How to Remove or Disable The AdobeGCClient?

AdobeGCClient.exe or Adobe Genuine Copy Validation Client Application is a process that runs in the background of a system that has any Adobe software installed on it. It checks for possible Adobe software piracy and tempering issues on the installed system. However, this error shows up even when the software is legitimately installed on a system.

The AdobeGCClient.exe system error is a common error that many Adobe users have experienced while using their software. The error shows up with a message that reads something about a .dll file missing from your computer. Mostly you see the following error message: “The program can’t start because adobe_caps.dll is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem.” The .dll file name might change the error is similar for all these affected users. And here in this article, we will look at all the fixes or solutions that you can try to resolve the issue. So without any further ado, let’s get into it.

How to fix AdobeGCClient.exe system error?

To fix the AdobeGCClient.exe system error, you can either try updating the application, reinstalling the application, scanning the system for malware and more. These possible fixes have worked out the issue for several users. So give all of these solutions a try, one after the other, and see which one of these helps you get rid of the AdobeGCClient.exe system error.

Update the application:

• Open up the Adobe application that you are using on your computer.
• Click on Help and then click on “Check for Updates.”

• If you have an update pending, you will see an option to download and install it. Click on that option.
• The installer will ask you to stop any active Adobe program running in the background. Do so by simply terminating the application window, not the update window.
• Start your download and install. Once you are done, close the update pop-up.

If you have more than one Adobe application on your computer, then perform an update for each one of them. If updating the applications did not solve your problem, try the next solution mentioned below.

Reinstall the application:

For reinstalling the adobe program, you need to first completely remove it from the system. For that, first, you need to sign in to the Adobe CC desktop app. Then using the Creative Cloud desktop app, uninstall any Adobe application installed on your system. This will get rid of the registry entries for Adobe software in your Windows system along with the program itself. If you face any uninstallation issues, then go to Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a program. Choose the Adobe application from the list of applications and click on the “Uninstall” button at the top. Then follow the on-screen instructions and uninstall the program from your system.

Now download the latest version of the program from Adobe’s official website and install the program again. After you are done reinstalling your program, restart the computer and then launch the Adobe program. If you encounter the same system error, then try the next potential solution.

Scan for malware infection:

There is a chance that your system might be infected by malware. As a result, the AdobeGCClient.exe system error shows up as it cannot recognize the infected files. So, perform a full system scan using any antivirus program that you prefer and clear out any infection you detect in your system.

If you do not detect anything or neutralizing the malware infection does not fix the system error, try the next solution mentioned below.

Run a System File Checker(SFC) scan:

System File Checker or SFC is a Windows utility that can fix most Windows system errors. It scans the entire system for any missing or corrupted files and repairs them if it is possible.

• Click on the search bar and look for “command prompt.”
• Once it shows up in the results, open it or run it as an administrator.
• In the command prompt window, enter the following command and press the Enter key:

DISM.exe/Online/Cleanup-image/Restorehealth

• Once this is complete, enter the following command and press Enter again.

sfc /scannow

• The SFC scan will run for a while, and once it is done, you might see a message on the screen that says something about some Windows files being repaired.

If the scan does not show up any errors or the repair does not solve your Adobegcclient.exe system error, move on to the next potential solution.

Install Microsoft C++ Redistributable:

Microsoft C++ Redistributable is a package required by many Windows programs. If you don’t have it, you will see dll file missing errors for more than just the adobe software.

• Open up your browser and go to Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable download page.
• Click on the Download button.
• Depending on your Windows, choose between the 64-bit vc_redist.x64.exe and the 32-bit vc_redist.x32.exe.
• Press the next button to save the Microsoft C++ Redistributable 2015/2017 installer to your Windows.
• Open up the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to install the package on your Windows.

If you already have the program, then perform a repair on it.

• Click on the search bar and look for “Control Panel.”
• Open it up once it shows up in the results.
• Choose “View by” as “Category” in the top right corner of the Control Panel window.
• Under Programs, you will see “Uninstall a program.” Click on it.
• In the list of installed programs, look for C++ Redistributable 2015/2017. Once you find it, click on the “Change” button.

• Now click on the Repair button and follow the on-screen instructions. It will reinstall Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable 2015/2017 and fix any possible issues with the package.

If repairing or installing Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable 2015/2017 does not do you any good, try the final solution mentioned below.

Change the extension of the Adobegcclient.exe file:

If you change the extension of the Adobegcclient.exe file, then Windows won’t be able to execute it. Removing it might cause the system to function abnormally, but changing the extension will disable its functionality.

• Press the Windows Key + R to open up the Run dialog box.
• In the Run dialog box, enter “C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\AdobeGCClient” and press Enter.
• Right-click on the Adobegcclient.exe file and choose the “Rename” option.
• Change the extension of the file from AdobeGCClient.exe to AdobeGCClient.old.
• A pop-up will appear asking you to confirm your action of changing the file extension of this system file.
• Click on Yes, and the extension will be changed.

Now you should not see the AdobeGCClient.exe system error when you launch an Adobe program or start your Windows computer. If you have any questions or queries about this article, then comment down below, and we will get back to you. Also, be sure to check out our other articles on iPhone tips and tricks, Android tips and tricks, PC tips and tricks, and much more for more useful information.