Adobe Reader X
Adobe Reader X (version 10) was Adobe's free PDF viewing application released in 2010. Its main addition over previous versions was Protected Mode - a security sandbox that isolated the PDF renderer from the rest of the system, reducing the risk of malware exploiting PDF vulnerabilities. It supported Windows XP through Windows 8.
What it did
The program opened, displayed, and printed PDF documents. Form filling, electronic signatures (draw, type, or import an image), text search, and annotation tools (sticky notes, highlighting, underlining) covered the most common PDF tasks beyond simple viewing. A browser plugin rendered PDFs directly inside Internet Explorer and Firefox.
The Protected Mode sandbox was the headline security feature. PDF content ran in a restricted process that could not access the file system or network without explicit permission, blocking many exploit techniques that had plagued earlier Adobe Reader versions.
Advantages
- Protected Mode sandbox significantly improved security
- Electronic signature support without paid Acrobat
- Annotation and commenting tools for collaboration
- Free and widely compatible
Drawbacks
- Support ended November 2015 - no security patches
- Heavy and slow to start compared to lightweight alternatives
- Browser plugin technology is now deprecated
- Adobe Acrobat Reader DC or SumatraPDF are current options
Who it was for
Adobe Reader X was the standard corporate PDF viewer from 2010 to 2015, valued for its sandbox security in enterprise environments. Since support ended in 2015, it receives no security updates and should not be used. The current Adobe Acrobat Reader or lighter alternatives like SumatraPDF and Foxit are the correct choices today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Adobe Reader X?
Is Adobe Reader X still safe to use?
What replaced Adobe Reader X?
Features & How-To Guide
| # | Feature | How to use |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | PDF document browsing 3 | Open PDF file by double-clicking or File › Open. |
| 2 | PDF document printing 3 | File › Print › Select a printer and settings › Set the page range › Print. |
| 3 | PDF form filling and saving | Open a PDF with a form › Click in the fields › Enter data › File › Save As. |
| 4 | Commenting and annotations in PDF | Comment › Select Sticky Note/Highlight/Underline › Click in the document. |
| 5 | Adding electronic signature | Sign › Place Signature › Draw/type/load a signature › Place it in the document. |
| 6 | PDF browsing in browser | PDF opens automatically in the Firefox/IE browser thanks to the Adobe Reader plugin. |
| 7 | Text search in document 4 | Edit › Find (Ctrl+F) › Enter phrase › Enter › Navigate between results. |
| 8 | Protected sandbox mode | Edit › Preferences › Security (Enhanced) › Enable Protected Mode at startup. |
Related software categories
Similar Programs
Questions & Answers
Ask a Question
Our team and community are happy to help
No questions yet. Be the first to ask!