Error 156 causes installation failure

Last updated on Jul 30, 2025

Learn how to resolve error code 156 "Unable to create the symbolic link" during Adobe app installation.

Error code 156 indicates that the installer failed to create a shortcut as defined in the installer configuration.

Solution

  1. Select the Installation failed link in the error message.

  2. In the error dialog box, select view error log to view the path of the affected file or the registry value.

  3. Navigate to the file or folder using File Explorer on Windows and Finder on macOS. 

  4. Check the permissions on the specified directory and its parent directory.

  5. Delete any old shortcut with the same name, if present.

  6. Select Retry in the error dialog box to download and install the app again.

If the error occurred on Windows 10, disable Controlled folder access in Windows Security.