I've been getting an error at boot for the last little while. I'm currently on Windows 10, but this also happened on Windows 8.1

AdobeGCClient.exe - System Error
The program can't start because adobe_caps.dll is missing from your
computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem.

The thing is, I don't which "program" they want me to reinstall.

I only had a couple of Adobe products on my machine, and I uninstalled them. I've reinstalled Adobe Reader (because I use it once in a while) but I don't use anything else. Certainly not Flash and not their Creative suite. (Alas, I don't remember exactly what I uninstalled. Flash, yes. And there was a promotion for Adobe's creative suite, which I didn't want. I'm not sure if there was anything else.)

I have used CCleaner to scan the registry for a leftover key, but that came up empty. A search of the registry with Regedit found nothing for "adobe_caps.dll".

I see the Adobe GC Client in the Startup tab of the Task Manager, but the "Disable" button is, itself, disabled.

Neither Malware Bytes nor Avast turned up anything as far as malware.

There are a number of sites out there that offer downloads of adobe_caps.dll, but where would I put it (even if I trusted any of these sites)?

Any clues? What might I try?

3

1 Answer

AdobeGCClient is of course a part of the Adobe suite of programs. In the past years, Adobe products have grown into bloated monsters that are not completely under control, not even of Adobe.

Probably, when uninstalling Adobe products, some part was left over and now needs some other part that was uninstalled.

The solution is a total cleanup of all Adobe products. Instead of Adobe Reader, you may then install a free replacement such as the lean and mean Foxit Reader.

Here is how I would go to clean up after Adobe :

1. In Control Panel / Programs and Features, uninstall all Adobe products and reboot.
   Or better, use Revo Uninstaller Freeware to uninstall and clean after.
2. Delete (or rename) the folder c:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe.
3. Run CCleaner

Further cleanup entails searching the file-system and the registry for any mention of the string "Adobe" and deleting them all. This might not be required, but be very careful if you decide doing that.

If the above message persists after the cleanup, use Process Explorerand drag its bull's-eye icon over the System Error message. This will tell you which process is issuing this message. Double-click on the process to see its properties and report on its path for further cleanup.

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