Using Adobe Reader in a VDI environment

[spiceuser-i4ahx]

I want to use Adobe Reader on a non persistent virtual desktop. Every time I start a new session, I am presented with do you want to make Adobe reader the default application to open PDF files? The it starts up the tours etc. I have done some research on this and the process seems overly complicated to setup. I would need a different version of reader specifically for a vdi environment, I would also need to use the deployment took kit to create new setup file with transforms etc.

Is there an easier process available?

Thank you
Chris

[Jay-Updegrove]

No, as you state, it’s a non persistent VDI environment, so it’s a fresh start each time. If you’re not willing to setup the correct reader version then there’s not much that can be done. The group policy settings for Adobe just don’t cover it well enough, and while you might be able to script something, at that point you might as well use the deployment tool kit.

[Rod-IT]

@spiceuser-i4ahx

Is there an easier process available?

The above once complete should be saved to the users profile/registry. What are you using for profiles?

Is this Horizon View for non-persistent desktops?

Is so you have either UEM or Fslogix for profiles, the latter being the preferred.

[phildrew]

@spiceuser-i4ahx

Is there an easier process available?

No.

Adobe provides the tools to use to customize it’s installation. If don’t want to use them, you cannot customize the install to reflect the behaviour you want.

[adrian_ych]

You may need the Enterprise Adobe Acrobat Reader which you need to apply for the Free License to use for mass deployments and VDI setups.

It is like the very old version where there are fewer installation steps and less advertisements but cannot use cloud features.

Then install for the main Golden Image and set the preferences and associations. But do note that applications associations are always defaulted which is a limitation of Win10 & Win11, including re-instatement of the Win10 & win11 crapware.

For setting “default associations” like for VDI Linked-Clones, usually we either set GPOs but easier to set the XML (and import it as part of the VDI composer process).

Export or Import Default Application Associations

https://helpx.adobe.com/sg/acrobat/kb/acrobat-dc-downloads.html

[jagowu]

@spiceuser-i4ahx

Adobe reader the default application to open PDF files?

Assuming this is a domain, I would create a GPO that points to a fileassociations.xml file that has Adobe Reader associated with .pdf and apply the GPO to the OU that has the non-persistent Vms in it.