What is Armsvc.exe? Safe or Virus & How to remove & fix error?

Armsvc.exe is an executable application and is a component of the Adobe Updater for Adobe Acrobat software. This is basically used for Portable Document Format (PDF). This program can be easily found on the majority of the user having a Windows operating system.

The full form of armsvc.exe is Adobe Acrobat Automatic Update Service.

What is Armsvc.exe & Uses?

Armsvc.exe is part of the utility that checks for Adobe Acrobat updates and automatically installs them in the system. It provides auto-notifications for the same to the user.

Adobe Acrobat software is a Portable Document Format (PDF) reader that provides the following services:

  • View
  • Create
  • Convert
  • Edit
  • Sign, and
  • Print PDF files

armsvc.exe Properties

Armsvc.exe is a Win32 process and launches itself when the system is booted. It does update checks for acrobat every three days.

There are three options that this service provides to the system users:

  • Switch the automatic updates on This enables armsvc.exe to run in the background without disturbing the user. It is the default setting of this service.
  • Switch semi-automatic updates on This activates the notifications service through the “Let me Know” option.
  • Switch the automatic updates off: This disables the update service.

There are other executable files that are used in PDF like vspdfprsrv.exe, adobearm.exe, and acrodist.exe.

File size & location

The file size of armsvc.exe could be from 60 Kb to 80.2 KB, whereas the approx size of the software is about 114 Mb.

The location pathway of armsvc.exe is C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\ARM\1.0\ for the 32-bit system version. It is located in the program files (x86) folder in the case of a 64-bit version.

Quick Overview:

  • File Location: C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\ARM\1.0
  • Type: Application
  • Product name: Adobe Acrobat Update Service
  • Official URL: www.adobe.com

Quick Overview

Filename: armsvc.exe
File description: Adobe Acrobat Update Service
File version: 1.7.2.0
File Size: 64.0 KB
Product name: Adobe Acrobat Update Service
File type: Application
Copyright: Adobe Systems Incorporated
Language: English
Location: C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\

Is Armsvc.exe Safe or Virus?

There are a few ways to identify whether it is safe or malware. Armsvc.exe is a legitimate application but sometimes you may find malware with a similar name attacking the system’s resources and performance. In order to find out whether a similar file is a malware or not, its binary code should be sent to the Adobe support team.

There are three ways to check if the associated or similar file is malware:

  • If the program is not located in C:\Program Files\common files\adobe\ subfolder then Armsvc may be a virus.
  • If Verified Signer status of the process is Unable to Verify. You can check this using the Microsoft Process Explorer tool.
  • If the VeriSign certificate of the process is not issued to “Adobe Systems Incorporated”.

Errors

Some common errors encountered with armsvc.exe are:

  • exe Application Error
  • Faulting Application Path: armsvc.exe

Some reasons why these errors may occur are:

  • Conflicts with other Softwares
  • Issues with registry entries of this program 

How to remove or delete Armsvc.exe?

Armsvc.exe is not a system essential process and will not affect other system programs in its absence.

Therefore, it can be easily removed. There are two ways to do this:

  • Uninstall Adobe Acrobat reader in Control Panel >> Uninstall a program
  • Delete the folder ARM or Adobe in Program Files in C drive (not recommended)

Sometimes, even after uninstalling Adobe Acrobat reader, its updater service, armsvc.exe remains in the system due to a bug in the uninstallation program. In such a case, follow the below steps:

  • Open PowerShell and type exe delete AdobeARMservice
  • Then type del %PROGRAMFILES(X86)%\Common Files\Adobe\ARM\ and hit Enter
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Ankita

Founder and Writer @ WinOSBite. Future plan is to make this platform open to community to resolve and discuss various issues, usage related to Operating System.

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