Foxit Reader 7 Silent Install (How-To Guide)

Foxit Reader is a multilingual freemium PDF (Portable Document Format) tool that can create, view, edit, digitally sign, and print PDF files. This article will serve as an informative guide and give you a clear understanding of how to perform a silent installation of Foxit Reader 7 from the command line using the EXE installer.

How to Install Foxit Reader Silently

Foxit Reader 7.x Silent Install (EXE)

  1. Navigate to: Foxit Reader 7
  2. Download the FoxitReader736.321_prom_L10N_Setup.exe to a folder created at (C:\Downloads)
  3. Open an Elevated Command Prompt by Right-Clicking on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator
  4. Navigate to the C:\Downloads folder
  5. Enter the following command: FoxitReader736.321_prom_L10N_Setup.exe /VERYSILENT /NORESTART
  6. Press Enter

After a few moments you should see the Foxit Reader Desktop Shortcut appear. You will also find entries in the Start Menu, Installation Directory, and Programs and Features in the Control Panel.

Software Title:Foxit Reader
Vendor:Foxit Software Inc.
Version:7.x
Architecture:x86
Installer Type:EXE
Silent Install Switch:FoxitReader736.321_prom_L10N_Setup.exe /VERYSILENT /NORESTART
Silent Uninstall Switch (32-bit System)"%ProgramFiles%\Foxit Software\Foxit Reader\unins000.exe" /VERYSILENT /NORESTART
Silent Uninstall Switch (64-bit System)"%ProgramFiles(x86)%\Foxit Software\Foxit Reader\unins000.exe" /VERYSILENT /NORESTART
Download Link:Foxit Reader 7
PowerShell Script:https://silentinstallhq.com/foxit-pdf-reader-install-and-uninstall-powershell/
Detection Script:https://silentinstallhq.com/create-a-custom-detection-script-for-foxit-pdf-reader-powershell/

The information above provides a quick overview of the software title, vendor, silent install, and silent uninstall switches. The download links provided take you directly to the vendors website. Continue reading if you are interested in additional details and configurations.


Additional Configurations

Create a Foxit Reader Installation Log File

The Foxit Reader installer offers the option to generate a log file during installation to assist with troubleshooting should any problems arise. You can use the following command to create a verbose log file with details about the installation.

Foxit Reader 7.x Silent Install (EXE) with Logging

FoxitReader736.321_prom_L10N_Setup.exe /VERYSILENT /NORESTART /LOG="%WINDIR%\Temp\FoxitReader7-Install.log"

Change the Foxit Reader Default Installation Directory

You can also change the default installation directory by using the following command line parameters. In this example, I’m installing Foxit Reader to “C:\Foxit Reader”

FoxitReader736.321_prom_L10N_Setup.exe /DIR="C:\Foxit Reader" /VERYSILENT /NORESTART

Exclude the Foxit Reader Desktop Shortcut During Install

The Foxit Reader installer creates a desktop shortcut by default. If you do not want the desktop shortcut, then you can run the following command line switches to exclude it.

Foxit Reader 7.x Silent Install (EXE) with No Desktop Shortcut

FoxitReader736.321_prom_L10N_Setup.exe /VERYSILENT /NORESTART /MERGETASKS=!desktopicon

Exclude the Foxit Reader Start Menu Icon

Foxit Reader 7.x Silent Install (EXE) with Start Menu Icon Excluded

FoxitReader736.321_prom_L10N_Setup.exe /VERYSILENT /NORESTART /MERGETASKS=!startmenufolder

Exclude the Foxit Reader Quick Launch Shortcut

Foxit Reader 7.x Silent Install (EXE) with Quick Launch Shortcut Excluded

FoxitReader736.321_prom_L10N_Setup.exe /VERYSILENT /NORESTART /MERGETASKS=!quicklaunchicon

Do Not Set Foxit Reader as the Default PDF Viewer

FoxitReader736.321_prom_L10N_Setup.exe /VERYSILENT /NORESTART /MERGETASKS=!setdefaultreader

Do Not Show PDF Files in Browsers

FoxitReader736.321_prom_L10N_Setup.exe /VERYSILENT /NORESTART /MERGETASKS=!displayinbrowser

Install Foxit Reader as Default System Printer

Foxit Reader 7.x Silent Install (EXE) with Foxit Reader Set as Default System Printer

FoxitReader736.321_prom_L10N_Setup.exe /VERYSILENT /NORESTART /MERGETASKS=setdefaultcreator

Exclude Shell Extensions, Foxit Reader Creator, Plugin, and Foxit Spell Check Language

Foxit Reader 7.x Silent Install (EXE) with Shell Extensions, Foxit Reader Creator, Plugin, and Foxit Spell Check Language Excluded

FoxitReader736.321_prom_L10N_Setup.exe /COMPONENTS=pdfviewer,!ffse,!installprint,!installprint\converttopdf,!installprint\wordaddin,!installprint\pptaddin,!installprint\exceladdin,!ffaddin,!ffspellcheck /VERYSILENT /NORESTART

Exclude Shell Extensions

Foxit Reader 7.x Silent Install (EXE) with Shell Extensions Excluded

FoxitReader736.321_prom_L10N_Setup.exe /COMPONENTS=pdfviewer,!ffse,installprint,installprint\converttopdf,installprint\wordaddin,installprint\pptaddin,installprint\exceladdin,ffaddin,ffspellcheck /VERYSILENT /NORESTART

Exclude Foxit Reader Creator Plugins & Extensions

Foxit Reader 7.x Silent Install (EXE) with Foxit Reader Creator Plugins & Extensions Excluded

FoxitReader736.321_prom_L10N_Setup.exe /COMPONENTS=pdfviewer,ffse,!installprint,!installprint\converttopdf,!installprint\wordaddin,!installprint\pptaddin,!installprint\exceladdin,ffaddin,ffspellcheck /VERYSILENT /NORESTART

Exclude Windows Shell Extension for Converting PDF

Foxit Reader 7.x Silent Install (EXE) with Windows Shell Extension for Converting PDF Excluded

FoxitReader736.321_prom_L10N_Setup.exe /COMPONENTS=pdfviewer,ffse,installprint,!installprint\converttopdf,installprint\wordaddin,installprint\pptaddin,installprint\exceladdin,ffaddin,ffspellcheck /VERYSILENT /NORESTART

Exclude Foxit Reader Word Plugin

Foxit Reader 7.x Silent Install (EXE) with Word Plugin Excluded

FoxitReader736.321_prom_L10N_Setup.exe /COMPONENTS=pdfviewer,ffse,installprint,installprint\converttopdf,!installprint\wordaddin,installprint\pptaddin,installprint\exceladdin,ffaddin,ffspellcheck /VERYSILENT /NORESTART

Exclude Foxit Reader PowerPoint Plugin

Foxit Reader 7.x Silent Install (EXE) with PowerPoint Plugin Excluded

FoxitReader736.321_prom_L10N_Setup.exe /COMPONENTS=pdfviewer,ffse,installprint,installprint\converttopdf,installprint\wordaddin,!installprint\pptaddin,installprint\exceladdin,ffaddin,ffspellcheck /VERYSILENT /NORESTART

Exclude Foxit Reader Excel Plugin

Foxit Reader 7.x Silent Install (EXE) with Excel Plugin Excluded

FoxitReader736.321_prom_L10N_Setup.exe /COMPONENTS=pdfviewer,ffse,installprint,installprint\converttopdf,installprint\wordaddin,installprint\pptaddin,!installprint\exceladdin,ffaddin,ffspellcheck /VERYSILENT /NORESTART

Exclude Plugin Used to Open PDF Files Inside Browser

Foxit Reader 7.x Silent Install (EXE) with Open PDF Files Inside Browser Excluded

FoxitReader736.321_prom_L10N_Setup.exe /COMPONENTS=pdfviewer,ffse,installprint,installprint\converttopdf,installprint\wordaddin,installprint\pptaddin,installprint\exceladdin,!ffaddin,ffspellcheck /VERYSILENT /NORESTART

Exclude Foxit Spell Check Language

Foxit Reader 7.x Silent Install (EXE) with Spell Check Excluded

FoxitReader736.321_prom_L10N_Setup.exe /COMPONENTS=pdfviewer,ffse,installprint,installprint\converttopdf,installprint\wordaddin,installprint\pptaddin,installprint\exceladdin,ffaddin,!ffspellcheck /VERYSILENT /NORESTART

Disable Foxit Reader Registration

Foxit Reader 7.x Silent Install (EXE) with Registration Disabled

  1. Open an Elevated Command Prompt by Right-Clicking on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator
  2. Enter the following commands:
REG ADD "HKLM\Software\Policies\Foxit\Reader\Preferences" /v DisableRegistration /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
REG ADD "HKLM\Software\Policies\Foxit\Reader\Ribbon\Ribbon_Category_Help\Help_Panel_Registration" /v Help_Registration_Registration /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

Disable Foxit Reader Show Start Page

Foxit Reader 7.x Silent Install (EXE) with Show Start Page Disabled

  1. Open an Elevated Command Prompt by Right-Clicking on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator
  2. Enter the following command:
REG ADD "HKLM\Software\Policies\Foxit\Reader\Preferences" /v ShowStartPage /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

Disable Foxit Reader Advertisement

Foxit Reader 7.x Silent Install (EXE) with Advertisement Disabled

  1. Open an Elevated Command Prompt by Right-Clicking on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator
  2. Enter the following command:
REG ADD "HKLM\Software\Policies\Foxit\Reader\Preferences" /v DisableAdvertise /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

Disable Foxit Reader Automatic Updates

Foxit Reader 7.x Silent Install (EXE) with Auto Updates Disabled

  1. Open an Elevated Command Prompt by Right-Clicking on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator
  2. Enter the following command:
REG ADD "HKLM\Software\Policies\Foxit\Reader\Preferences" /v DisableUpdate /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

How to Uninstall Foxit Reader 7.x Silently

Check out the Foxit PDF Reader Install and Uninstall (PowerShell) post for a scripted solution.

  1. Open an Elevated Command Prompt by Right-Clicking on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator
  2. Enter one of the following commands:

Foxit Reader 7.x Silent Install (EXE) on 32-bit System

"%ProgramFiles%\Foxit Software\Foxit Reader\unins000.exe" /VERYSILENT /NORESTART

Foxit Reader 7.x Silent Install (EXE) on 64-bit System

"%ProgramFiles(x86)%\Foxit Software\Foxit Reader\unins000.exe" /VERYSILENT /NORESTART

Always make sure to test everything in a development environment prior to implementing anything into production. The information in this article is provided “As Is” without warranty of any kind.