Important First Steps:

  • Monkrus has no connection to GenP, other than being listed here as an alternative option. Monkrus uses GenP files and methods to prepatch his own versions, except for Acrobat, which uses a different patching method after it has been fully installed.

Installation Recommendations:

  • Install with your antivirus fully disabled.
  • Run autoplay.exe as Administrator.
  • If you encounter issues, run setup.exe in the Adobe 202x folder as Administrator instead.

Is Monkrus safe as it shows up as a virus?

  • If you are posting about virus warnings or online scanners like VirusTotal showing it as some kind of malicious file, then these are all false positives and can be ignored.
  • These detections occur because the necessary Adobe files have been prepatched using GenP’s methods and files, except for Acrobat, allowing the software to function without a genuine subscription.
  • Most will typically be categorised as HackTool or Patcher, including Monkrus. Microsoft states: “This family of hack tools is used to patch or crack certain software, enabling it to run without a valid license or genuine product key.”
  • If you downloaded your version directly from Monkrus own website, avoid prepatched or cracked versions from third-party sources.
  • Third-party cracked software and torrents frequently distribute repackaged Monkrus versions, often stripping out all references to its origin to misrepresent them as original work.
  • Some third-party sites bundle unnecessary files that are already included in the autoplay.exe install. They may also include unsafe external copies of GenP, which should never be used with Monkrus versions.
  • Certain third-party sources have a well-documented history of embedding malicious files, making them both unreliable and untrustworthy, regardless of user claims.

Troubleshooting:

  • Always first refer back to Monkrus own FAQ Section on the torrent tracker for the specific app being used, or browse through the comments section on Monkrus website.
  • Most Monkrus issues can often be resolved by referring to these resources, as they have likely been addressed by others before.

Pop-ups on Monkrus Versions:

  • If you installed Monkrus versions using setup.exe in the Adobe 202x folder as Administrator instead of autoplay.exe, you will need to manually execute the RunOnce.cmd yourself.

Previous Method:

  • Previously, if you installed Monkrus versions using autoplay.exe, they would automatically add a firewall rule into Outbound Rules in Windows Defender to block the apps.
  • In CC2025 versions, Monkrus added the latest lines to the hosts file on install using autoplay.exe, Monkrus just used the same lines as GenP had been doing for many years now, he just made use of the pihole list instead of the general list that you would use if doing it yourself manually.
  • Monkrus previous method also added a scheduled task that updated your hosts file when you first logged onto your device, again which just used the same lines as GenP did.

New Method:

  • Monkrus now uses the newer AdobeGenP anti-popup patches. During install via autoplay.exe, his versions execute two files contained within AdobeUnlicensedPopupBlocker.zip located in the UNPP folder at Adobe 202x\products\UNPP. These files remove previously added firewall rules and exclude certain Adobe-related entries in your hosts file.

hosts.txt

.adobe.io
.adobestats.io
.hstatic.io
lcs-cops.adobe.io
lcs-robs.adobe.io

RunOnce.cmd

netsh advfirewall firewall delete rule name="Adobe Unlicensed Pop-up" dir=out
netsh advfirewall firewall delete rule name="Adobe Unlicensed Pop-up Blocker" dir=out
schtasks /delete /f /tn "Adobe Pop-up Blocker"
schtasks /delete /f /tn "AdobeGCInvoker-1.0"
schtasks /delete /f /tn "Adobe-Genuine-Software-Integrity-Scheduler-1.0"
sc stop AGMService
sc stop AGSService
sc delete AGMService
sc delete AGSService
taskkill /f /t /im "Adobe Genuine Launcher.exe"
taskkill /f /t /im AdobeCleanUpUtility.exe
taskkill /f /t /im AdobeGCClient.exe
taskkill /f /t /im AGCInvokerUtility.exe
taskkill /f /t /im AGMService.exe
taskkill /f /t /im agshelper.exe
taskkill /f /t /im AGSService.exe
rmdir /s /q "%CommonProgramFiles(x86)%\Adobe\AdobeGCClient"
findstr /l /i /v /g:"%~dp0hosts.txt" "%WINDIR%\system32\drivers\etc\hosts">"%WINDIR%\system32\drivers\etc\hosts.new"
move /y "%WINDIR%\system32\drivers\etc\hosts.new" "%WINDIR%\system32\drivers\etc\hosts"
ipconfig /flushdns
rmdir /s /q "%CommonProgramFiles%\Adobe\Adobe Unlicensed Pop-up Blocker"

Code Breakdown:

Delete Firewall Rules:

  • Deletes specific outbound firewall rules.

Delete Scheduled Tasks:

  • Deletes scheduled tasks related to Adobe.

Stop and Delete Services:

  • Stops and deletes services associated with Adobe.

Kill Adobe-related Processes:

  • Forcefully closes active Adobe processes.

Remove Directory:

  • Deletes the AdobeGCClient directory.

Modify Hosts File:

  • The script creates hosts.new, filtering out entries matching hosts.txt.
  • hosts.new then replaces the original hosts file, ensuring unwanted entries are removed while preserving essential ones.

Flush DNS Cache:

  • Clears the DNS resolver cache.

Remove Additional Directory:

  • Deletes his Adobe Unlicensed Pop-up Blocker directory that was installed at C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe.

Points of Clarification:

  • The script removes only specified firewall rules, leaving other existing rules untouched.
  • It only filters entries from the hosts file that match those in hosts.txt. If no matches are found, the hosts file remains unchanged.

Direct Exclusions from Hosts File:

  • The command affects entries with specific suffixes, ensuring any matching lines in the hosts file are omitted from the final version.

Extras (Frequently referenced in app comments sections, but not covered in FAQ Section):

Acrobat Pro x64 Crack or 7z SFX errors:

  • Run setup.exe in Adobe Acrobat Pro folder, extract crack.exe in the same folder, replace the three Acrobat files, and run install.cmd as Administrator.

Acrobat Pro Upgrade/Reactivate Subscription Popup:

  • Close Acrobat and run crack.exe in the Adobe Acrobat Pro folder with your antivirus fully disabled.

Additional Help:

  • Always make use of the Search function, you will find that your post has most likely been asked about many times before.
  • Never mix non-genuine and genuine versions, whether it is software or accounts.
  • Never mix Monkrus and GenP; use only one method, which in this case should be Monkrus, and do not run GenP on Monkrus.
  • Do not use a virtual IP address from a VPN or Proxy, as it will circumvent local settings such as the hosts file or firewall rules.
  • If using a firewall, ensure it is enabled, or any rules set up through Windows Defender or third-party programs will not be applied.
  • If the popup persists after updating your hosts file with the latest entries, try locating the missing additional line manually using the method outlined in the ‘Hosts File / Firewall Rule Manual Setup’ section.
  • We are not an additional form of Adobe Support. If you have an in-app issue or question that is not Monkrus related, post it on the appropriate apps own Adobe Subreddit instead.

Updating Monkrus versions:

  • To update Monkrus versions, simply install the newer version over the old one, and it will overwrite the existing version. Note that any new major release will install as a separate version.

Generative AI:

  • Generative AI features do not work - Any posts on these will be removed.
  • These features have been incorporated into the subscription model with monthly credits, requiring an active subscription or trial to fully access them; without this, access to these features will be restricted.
  • Certain Generative AI features currently in Beta testing may work for you, however access will be restricted once they are fully integrated into the subscription model.
  • Free Adobe account users receive 25 free credits a month that can be used online on either Adobe Firefly or Adobe Express websites.

Remember that Monkrus is not connected to GenP; it is supported here purely for installation purposes and basic help.

  • If you don’t get the assistance you need, post your question directly on Monkrus website in the appropriate app’s comments section.