Registry entry to force install of reader updates?

Question

Greetings!
I've been trying to deploy Reader updates across our network via GPO but it's been a real, real hassle. Also, because some of the client PCs are connected via slow links the install time is sometimes excruciatingly long (computer configured GPO).
SMS is not an option right now, so I'm thinking that rather than use GPO to centrally manage reader updates I throw up my arms and leave it up to the users. So my question is if there is some sort of a registry setting that will force Reader updates to install once they are downloaded from the Internet. Or, alternatively, if there some sort of login script available that would check if there was a Reader update available for installation and forcibly install it. Or, alternatively, if anyone has figured out a better way to deal with the Reader GPO deployment nightmare. 

Answer 1

Hi,
Well, as you mentioned, GPO would have been the best option to update across an enterprise network. You can refer to the guide at http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/837/cpsid_83709/attachments/Acrobat_Enterprise_Administration.pdf. It may give you some more tips on how to maybe change your settings to ensure a speedy install.
As far as your second question is concerned, you can use the "Automatically Install Updates" option for the Reader Updater, which will automatically install the updates as and when it downloads any. The registry entry to set the same is as below:
Prior to Reader 10.1:
[HKLM]\Software\Adobe\Adobe ARM\1.0\ARM\
Name: iCheck (DWORD)
Value: 3
Post Reader 10.1:
[HKLM]\Software\Adobe\Adobe ARM\1.0\ARM\
Name: iCheckReader (DWORD)
Value: 3
You can set the same using a login script via GPO itself. This will ensure that any and all updates as and when available will be installed as soon as its downloaded, provided no process of Reader is running at that time.
For more details on all the configurations on the updater preferences, please refer to the following document:
http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/837/cpsid_83709/attachments/Acrobat_Reader_Updater.pdf
Hope this helps
Ankit