Guide: Fix ‘Adobe Acrobat DC and Reader DC Missing Icon’ Issue
For months, I struggled with an Adobe Acrobat Reader DC installation that displayed a generic icon in the taskbar and Start menu instead of the program’s own logo.
I was frustrated by the missing icon in Acrobat Reader DC, despite the program still functioning properly. Repairing it did not solve the issue, so I searched for an alternate solution.
For years, Adobe Acrobat users have been plagued by a missing icon bug that has yet to be addressed by the company. Despite the issue affecting both Pro and Standard versions of Acrobat DC, Adobe has failed to provide a fix.
I was able to quickly restore the missing Adobe Acrobat DC or Acrobat Reader DC icon on my taskbar and Start menu by following a few simple steps. If the first method doesn’t work, try the second one for a successful fix.
1. Replace the Start menu item
Replacing the faulty Adobe Acrobat DC or Acrobat Reader DC Start menu item with a shortcut based on the program’s executable file can fix the missing icon issue.
Adobe Acrobat users should adjust their settings as needed to ensure the best experience. Both versions of the software require specific steps for optimal performance.
Remove the Adobe Acrobat DC or Acrobat Reader DC shortcut from your desktop and taskbar.
If shortcuts are not present on the desktop or taskbar, this step can be skipped.
Open File Explorer, paste this folder path into the address bar and hit Enter:
Delete the Adobe Acrobat DC or Acrobat Reader DC shortcut from the Start menu.
Open File Explorer and go to the folder where Adobe Acrobat is installed to complete Step 4.
Adobe Acrobat DC Pro and Standard offer users a comprehensive suite of tools for creating, editing, and managing PDF documents. With features such as document signing, password protection, and the ability to convert PDFs into other file formats, Acrobat DC provides users with an efficient way to work with digital documents.
Adobe Acrobat DC is now available for download in the Program Files (x86) folder.
Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is a program that allows users to view and interact with PDF documents.
Right-click the executable file for either Adobe Acrobat DC or Acrobat Reader DC, select ‘Send To’, and then click ‘Desktop’ to create a shortcut on your desktop.
If you’re unsure of a file’s type, enable the File name extensions option in the View tab to reveal its .EXE extension.
Go to the desktop, right-click on the Acrobat.exe or AcroRd32.exe shortcut and rename it.
Name the Adobe Acrobat DC shortcut as “Adobe Acrobat DC” and the AcroRd32 shortcut as “Acrobat Reader DC”.
Right-click the shortcut and select ‘Copy’ to duplicate it.
Open the File Explorer window from Step 2, right-click an empty area and select Paste to complete the process.
Click the “Continue” button to paste the shortcut, then exit the window.
Adobe Acrobat DC or Acrobat Reader DC can be launched from the desktop shortcut or Start menu.
Voila! The Adobe icon now appears correctly on the taskbar and in the Start menu.
2. Change the default .ICO app
If Photos app isn’t working for ICO files, users must switch the file association to Microsoft Paint. This requires navigating to the Windows 10 Settings app.
The Action Center can be opened to access All Settings.
Navigate to the Apps tile to continue.
Navigate to the Default apps tab, scroll down and select “Choose default apps by file type” to customize your computer’s default programs.
Change the default app for .ico files from Photos to Paint.
Close the Settings app and launch either Adobe Acrobat DC or Acrobat Reader DC to ensure the correct icon appears on the taskbar and in the Start menu.
The circus is in town
Adobe’s misconfiguration of file extensions for their shortcuts appears to be the cause of Windows 10 not displaying Acrobat DC and Reader DC icons correctly. Fortunately, there are two easy solutions to this problem.
Adobe Acrobat and Windows 10 updates may cause the above fixes to be undone, requiring users to address the issue again. Until Adobe resolves this problem, users must continually take steps to ensure their settings remain as desired.
Tired of straining your eyes while reading PDFs in the dark? Check out these four PDF readers that offer night mode, allowing you to read comfortably even in low light.
Fix ‘Adobe Acrobat DC and Reader DC Missing Icon’ Issue: benefits
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Final note
Having trouble with Adobe Acrobat DC or Reader DC? Our guide can help you fix the missing icon issue. Got questions? Reach out to us. Don’t forget to share the article with your friends!
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