An "almost annoying" feature of my Adobe Reader is that nearly every time I open a .pdf file (especially from the web) I'm asked if I want to check for Reader updates. Occasionally I have allowed it to run the check, and invariably it tells me it's added something new - and the $%#@* thing slows down even more.

(Note that you need to be able to recognize the "real Adobe" query to distinguish it from a fake popup you might(?) get from a malicious site. The most common places where I get a prompt are at .gov sites, since they seem to use "bizarre features" that might trigger the check for uncommonly used things.)

I assume that it does the same for everyone, although my Reader is a component of the full program (create, edit, and read) that we had to get for business purposes.

Occasionally going back to the source probably is a good idea.

If there is a conflict with AV or other "protection" programs, you should get a prompt to tell you that something's being blocked, although with some programs you can turn off the notification feature(s). Your AV (even McAfee) should have a log that will let you see if it remembers doing anything.

John