The Adobe download manager is part of the normal install of Adobe Reader and Flash that allows Adobe to bundle additional software with their products. After the download manager is installed, Reader/Flash along with other software (Adobe Air) can be downloaded and installed. When dial-up Internet connections where common download managers provided a valuable benefit. Now with more stable broadband Internet connections and modern content distribution technologies bundled download managers, such as the Adobe download manager, seem to be used more to spread the install of unwanted software.
Adobe download manager also does not have a good security track record. In 2010 an exploit allowed an attacker to download and install any software they want on your computer with the Adobe download manager.
Both Adobe Reader and Adobe Flash are available for download without the download manager but Adobe seems to make those links hard to find. Primarily intended for enterprises, the direct download links can be used by end users.
Simply click on the direct link below and install:
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