Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library error opening PDF files

Anonymous
2009-12-23T22:48:56+00:00

I am on Windows Vista Home Premium.  I have a problem trying to open PDF files either on my hard drive or via IE.  The error message I get says: 

"Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library

Runtime Error!

Program: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 9.0\Reader\AcroRd32.exe

This application has requested the Runtime to terminate it in an unusual way.

Please contact the application's support team for more information."

I have uninstalled and reinstalled Adobe Reader 9.2 from the internet several times, but I am still get the error.  The PDF file will open, then this error box pops up, and I have to click OK which causes it to close the PDF.

HELP!

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Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Anonymous
2009-12-24T17:05:46+00:00

Hi,

This is known issue with Acrobat for several versions now, Adobe's current fix is just to update their software: http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/404/kb404597.html

The problem is with the application data being misdirected.

"The affected user has a redirected Application Data folder and as a result the network path containing the Application Data uses a UNC path that begins with \. This UNC path causes Acrobat 9.0 or Adobe Reader 9.0 to incorrectly parse the Application Data path and give the error message."

A potential Solution would be to go into the registry. Left Click type "regedit" and right click and run the program with "run as administrator". Go to Hkey_Current_User\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Explorer\User Shell Folders and make sure see where "AppData" is pointing. If it is pointing to "%UserProfile%/Application Data" change it to point to "%UserProfile%/AppData/Roaming".

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-10-17T21:33:54+00:00

    FYI all - I encountered this issue on a user's computer today where any time they tried to open a PDF they would get this visual C++ runtime error as mentioned in this thread.  The error was being caused by the AVG Internet Security Toolbar.  The user had a premium (paid for) version of AVG Security on their machine but by disabling the AVG toolbar in IE the trouble ceased.  An interesting thing about AVG is their toolbar will automatically RE-enable after a week, so this is not a permanent fix.  The permanent fix therefore is to remove the AVG toolbar altogether, which is accomplishable by going to add/remove programs and hitting "Change" on AVG and unchecking the toolbar.  The toolbar is not a required piece of software to have AVG, as is the case with so many browser toolbars, there is no adverse affect nor decrease in security by doing so.  Hope it helps those who have tried the other fixes and still can't get PDF's to open on the web.

    This fixed my original problem.  I have since delected AVG completely.

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-09-09T16:55:27+00:00

    GREAT INFO! Thanks ever so much for the simple and quick fix to a problem that's been driving me NUTS!

    Now to figure out how to get the message to AVG. Again,~ THANK YOU.

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-08-27T16:40:24+00:00

    I am on Windows Vista Home Premium.  I have a problem trying to open PDF files either on my hard drive or via IE.  The error message I get says: 

    "Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library

    Runtime Error!

    Program: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 9.0\Reader\AcroRd32.exe

    This application has requested the Runtime to terminate it in an unusual way.

    Please contact the application's support team for more information."

    I have uninstalled and reinstalled Adobe Reader 9.2 from the internet several times, but I am still get the error.  The PDF file will open, then this error box pops up, and I have to click OK which causes it to close the PDF.

    HELP!

    I had this problem. A lot of the solutions seemed to involve changing the registry, and fixes that you downloaded.

    A very simple thing sorted my problem. Here it is.

    Do you have an AVG toolbar?

    Disable it. You won't die without it.

    And with that (for me) the problem was fixed.

    Hope this helps someone out there.

    Andrew

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-08-25T14:59:45+00:00

    FYI all - I encountered this issue on a user's computer today where any time they tried to open a PDF they would get this visual C++ runtime error as mentioned in this thread.  The error was being caused by the AVG Internet Security Toolbar.  The user had a premium (paid for) version of AVG Security on their machine but by disabling the AVG toolbar in IE the trouble ceased.  An interesting thing about AVG is their toolbar will automatically RE-enable after a week, so this is not a permanent fix.  The permanent fix therefore is to remove the AVG toolbar altogether, which is accomplishable by going to add/remove programs and hitting "Change" on AVG and unchecking the toolbar.  The toolbar is not a required piece of software to have AVG, as is the case with so many browser toolbars, there is no adverse affect nor decrease in security by doing so.  Hope it helps those who have tried the other fixes and still can't get PDF's to open on the web.

    THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! A thousand times thank you!  I have been working on this forever.

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