Downloading and Installing Adobe Acrobat Reader (Mac)

Adobe Acrobat Reader is a free software that enables you to view and print PDFs. This document teaches you how to install Acrobat Reader on your computer.

Definitions:

PDF: Portable Document Format. A file that can be read by both PCs and Macs. PDF files retain their formatting so they look and print exactly as they were created.

Adobe: The company that created the PDF format.

Adobe Acrobat Reader: A free software that enables you to view and print PDFs.

Adobe Acrobat: Not to be confused with Acrobat Reader, this commercial software package allows you to create your own PDFs. Adobe Acrobat can convert a word processing or desktop publishing file into a PDF.

Before You Begin:
You will need to know whether your computer is a 68K or PowerPC (PPC).

Make sure you have software to uncompress the file you will download. If you have a newer Mac, StuffIt Expander is on there - don't worry about it. If you don't have uncompression software, you can get StuffIt Expander for free.

If you have an older web browser (version 3.x or below), it is recommended that you upgrade your browser before installing Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Download:
Follow the steps below to download Adobe Acrobat Reader.

1. Open your web browser and go to Adobe's download page.
2. Fill in the information requested and click "Download".
3. Wait until the download is complete before proceeding.
4. Result: StuffIt will automatically open the file you downloaded and the following two icons will appear on your desktop:
   
   
   Result: Your browser will take you to a page that says, "You are now downloading Adobe Acrobat Reader".

You will see a box that says, "Receiving FTP file, will open with StuffIt."

Install:
Follow the steps below to install Acrobat Reader.

1. Double-click on the icon "Reader Installer"

Result: The installation process will begin.

2. Follow the instructions on your screen carefully.

Result: Acrobat Reader will be installed in a folder on your hard drive called "Acrobat Reader 4.0"

If it Doesn't Work:
The references listed below provide solutions to some of the problems that can arise during download and installation.