Error code 1402: Could not open key

Error "1402: Could not open key ..." or "1406: Could not write...to key..." -- Acrobat and Adobe Reader
Issue

When you install Adobe Acrobat 6.x or higher, Professional or Standard, Acrobat returns one of the following error messages, and then the installation terminates:
· "Error 1402: Could not open key [key name] ."
· "Error 1406: Could not write value Folders to key [key name] ."
Solution
Solution 1: Remove all previous versions of Acrobat, and then reinstall.
1. Choose Start > Control Panel (Windows XP) or Start > Settings > Control Panel (Windows 2000).
2. Double-click Add Or Remove Programs.
3. Select Adobe Acrobat [version] and click Remove.
4. When prompted, confirm that you want to remove Acrobat.
5. Repeat the above procedure for all installed versions of Acrobat.
6. Restart the computer, and then reinstall Acrobat.
Solution 2: Set permissions to their defaults in the registry.
Perform the steps below during Acrobat or Adobe Reader installation. The Administrators group listed below is the default local administrative group for Windows 2000 and XP.

Disclaimer: This procedure involves editing the Windows registry. Adobe doesn't provide support for editing the registry, which contains critical system and application information. Make sure to back up the registry before editing it. For more information about the registry, see the Windows documentation or contact Microsoft.

For Windows XP:
1. Write down the path to the key referred to in the error message and leave the installation running. For example: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\.pdf\PersistentHandler.
2. Choose Start > Run, type regedit in the Open text field of the Run dialog box, and then click OK.
3. Back up your current Registry file:
1. In the Registry Editor dialog box, choose File > Export.
2. Type a name for the file and choose the location.
3. For Export Range, choose All.
4. Click Save.
4. Navigate to the parent of the key referenced in the error message. For example, for the key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\.pdf\PersistentHandler, open (double-click) HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE >SOFTWARE > Classes > .pdf.

Note: These steps may vary slightly depending on the path in the error message

5. Right-click on the parent key and select Permissions (HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\.pdf).
6. Verify that the Administrators and SYSTEM is present and that Full Control is selected under the Allow column.
7. In the Permissions dialog box, click Advanced.

8. Select the Administrators group (1) and "Replace owner on subcontainers and objects" (2).

Note: Select the current administrator account if the Administrators group is unavailable.


9. Select both "Allow inheritable permissions from parent to propagate to this object" and "Reset permissions on all child objects and enable propagation of inheritable permissions," (1) and then click the Owner tab (2).

10. Click OK (3) in the "Advanced Security Settings" dialog box. Windows will now reset the permissions for each child object to correspond with its parent.
11. Minimize the Registry Editor and click Retry.
o If the error reoccurs with the same key proceed to Solution 4.
o If the error occurs with another registry key repeat Steps 1-12 using the new registry key without backing up the registry.
o If the error does not occur finish the installation following the on screen instructions and exit the Registry Editor.

For Windows 2000:
1. Write down the path to the key referenced in the error message. For example: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\.pdf\PersistentHandler.
2. Choose Start > Run, type regedit in the Open text field of the Run dialog box, and then click OK.
3. Back up your current Registry file:
a. In the Registry Editor dialog box, choose File > Export
b. Type a name for the file and choose the location.
c. For Export Range, choose All.
d. Click Save.
e. Close Regedit.
4. Choose Start > Run, type regedt32 in the Open text field of the Run dialog box, and then click OK.
5. Navigate to the parent of the key referenced in the error message. For example, for the key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\.pdf\PersistentHandler, choose Window > HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE then open (double-click) SOFTWARE > Classes > .pdf.
6. Note: These steps may vary slightly depending on the path in the error message.
7. Select the parent key (HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\.pdf), and then choose Security Menu > Permissions.
8. Verify that the Administrators and SYSTEM is present and that Full Control is selected under the Allow column.
9. In the Permissions dialog box, click Advanced.

10. Select both "Allow inheritable permissions from parent to propagate to this object" and "Reset permissions on all child objects and enable propagation of inheritable permissions," (1) and then click Owner (2).

11. Select the Administrators group (1) and "Replace owner on subcontainers and objects" (2).

Note: Select the current administrator account if the Administrators group is unavaliable.


12. Click OK (3) in the Permissions dialog box. Windows will now reset the permissions for each child object to correspond with its parent. Click yes on any prompts.
13. Minimize the Registry Editor and click Retry.
o If the error reoccurs with the same key proceed to Solution 4.
o If the error occurs with another registry key repeat Steps 4-12 using the new registry key without backing up the registry.
o If the error does not occur finish the installation following the on screen instructions and exit the Registry Editor.
If Acrobat still displays an error message, you may need to investigate permissions on the particular registry key in question. Occasionally, renaming the key allows the installer to re-create the key and reset the permissions if the key is corrupted. If you can't change permissions or rename that key, contact Microsoft or your hardware vendor for assistance.

Solution 4: Remove spyware.
Note: Adobe provides this information as a courtesy only. Adobe Technical Support does not support third-party applications. Users are encouraged to read the release notes for these applications before installing.
Some programs can install software that can be damaging to your Operating System. Scan for these programs with an anti-spyware utility such as Ad-Aware, available at www.lavasoftusa.com or with anti-spyware software provided by Microsoft at www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx.

Solution 5: Check your system for viruses.
System viruses can cause erratic behavior and prevent Acrobat from installing. Use current anti-virus software, such as McAfee VirusScan, to check your system for viruses. Make sure that you have the latest virus definitions for the anti-virus software you use. Although virus infections are rare, they can cause strange system behavior, including system errors. Running virus-detection software regularly prevents viruses from damaging software on your system. For instructions, see the documentation for the anti-virus software.

Solution 6: Disable Webroot Spy Sweeper.
For more information or help disabling Spy Sweeper, contact Webroot Corporation. Adobe technical support does not support third-party applications.

Additional Information

The 1402 Windows Installer error occurs when the Windows Installer is unable to read a particular registry key. Installation may fail because the Acrobat installer attempts to clean up registry keys of previous versions of Acrobat to avoid conflicts with Acrobat plug-ins and add-ins for third-party software. Error 1406 occurs when the installer cannot successfully write a registry key essential for installation.