how to re-install api-ms-win-core-winrt-l1-1-0.dll

Check out the thread, "api-ms-win-core-winrt-l1-1-0.dll error" from February 20, 2026. A Learn user named Pet er asked the question & provided a viable solution for Windows 7 users.

I'll summarize the best I can. Installing any version of Adobe Acrobat directly from Adobe will result in automatic updates. (According to Adobe Community Support posters, Adobe is disregarding users' attempts to disable updates.) So, this is what I and others have done, as per Pet er's suggestions.

1. Uninstall the Adobe reader (Control Panel - Programs - uninstall).
2. Go to a website called oldversion.com. Under the "Office" heading, click on Acrobat Reader. Scroll down the list to Acrobat Reader XI 11.0.01 from Jan. 07, 2013 and select this version to install.
3. During installation, you'll be asked about updates: choose the "not recommended" manual updates.
4. After installation, go to the Start menu & type "services". In services (or services.msc), right click Adobe Acrobat & select "stop". This stops the automatic update "service", but it may still show that it's automatic.
5. From the Start menu, type "task scheduler". In the task scheduler, choose "Last 30 Days": if an Adobe update is shown, uninstall (delete?) it.
6. Make sure your Microsoft Windows security updates have been installed: I believe the most recent was dated February 10, 2026.

I did everything except step #5 a few days ago. As I was verifying the info for step #4, I noticed that the Adobe update service was showing "started", so I had to stop it again. Just letting you know that you might want to check this periodically.

The Acrobat Reader XI version does work with forms that need to be filled out or signed, but it's definitely an old-school version of their PDF reader. According to Copilot, the downloads from oldversion.com are considered to be safe as they are tested for & free from viruses & malware.

See the other thread for more info. I hope this helps!

Sorry to hear that Kelly. I had trouble with it too. Sometimes it takes a little playing with. Sure thing!

An update fix is forthcoming from Adobe, as they're getting flamed for breaking it with the latest update.

If you don't want to wait, and you're a bit tech savvy, this Adobe Community help thread has some solutions. I successfully used the fix from HelpfulJohn.

https://community.adobe.com/questions-12/reader-win7-21208-update-breaks-acrobat-reader-won-t-start-missing-dll-1550183/index2.html

To resolve the issue of the missing api-ms-win-core-winrt-l1-1-0.dll file when trying to download a PDF using Acrobat, you can follow these steps:

1. Run Windows Update: Ensure your Windows operating system is fully updated, as updates may include the necessary DLL files.
2. Reinstall the Application: Sometimes, reinstalling the application that is prompting the error can replace missing DLL files. Uninstall Acrobat and then reinstall it.
3. Use the Windows Installer: You can use the Windows Installer to detect and reinstall missing components. If you suspect that the DLL is part of a larger component, you can use the following methods:
   • Call MsiGetComponentPath to check if the key file of the component is present.
   • If it is missing, use MsiInstallMissingFile to install the missing file.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, you may need to consider repairing your Windows installation or seeking further assistance from Microsoft support.

References:

• Installing a Missing Component
• APIs from api-ms-win-core-winrt-l1-1-0.dll