Using the Windows XP x64 or Windows Server 2003 x64 Versions and Adobe Acrobat Standard/Professional 7.0 to create PDFs

If you are running either of Microsoft's x64 operating systems, you are probably quite frustrated with the fact you can't create PDFs even though you have a licensed version of Adobe Acrobat Standard or Professional. Turns out Adobe's Print Driver is not a 64-bit driver - so it won't load. Adobe says because Acrobat 7.0 was released before the x64 versions - they are not going to support it or something like that.

However, there is a workaround. Distiller will take a .ps file (postscript file) and turn it into a .pdf for you - so you just need a way to make a .ps. That's easy - here is how to do it:

Add a post-script printer to your system. I suggest using a color Postscript Printer so you get color PDFs. Windows x64 versions include lots of good candidates - I use the HP Color LaserJet 8550-PS. Add the printer and have it use the FILE: port (instead of LPT or COM)

Now, whenever you need to create a PDF, send it to that printer. You will be prompted for a path (I use C:\Adobe\) and save the document with a .ps extension (default will be a .prn)

Using Windows Explorer, Navigate to C:\Adobe\ and check the name. If it ends with a .ps and you have Adobe Acrobat 7.0 Standard or Professional (no - this doesn't work with just the reader), double-click it. Adobe Distiller will start up, convert the document and spit out the PDF in the same folder.

Enjoy!