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Adobe Acrobat Fatal Error code - 1603

Problem

You are getting an Error code 1603 or an error message "A Fatal error occurred during installation" while trying to install or update the following Adobe products

  • Adobe Acrobat 2017 MUI (Classic Track).
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader 2017 MUI (Classic Track).
  • Adobe Acrobat DC (Continuous Track).
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader DC MUI (Classic Track).
  • Adobe Acrobat DC (Classic Track).
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader DC MUI.
  • Adobe Reader 10.
  • Adobe Reader 11.

Causes

This error is mainly due to Environmental level issues. The other reasons for this error could be the following.

  1. The installer is trying to install the "sRGB Color Space Profile.icm" on top of an existing copy, which is locked.
  2. Google desktop is installed on the target system.
  3. You have a double-byte folder on a single-byte Windows operating system.

Resolution

  1. The issue gets fixed, when Adobe is installed at system startup.
  2. Otherwise, try uninstalling and reinstalling the respective Adobe application.

If the issue isn't fixed, follow the fixes for the corresponding errors as given below

Error 1603 : Fatal error during installation (AdobeColorCommonSetRGB)

  1. Disable Startup items and Non-Microsoft services.
  2. Fix permissions on the Windows Color Profiles folder by following the steps below :
    • Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\spool\drivers.
    • Right-click the Color folder --> Properties --> Security tab --> Advanced --> Owner tab.
    • If current owner is not the Administrator group, then Change owner to Administrator group.
    • Select Replace owners on Subcontainers and Objects --> click OK.
    • If the message 'Reopen the object's properties dialog box before you view or change permissions' comes -> Click OK to all the dialogue boxes -> Right click Color folder -> Properties -> Click Security tab -> Advanced.
    • On the Permissions tab --> Edit --> Select Administrators group --> Edit.
    • Give Apply to "This folders, subfolders, and files".
    • Under Allow column --> Full control --> Select options labelled "Replace permission entries on all child objects" --> Click OK.
  3. Try reinstalling the Adobe applications.

Error 1603 : Fatal error during installation (Google Desktop)

Remove Google Desktop

  1. On Windows Vista
    • Choose Start --> Control Panel --> Programs and Features.
    • Select Google Desktop --> click Uninstall.
    • Restart the computer.
  2. On Windows XP
    • Choose Start --> Settings --> Control Panel and --> Add Or Remove Programs.
    • Select Google Desktop --> click Remove.
    • Restart the computer.
  3. Try reinstalling your Adobe application.

Error 1603 : Fatal error during installation (Double Byte folder)

Install the Adobe product into a single-byte folder

  1. Launch the Adobe installer.
  2. Follow the onscreen instructions until you get to the Installation Location dialog box.
  3. Click Browse and select a folder without double-byte characters.
  4. Try reinstalling your Adobe application.

All other 1603 errors ("#_AdobeError_# 1603")

  1. Clear contents of user and system temp folders.
  2. Verify that the Windows Installer Service is started.
  3. Reregister the Windows Installer service.
  4. Install to a folder that is not encrypted.
  5. Run the Adobe Cleaner tool.
  6. Troubleshoot using install logs.

Incase of further clarifications, Refer Adobe Support.