Time to uninstall Acrobat Reader and use Foxit

Acrobat Reader is big, complex, and cumbersome, plus it has its share of security problems.  Because of all the features, it loads slowly.

Adding insult, Adobe Reader keeps trying to install McAfee's advertising program "McAfee Security Scan plus", which I consider to be malware (see Keyliner article: http://keyliner.blogspot.com/2012/06/aggressive-mcafee-security-scan-plus.html).  Because of this, I never allowed the program to update automatically.

These are all good reasons to replace Adobe Reader with a simpler program, "Foxit Reader".

Related:
Keyliner Article: Time to remove Adobe Flash

It is time to replace it.  Here is what I did:

1.  Using the Control Panel's "Programs and Features", uninstall Adobe Acrobat Reader or Adobe Acrobat Reader DC.

optionally, use this recommended de-installer from Adobe.com.  Be sure to pick the correct version.  As of 2015.07, you probably want version "10.x and later"

http://labs.adobe.com/downloads/acrobatcleaner.html


2.  Download and install the Foxit Reader:

https://www.foxitsoftware.com/products/pdf-reader

Foxit can be downloaded and installed without registering.  The program is free.

When Installing, I recommend these options:

[  ] Shell Extensions (do not select)
[  ] Foxit Reader Creator (or possibly the Word Plugin, if you don't mind the overhead and use Word)
     [  ] Windows Shell Extension
     [  ] Word Plugin  (or [x])
     [  ] PPT Plugin
     [  ] Excel Plugin
[x] Plugin used to open PDF files inside the browser  (recommended)
[x] Foxit Spell Check Language

Additional:
[  ] Create Desktop Icon  (you don't need the clutter)
[  ] Add icon to the Start Menu [x] or optionally check
[  ] Create Quick Launch Icon (you don't need the clutter)
[x] Set Foxit as the Default PDF Viewer
[x] Show PDF files in Browser

[x] Enable Safe Reading (Trust Manager)

(x) Don't install a free 30-day trial of Foxit PhantomPDF Standard  (shame this option is not default)


As an aside, Adobe released the PDF format to the public domain and there are many other players in the PDF market.  I have been very comfortable with this change.  I have been very pleased with the load times and have not problems with reading PDF's.

Related Articles:
Unsavory copies of Foxit from Scamming Sites: 
http://keyliner.blogspot.com/2015/09/yahoo-is-swindler.html