation is completed. If so, you can click either Keep or Move to Trash, depending on your preference.
After opening Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, you will be asked to set it as the default app for opening PDF files. Select Yes.
You may come across this message when trying to open an eBook for the first time, or after updating your Adobe Acrobat Reader DC software.
After selecting OK, Adobe Acrobat Reader DC will display a message stating that the document will now close. You will not be able to open the eBook until this option is disabled.
To disable the Global object security policy, navigate to the Preferences menu from the Acrobat Reader menu found in the top-left corner of the Menu Bar.
In the Preferences window, locate the JavaScript category from the navigation pane on the left and uncheck Enable global object security policy.
Adobe Acrobat Reader DC Errors
Below are a few examples of errors that may occur when installing Adobe Acrobat Reader DC. For information about errors you may get after Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is installed, check out our Accessing PDF eBooks article.
Windows (PC) Errors
When installing Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, you may come across the following error message:
This can occur due to having a poor internet connection during the initial installation. If you do come across this error message, there is an alternative way to install the full Adobe Acrobat Reader DC program!
To download Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, navigate to http://get.adobe.com/reader/enterprise/. Next, you will be prompted with selecting your device's Operating System, Language, and Version. If you do not know your Operating System, please see Determining Your Operating System. Once the proper options have been selected, click Download now.
After the download is complete, you will need to open your Downloads folder and locate the Adobe Acrobat Reader DC Installer file, named AcroRdrDC1900820081_en_US.exe.
To proceed, select Run. You will then be presented with the Adobe Reader Installer window that will show the progress of the installation.
Once Adobe Acrobat Reader DC has been installed, select Finish.
When installing Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, there is a chance that you may encounter this error:
When you experience the “Newer version already installed” error, you may not be able to find any Adobe Acrobat Reader DC files in your downloads folder nor your control panel.
To best counter this error:
- Make sure all Adobe Acrobat Reader DC programs are uninstalled. You can use the AcroCleaner Tool
- Remove any Adobe Acrobat Reader DC files that are in your Recycling bin
- Make sure your operating system is up to date
Apple (MAC) Errors
When installing Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, you may come across the following error message:
This can occur due to having a poor internet connection during the initial installation. If you do come across this error message, there is an alternative way to install the full Adobe Acrobat Reader DC program!
To download Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, navigate to http://get.adobe.com/reader/enterprise/. Next, you will be prompted with selecting your device's Operating System, Language, and Version. If you do not know your Operating System, please see Determining Your Operating System. Once the proper options have been selected, click Download now.
Your program should automatically start downloading. This may take a few minutes depending on your internet speed and computer's hardware.
Once downloaded, a window pop-up may appear asking you to select the program to open the file with. Select the default program provided and click on Ok.
You will see an Adobe Reader Installer window once the file has been accessed. Double-click AcroRdrDC to begin the installation process.
There are a few steps before the installation begins; select Continue.
On the Important Information dialog-box, select Continue.
After, you will confirm the location for the software before installing. Select Install to begin installing.
Please note: you will need administrator privileges on your computer to install Adobe Acrobat Reader DC. Your administrator information is the username and password you use to unlock your computer.
After entering your administrator username and password, the installation will begin writing the files.
When the installation is complete, select Finish to complete the process.
When installing Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, there is a chance that you may encounter this error:
When you experience the “Newer version already installed” error, you may not be able to find any Adobe Acrobat Reader DC files in your downloads nor your applications folder.
To best counter this error:
- Make sure all Adobe Acrobat Reader DC programs are uninstalled. You can use the AcroCleaner Tool
- Remove any Adobe Acrobat Reader DC files that are in your trash
- Make sure your operating system is up to date. Refer to Apple’s support article to update the software on your Mac
Accessing your PDF
Now that Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is installed, you can access the book from your computer. For assistance with opening and logging into the book, check out the article Accessing Your PDFs.