Many military publications require you to have Adobe Reader installed on your computer. Why? No idea. But if you need to get some forms to show up on your computer, you will need to install Adobe Reader.
- It’s free. You are downloading the wrong thing if you’re asked to pay.
- These instructions are for Google Chrome. It works similarly on other browsers.
1. Are you seeing this screen?
If you are, that’s okay. Wipe your tears, take a breath, and we’ll get it squared away. These instructions are for Google Chrome.
2. Download Adobe Acrobat Reader for Your Computer
There are two things you need to download to make the magic work. First, you need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader for your computer. Use the link below.
When you download, you’ll have the option to also download a bunch of other stuff. If you don’t want that stuff, just uncheck the boxes. You’re clicking the middle yellow box pictured below and the “optional offers” are right above it.
3. Download the Chrome Extension
Once you click all the boxes and complete the Adobe installation, you still need to get the Chrome extension to make it work on your browser. You can download that from here.
4. Close and Re-Open Everything
You don’t always have to do this, so if you have a million tabs open, you could always just try refreshing the page with the form you want. If all worked correctly, this is what you’ll see.
See that snazzy button that shows up on the right now that says “Fill & Sign in Acrobat?” That’s your golden ticket to getting your fun paperwork done.
Troubleshooting Tips
- Make sure you are using Chrome.
- Check to see if the Chrome extension is activated. Click the three dots in the top right of the screen > More Tools > Extensions.
- If it’s not showing up there, you need to download it again.
- If it’s showing up there but is “off”, toggle it on.
- Throw your computer out the window. Okay, seriously, don’t do this. But you can imagine it and that will make you feel a bit better.