Copy link to clipboard
Copied
Just got a new PC (with Windows 10). On my old PC I had Acrobat 9 Pro, which allowed me to merge PDFs into one file, which is essential to my work. I wrote to Adobe to find out how to switch my account and application to my new PC. The representative took me through the steps of downloading what I thought would be the equivalent program--now called Adobe Reader DC--but it turns out not to allow me to merge files. The representative would not help me figure pout what to do, other than send me to this forum. So how can I merge PDF files? Thanks. Jeffrey
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
Acrobat 9 is an old, unsupported version, and it's not compatible with Windows 10. You can try installing it, but it's likely there will be issues with it.
However, the rep. you talked to misinformed you (or you didn't understand them). Adobe Reader DC is certainly not an equivalent replacement for Adobe Acrobat 9. The free Reader can't create or edit PDF files (except for basic tasks like adding comments and filling in form fields), as you've seen. You would need to subscribe to (or purchase, although the former is recommended) Adobe Acrobat Standard/Pro DC to get those functionalities back.
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
As you found out, the free Adobe Reader cannot merge PDF files. Acrobat 9 is old, and no longer supported by Adobe, that's why they did not help you with your problem. What makes matters a bit more complicated is that Acrobat 9 is not supported on Windows 10. This does not necessarily mean that it will not run, but that it was never formally tested, which means that we just don't know how well it will (or will not) run.
What you can do is to dig out your old Acrobat 9 installation disk and then try to install that on Windows 10. This should work. If that is not an option, you can of course always get a license for the latest version of Adobe Acrobat DC. You only need "Standard" to merger PDF files.
Another option is to get a subscription for Adobe's PDF Pack online tools. These allow you to merge PDF files as well (just not as convenient and straight forward as with the desktop application). Take a look here: Online PDF converter, convert from web or Acrobat Reader | Adobe PDF Pack
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
Thanks for all that.So what is my current subscription for $25 that I had on my old PC for "Adobe Export PDF, Annual‎" get me? Did that pay for the essentially useless Adobe Reader I just installed? Jeffrey
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
The Adobe Export PDF subscription gives you access to a web-based service to convert PDF files to other formats.
You can use it here: https://cloud.acrobat.com/exportpdf
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
ExportPDF allows you to convert PDF files to Word or Excel file, and is part of the PDF Pack subscription.