Adobe Express Photos bundled with Adobe Reader
Posted by NoPossibility4178@reddit | sysadmin | View on Reddit | 32 comments
Just a heads up since I just noticed this now on Monday morning, but Adobe has bundled Express Photos onto Adobe Reader, so if you have auto updates it's gonna install this shit which will try to highjack your print screen button and most likely starting sending all your screenshots to Adobe for them to use for whatever current AI bullshit they have going on. Absolutely disgusting.
marrypep@reddit
It also installs McAfee without you knowing!
ManishKanwal_Adobe@reddit
3) During screenshot session: While capturing/editing screenshot → use settings in Capture bar → disable Express Photos screenshot takeover
ManishKanwal_Adobe@reddit
2) Open Express Photos → Open "Settings", then toggle Screenshot Shortcut off.
ManishKanwal_Adobe@reddit
1) On first Print Screen: Use the dialog box that appears → choose to revert to old screenshot tool.
ManishKanwal_Adobe@reddit
Hi there, I am from Adobe and thanks for flagging this.
Express Photos is included with Reader install. While it has its some benefits, I understand a showing up unannounced can introduce friction.
This feedback has been noticed and we're looking into how to handle this experience better.
In the meantime, there are multiple ways to remove it, if you don't need it
ManishKanwal_Adobe@reddit
Hi there, I am from Adobe and thanks for flagging this.
Express Photos is included with Reader install. While it has its some benefits, I understand a showing up unannounced can introduce friction. This feedback has been noticed and we're looking into how to handle this experience better.
In the meantime, there are multiple ways to remove it, if you don't need it
ManishKanwal_Adobe@reddit
Hi there, I am from Adobe and thanks for flagging this.
Express Photos is included with Reader install. While it has its some benefits, I understand a showing up unannounced can introduce friction.
This feedback has been noticed and we're looking into how to handle this experience better.
In the meantime, there are multiple ways to remove it, if you don't need it
SlowEconomist9519@reddit
Hi there, I am from Adobe and thanks for flagging this.
Express Photos is included with Reader install. While it has its some benefits, I understand a showing up unannounced can introduce friction.
This feedback has been noticed and we're looking into how to handle this experience better.
In the meantime, there are multiple ways to remove it, if you don't need it
SlowEconomist9519@reddit
Hi there, I am from Adobe and thanks for flagging this.
Express Photos is included with Reader install. While it has its some benefits, I understand a showing up unannounced can introduce friction.
This feedback has been noticed and we're looking into how to handle this experience better.
In the meantime, there are multiple ways to remove it, if you don't need it
SlowEconomist9519@reddit
Hi there, I am from Adobe and thanks for flagging this.
Express Photos is included as part of the Reader install. While it has its own benefits, I understand that a change showing up unannounced can introduce friction. This feedback has been noticed, and we're looking into how to handle this better.
In the meantime, let me share multiple ways to remove it.
IconicName99@reddit
If you right-click "Edit with Adobe Express" and it opens the photo editor (it's not even installed on the computer, it's just a plug-in or whatever it is), does it upload the file to the Adobe server/cloud (if you are no logged in and don't even have an account with Adobe)? Does it upload right away even if you don't do anything with the file and just close it? Because the Save button only shows after you start editing.
Whos_Blockin_Jimmy@reddit
It’s to spy on users photos and computer to train its evil T-1000 androids AI pee wee Herman Melinda Gates sht!
unauthorizeddinosaur@reddit
We started seeing this last month and I am thankful we have Applocker configured to block all but specific allowed apps, especially since this seems not to be a normal exe installer but a packaged app.
MESSAGE: 2026-02-02T16:46:24-06:00 REDACTED MSWinEventLog 3 Microsoft-Windows-AppLocker/Packaged app-Deployment 34643 Mon Feb 02 16:46:24 2026 8025 Microsoft-Windows-AppLocker REDACTED N/A Error REDACTED 0 AdobeSystemsIncorporated.AdobePhotoshopExpress was prevented from running.
Whos_Blockin_Jimmy@reddit
Adobe sucks and we get ALL our software free from them! Bling bling! Ain’t no one payin! Celebrate like da championship celebrate like da championship!
OkEmployment4437@reddit
if you're on Intune you can push an AppLocker or WDAC policy to block the Express Photos executable specifically, don't even need to wait for Adobe to fix it. GPO works too if you're still hybrid. the part people forget is documenting this for compliance, especially if you've got EU clients or operations. under GDPR you technically need to show you took action when you became aware of unauthorized data transfers to a third party processor. screenshot that Adobe bundled it silently, document when you blocked it, save it somewhere your DPO can find it.
SuperfluousJuggler@reddit
where does the executable reside do you know the path, I'd like to be proactive with this.
OkEmployment4437@reddit
Yeah so it usually lands under C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Express Photos\ but if it came in as a packaged app you'll find it under C:\Program Files\WindowsApps as AdobeExpressPhotos. For WDAC or AppLocker the easiest route is just blocking by publisher "Adobe Inc" and product name, that way you catch it regardless of install path.
Whos_Blockin_Jimmy@reddit
C*ckblock dat sht like that shtty Johnny Cena movie! Gross
Whos_Blockin_Jimmy@reddit
You need the help of the lord M0nkrus! Go in peace, child!
NoPossibility4178@reddit (OP)
Don't think they are gonna fix it, it's a "feature" as seen on their download page with it enabled by default.
NoPossibility4178@reddit (OP)
https://i.ibb.co/1G240rch/IMG-20260330-103001.jpg
segagamer@reddit
What the fuck is wrong with Adobe and why don't they ever pull this shit on MacOS.
Whos_Blockin_Jimmy@reddit
They cowards!
xendr0me@reddit
Should be pushing Adobe Acrobat unified and having it run as reader with the regedit fixes, not Adobe Reader in a corp env.
lawno@reddit
Third party plugins don't work on the downgraded version.
xendr0me@reddit
Define downgraded?
Whos_Blockin_Jimmy@reddit
When she went down on me, she definitely seen as downgraded now.
lawno@reddit
The unified installer that is in "reader" (unlicensed) mode.
xendr0me@reddit
This one? https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/desktop/get-started/access-the-app/install-acrobat-enterprise.html or the MUI? The Enterprise one should work fine.
J53151@reddit
I use the MUI version from here https://get.adobe.com/reader/enterprise/
and updating it thankfully this isn't installed (yet?). It probably depends on how it was installed.
Sammeeeeeee@reddit
Even worse, for some users the new app disables the keyboard?!!
bingblangblong@reddit
I would recommend you switch to PDF X-Change Editor. I know not always possible, especially if you download standards that required FileOpen DRM for Reader.