10.x products introduce cumulative updates, so it's never necessary to install more than two updates to get to the latest version. Mac OS updates are a.PKG installer contained in a.DMG. Acrobat and Reader updates are a.PKG installer contained in a.DMG. For the English version of Reader, a full.
These preferences control how the Updater works for the Acrobat family of products 9.2 and 8.1.7 and later. Earlier product versions used the Adobe Update Manager (AUM).
Download Adobe For Mac
This preference category contains the following subfeature(s):
Updater (basic settings)
These settings disable the Updater and set the update mode for Acrobat.
Summary table
bUpdater
Disables and locks the Updater and removes associated user interface items.
UpdateMode
Specifies whether to check for updates on startup and at a regular interval.
Data type
0 (bool)
Default
1
Version #
10.1.1+
Lock Path
Library/Preferences/com.adobe.Acrobat.Pro.plist
Summary
Disables and locks the Updater and removes associated user interface items.
Details
Manually create this key at the root of the file to override UpdateMode. A value of 1 does nothing. Possible values include:
0: Disable and lock the Updater.
1: No effect.
GUI mapping
Disabling the Updater removes these UI items: Preferences > Updater; Help > Check for Updates
Specifies whether to check for updates on startup and at a regular interval.
Details
Acrobat only. This is the default preference for controlling updates. To override it, create bUpdater. For DC and later products, this new preference replaces those used in previous releases. Possible values include:
0: Don't check for updates.
3: Automatically download and install updates.
This feature lockdown file is not shipped with the product. Admins create and deploy this file to override product defaults. For configuration and deployment details, refer to the Enterprise Administration Guide.
GUI mapping
N/A
Updater logging
Summary table
AcroPatchLogLevel
Configures logging to provide debugging output.
LogLevel
For DC products, sets the log level to either brief (0) or verbose (1).
LogLevel
For 11.x and earlier products, sets the log level to either brief (0) or verbose (1).
Data type
1 (int)
Default
0
Version #
DC
User Path
com.adobe.ARMDC.plist and com.adobe.ARMDCHelper.plist
Lock Path
Not lockable
Summary
For DC products, sets the log level to either brief (0) or verbose (1).
Details
The log file is a file generated and appended to at runtime with status, operational, and error information describing what the Updater is doing. This information helps diagnose runtime problems and should be included with any support requests. Logging behaves as follows:
Logging cannot be disabled.
Logs reside at ${HOME}/Library/Logs/Adobe/.
Log files are Acrobat Update Helper DC.log and Acrobat Update DC.log.
Log file size is not limited during an update.
Log files are appended to each time the Updater runs. If an existing log is bigger than 1 MB, the logs contents is moved to a file marked as 'old'. For example, Acrobat Update DC-old.log.
Set the log level as follows:
0: Brief
1: Verbose
GUI mapping
N/A
Data type
1 (int)
Default
0
Version #
9.2-11.x
User Path
com.adobe.ARM.plist
Lock Path
Not lockable
Summary
For 11.x and earlier products, sets the log level to either brief (0) or verbose (1).
Details
The log file is a file generated and appended to at runtime with status, operational, and error information describing what the Updater is doing. This information helps diagnose runtime problems and should be included with any support requests. Logging behaves as follows:
Logging cannot be disabled.
Logs reside at ${HOME}/Library/Logs/Adobe/{application name}
The log file is Updater.log.
Log file size is not limited during an update.
Log files are appended to each time the Updater runs. If an existing log is bigger than 1 MB, the Updater truncates the log. There is a 1MB limit on old logs.
Old log files are backed up once as Adobe Acrobat/Reader Updater-old.log and overwrites any existing old.log. There should never be more than two logs on the system.
Set the log level as follows:
0: Brief
1: Verbose
GUI mapping
N/A
Data type
4 (string)
Default
debug
Version #
10.0+
User Path
com.adobe.acrobat.InstallerOverrides.plist
Lock Path
Not lockable
Summary
Configures logging to provide debugging output.
Details
Manually create this key to get more information about command line installations. The value should be set to 'debug'
GUI mapping
N/A
Update Adobe Acrobat X Pro Mac
Updater (other settings)
Summary table
CheckForUpdatesAtStartup
Specifies whether to check for updates on startup.
CheckForUpdatesModeAtStartup
Specifies whether to check for update mode on startup.
LastCheck-{hash of app location}
Records the last time the Updater checked for updates.
noServerContactDays
Sets the time that can elapse without a successful update before the Watchdog dialog appears suggesting the user manually update.
Data type
1 (int)
Default
135
Version #
10.0+
User Path
AdobeARMOverrides.plist
Lock Path
Not lockable
Summary
Sets the time that can elapse without a successful update before the Watchdog dialog appears suggesting the user manually update.
Details
When the Updater successfully obtains a manifest it records the download date. The noServerContactDays preference specifies the time interval that is allowed to pass from that download date to a a successful update. The default is 135 days. If thetime has elapsed, a dialog appears suggesting the user might want to manually get an update from adobe.com. In DC products, this value is hard coded and cannot be changed.
GUI mapping
N/A
Data type
1 (int)
Default
null
Version #
9.2+
User Path
com.adobe.ARM.plist
Lock Path
Not lockable
Summary
Records the last time the Updater checked for updates.
Details
Not user modifiable. By default, the Updater checks for updates every 3 days. When invoked, it reads and uses the value in this key. If more than 3 days have elapsed, it checks for updates against the server value. The 3 day default can be overridden by the StartInterval key.
GUI mapping
N/A
Data type
0 (bool)
Default
1
Version #
8.0-9.x
User Path
AVGeneral
Lock Path
Not lockable
Summary
Specifies whether to check for updates on startup.
Details
This per user setting was used by the Adobe Update Manager and is now used by the new Updater. Possible values include:
0: Don't check for updates.
1: Check for updates.
GUI mapping
Preferences > Updater
Data type
1 (int)
Default
1
Version #
10.0-11.x
User Path
AVGeneral
Lock Path
Not lockable
Summary
Specifies whether to check for update mode on startup.
Details
This per user setting was used by the Adobe Update Manager and is now used by the new Updater. Possible values include:
0: Don't check for updates.
1: Check for updates.
4: (11.0 and later) Notify the user downloads are available but do not download them.
GUI mapping
Preferences > Updater
Copyright 2012-2018 Adobe Inc.
Updater-Mac (Macintosh Updates)
These preferences control how the Updater works for the Acrobat family of products 9.2 and 8.1.7 and later. Earlier product versions used the Adobe Update Manager (AUM).
This preference category contains the following subfeature(s):
Updater (basic settings)
These settings disable the Updater and set the update mode for Acrobat.
Summary table
bUpdater
Disables and locks the Updater and removes associated user interface items.
UpdateMode
Specifies whether to check for updates on startup and at a regular interval.
Data type
0 (bool)
Default
1
Version #
10.1.1+
Lock Path
Library/Preferences/com.adobe.Acrobat.Pro.plist
Summary
Disables and locks the Updater and removes associated user interface items.
Details
Manually create this key at the root of the file to override UpdateMode. A value of 1 does nothing. Possible values include:
0: Disable and lock the Updater.
1: No effect.
GUI mapping
Disabling the Updater removes these UI items: Preferences > Updater; Help > Check for Updates
Specifies whether to check for updates on startup and at a regular interval.
Details
Acrobat only. This is the default preference for controlling updates. To override it, create bUpdater. For DC and later products, this new preference replaces those used in previous releases. Possible values include:
0: Don't check for updates.
3: Automatically download and install updates.
This feature lockdown file is not shipped with the product. Admins create and deploy this file to override product defaults. For configuration and deployment details, refer to the Enterprise Administration Guide.
GUI mapping
N/A
Updater logging
Summary table
AcroPatchLogLevel
Configures logging to provide debugging output.
LogLevel
For DC products, sets the log level to either brief (0) or verbose (1).
LogLevel
For 11.x and earlier products, sets the log level to either brief (0) or verbose (1).
Data type
1 (int)
Default
0
Version #
DC
User Path
com.adobe.ARMDC.plist and com.adobe.ARMDCHelper.plist
Lock Path
Not lockable
Summary
For DC products, sets the log level to either brief (0) or verbose (1).
Details
The log file is a file generated and appended to at runtime with status, operational, and error information describing what the Updater is doing. This information helps diagnose runtime problems and should be included with any support requests. Logging behaves as follows:
Logging cannot be disabled.
Logs reside at ${HOME}/Library/Logs/Adobe/.
Log files are Acrobat Update Helper DC.log and Acrobat Update DC.log.
Log file size is not limited during an update.
Log files are appended to each time the Updater runs. If an existing log is bigger than 1 MB, the logs contents is moved to a file marked as 'old'. For example, Acrobat Update DC-old.log.
Set the log level as follows:
0: Brief
1: Verbose
GUI mapping
N/A
Data type
1 (int)
Default
0
Version #
9.2-11.x
User Path
com.adobe.ARM.plist
Lock Path
Not lockable
Summary
For 11.x and earlier products, sets the log level to either brief (0) or verbose (1).
Details
The log file is a file generated and appended to at runtime with status, operational, and error information describing what the Updater is doing. This information helps diagnose runtime problems and should be included with any support requests. Logging behaves as follows:
Logging cannot be disabled.
Logs reside at ${HOME}/Library/Logs/Adobe/{application name}
The log file is Updater.log.
Log file size is not limited during an update.
Log files are appended to each time the Updater runs. If an existing log is bigger than 1 MB, the Updater truncates the log. There is a 1MB limit on old logs.
Old log files are backed up once as Adobe Acrobat/Reader Updater-old.log and overwrites any existing old.log. There should never be more than two logs on the system.
Set the log level as follows:
0: Brief
1: Verbose
GUI mapping
N/A
Data type
4 (string)
Default
debug
Version #
10.0+
User Path
com.adobe.acrobat.InstallerOverrides.plist
Lock Path
Not lockable
Summary
Configures logging to provide debugging output.
Details
Manually create this key to get more information about command line installations. The value should be set to 'debug'
GUI mapping
N/A
Updater (other settings)
Summary table
CheckForUpdatesAtStartup
Specifies whether to check for updates on startup.
CheckForUpdatesModeAtStartup
Specifies whether to check for update mode on startup.
LastCheck-{hash of app location}
Records the last time the Updater checked for updates.
noServerContactDays
Sets the time that can elapse without a successful update before the Watchdog dialog appears suggesting the user manually update.
Data type
1 (int)
Default
135
Version #
10.0+
User Path
AdobeARMOverrides.plist
Lock Path
Not lockable
Summary
Sets the time that can elapse without a successful update before the Watchdog dialog appears suggesting the user manually update.
Details
When the Updater successfully obtains a manifest it records the download date. The noServerContactDays preference specifies the time interval that is allowed to pass from that download date to a a successful update. The default is 135 days. If thetime has elapsed, a dialog appears suggesting the user might want to manually get an update from adobe.com. In DC products, this value is hard coded and cannot be changed.
GUI mapping
N/A
Data type
1 (int)
Default
null
Version #
9.2+
User Path
com.adobe.ARM.plist
Lock Path
Not lockable
Summary
Records the last time the Updater checked for updates.
Details
Not user modifiable. By default, the Updater checks for updates every 3 days. When invoked, it reads and uses the value in this key. If more than 3 days have elapsed, it checks for updates against the server value. The 3 day default can be overridden by the StartInterval key.
GUI mapping
N/A
Data type
0 (bool)
Default
1
Version #
8.0-9.x
User Path
AVGeneral
Lock Path
Not lockable
Summary
Specifies whether to check for updates on startup.
Details
This per user setting was used by the Adobe Update Manager and is now used by the new Updater. Possible values include:
0: Don't check for updates.
1: Check for updates.
GUI mapping
Preferences > Updater
Data type
1 (int)
Default
1
Version #
10.0-11.x
User Path
AVGeneral
Lock Path
Not lockable
Summary
Specifies whether to check for update mode on startup.
Details
This per user setting was used by the Adobe Update Manager and is now used by the new Updater. Possible values include:
0: Don't check for updates.
1: Check for updates.
4: (11.0 and later) Notify the user downloads are available but do not download them.
