Updating Adobe Flash Player?

[sooflymami]

Adobe Flash Player thing popped up on my screen when I turned on my computer, but it seems like that thing only pops up like few times a month or something after I click "Remind me Later". Is there another way for that thing to pop up again so I can update it?

I also heard from a friend that I need to uninstall the Adobe Flash Player first in order to install the new one if I get it from the official Adobe Flash Player site if I'm not going to update it by that pop up thing from Adobe. So I thought getting from it when Adobe Flash Player install now or remind me later thing would be better but how can I get that to pop up again since it doesn't pop up often?

[Arup]

The player hasn't been updated in Windows for a while.

[innerpeace]

What I do is follow these instructions and run the Flash Uninstaller tool available here. Get the right one for your Operating System. http://kb.adobe.com/selfservice/viewContent.do?externalId=tn_14157

After that is done, go here and click the "Get Adobe Flash Player" link. http://www.adobe.com/ If you have more than one browser you may need to go there in each one. I can't remember if they want to install a toolbar or not but be sure to untick the option if you don't want it.

And then bookmark this thread so you'll always have it handy :).

Edit: This page should tell you your current version. http://kb.adobe.com/selfservice/viewContent.do?externalId=tn_15507

As of now, the current version is WIN 10,0,22,87

[sooflymami]

Is there any way that pop up saying Adobe Flash Player is available install now to pop up if I click somewhere? And what would happen if I goto Add/Remove programs and then uninstall that way and then go to adobe site for both ff and ie?

[innerpeace]

That would be fine also. Just be sure to go to adobe.com to get Flash.

I gave the link to the uninstaller because it's cleaner and may prevent problems. I forgot to mention that the uninstaller does change so a new version needs to be downloaded if you go that route.

Edit: Be sure to close down your browser/s before uninstalling Flash.

[EASTER]

I do the same as innerpeace and since i have so many partitions and drive systems i got tired of having to spend extra time at the adobe site so i just done a single update, went to my TIF folder and saved the adobe flashplayer installer to a pen drive so now whenever i switch systems it's a simple procedure to run it and it's done in about 2 seconds flat.

EASTER

[sooflymami]

Oh okay. But what would happen if I click install now button next time adobe flash player thing pops up on my screen? I have always clicked "Remind me later" all these months or years not sure and never clicked install button yet but would it be safe to download it that way even tho I've always clicked on "remind me later"? Like next time if i click install now instead or remind me later, would it still be safe?

[innerpeace]

To be honest with you, I've never gotten an update notification from Flash Player. I had to look at the settings manager to see that you can change the notification interval.

It should be safe if it really is Flash Player asking for the update. More info is available here.
http://www.macromedia.com/support/documentation/en/flashplayer/help/help10.html

And if you want to change Flash Players settings, it can be done here.
http://www.macromedia.com/support/documentation/en/flashplayer/help/settings_manager.html

P.S. If you Flash Player is not up to date, I would update as soon as you get a chance. It's very important to keep it and java, browsers, etc. updated for security reasons.

[cheater87]

What is the difference between doing it for each browser (Never heard of that) and just installing it to the PC as one download? Why do u have to install it for each browser, if u already downloaded it.

[innerpeace]

No expert, but the Adobe site detects your browser and gives you that specific version. Even if you go to the download page and click "Different operating system or browser?" and then select your OS it gives you 2 links/versions. The IE version is ActiveX whereas the Firefox version is a plugin.

If in doubt go to Secunia and do an online scan and it will tell you if your running any vulnerable Flash versions. Link is in Siggy.

[PROROOTECT]

ATTENTION with popups on your screen, please.


Adobe: BEWARE of Fake Flash downloads: http://blogs.zdnet.com/security/?p=1648


... and InformationsWeek Beware: http://www.informationweek.com/blog/main/archives/2008/08/adobe_fake_flas.html


... and SpywareRemove: Avoid Malware Version of Adobe's Flash Player (Adobe flash.exe):
"spywareremove.com/security/avoid-malware-version-adobe-flash-player-adobe-flash-exe/"

That's enough?

Yours PROROOTECT

[ruinebabine]

I could be wrong but I think there is now only one Adobe Flash Player installer for all the main various browsers. I know it was different previously and we had to run 2 variations of their installer, one being for IE and another for Moz, Opera et al.

If you check there (http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/Adobe-Flash-Player-for-Windows/964714156/1), you will see that, now, the only other available versions are for Mac and Linux O/S.

[JRViejo]

-{ Quote: "I could be wrong but I think there is now only one Adobe Flash Player installer for all the main various browsers." }-
ruinebabine, there are 2 versions of Adobe Flash Player: FileHippo (http://filehippo.com/download_flashplayer/) (IE and Non-IE).

And innerpeace is correct, not only do you need to install the Flash Player independently for IE and Non-IE browsers, there is also a Google toolbar install option in IE only.

[ruinebabine]

-{ Quote: "ruinebabine, there are 2 versions of Adobe Flash Player: FileHippo (http://filehippo.com/download_flashplayer/) (IE and Non-IE).

And innerpeace is correct, not only do you need to install the Flash Player independently for IE and Non-IE browsers, there is also a Google toolbar install option in IE only." }-I stand corrected.
Thanks for this acurate info JRViejo! :thumb:

[JRViejo]

ruinebabine, you are welcome! Take care.

[cheater87]

Why are there 1 for each browser and not just one for all?

[sooflymami]

Why do we have to install Adobe Flash player for each of the browsers? So if I go to the official Adobe site and download it from there, do I need to download the other Adobe Flash Player for FF one in order to watch youtube for example? I'm kind of confused.

[Bubba]

-{ Quote: "Is there another way for that thing to pop up again so I can update it?" }-That and other Flash player settings are accomplished via the Adobe Flash Player Settings Manager (http://www.macromedia.com/support/documentation/en/flashplayer/help/settings_manager.html).

The setting you are asking about is Global Notifications Settings panel (http://www.macromedia.com/support/documentation/en/flashplayer/help/settings_manager05.html)

-{ Quote: "Use the Global Notifications Settings panel to set notifications of updates in Flash Player:

If you want Adobe to automatically notify you when a new version of Flash Player is available, select Notify Me When An Update Is Available. From the pop-up menu, select how frequently you want Flash Player to check for updates. The default selection is 30 days.
If you don't want Adobe to automatically notify you when a new version of Flash Player is available, deselect Notify Me When An Update Is Available.
" }-

-Bubba

[innerpeace]

-{ Quote: "Why are there 1 for each browser and not just one for all?" }-
-{ Quote: "Why do we have to install Adobe Flash player for each of the browsers?" }-

I answered that question when I wrote.
-{ Quote: "No expert, but the Adobe site detects your browser and gives you that specific version. Even if you go to the download page and click "Different operating system or browser?" and then select your OS it gives you 2 links/versions. The IE version is ActiveX whereas the Firefox version is a plugin." }-
Plus I would say the vast majority of internet users only have 1 browser so why would they include all versions.

It's really simple, just download the uninstaller, close your browser/s and run it a couple times. Then go to adobe in each browser one at a time and get Flash Player. Yes it is a pain in the butt but you'll be more secure keeping Flash Player updated.

[Firebytes]

I usually just install a new version of flash player over the top of the old one. I have never noticed a problem in doing so.

[innerpeace]

-{ Quote: "I usually just install a new version of flash player over the top of the old one. I have never noticed a problem in doing so." }-
That will work but from what I understand the old version is not uninstalled and can be a security risk. Do you have multiple versions in add/remove programs? If so they need uninstalled and may leave behind bits and pieces. That's why I use the uninstaller tool when it's time to update Flash.

[Firebytes]

-{ Quote: "That will work but from what I understand the old version is not uninstalled and can be a security risk. Do you have multiple versions in add/remove programs? If so they need uninstalled and may leave behind bits and pieces. That's why I use the uninstaller tool when it's time to update Flash." }-

Nope, only one version listed in Add/Remove programs.

[Firebytes]

Adobe's website seems to imply that it is usually fine to install over the top. They do mention using the uninstaller to remove the old version if you have trouble updating though.

Quote: A version of Adobe Flash Player is pre-installed with most popular Internet browsers. Sometimes, problems with a Flash Player that's already installed can prevent you from upgrading to the latest player. - quoted from here (http://kb.adobe.com/selfservice/viewContent.do?externalId=tn_15511#fixall).


A quote from a user at another forum (I do not know if this is accurate or not, never checked this myself).

Quote: If you install over-top (at least for the Firefox/Opera version), then hit the 'Details' button on the installer, you'll notice that the installer uninstalls the old version before installing the new.


Anyway, I have sometimes used the uninstaller before updating too but I generally don't and as I said I have never noted more than one version installed or any other ill effects from doing so (unlike with Java for instance). It sure can't hurt anything to uninstall the old version first before installing the new one though.

[innerpeace]

-{ Quote: "Nope, only one version listed in Add/Remove programs." }-
Hmmm... Did they fix the not uninstalling issue or am I confusing it with Java? I'm pretty sure Java starting uninstalling/overwriting itself starting late last year. I'm not sure about Flash as I've been in the habit of using the tool.

Edit: I didn't see your post before I wrote this one.

[innerpeace]

-{ Quote: "Anyway, I have sometimes used the uninstaller before updating too but I generally don't and as I said I have never noted more than one version installed or any other ill effects from doing so (unlike with Java for instance). It sure can't hurt anything to uninstall the old version first before installing the new one though." }-
Thanks for the info Firebytes. I think I got to the point where I kept seeing multiple versions with the Secunia Scanner so I started using the uninstaller. It might also keep things a bit cleaner as I normally keep Windows installed for a long time. Plus I'm getting older and set in my ways ;D.

In the past I remember trying to search for info on manually removing old versions and it was a pain. That's probably the other reason I use the tool.

Either way, there should be more than enough info for folks to update Flash easily.

[Firebytes]

My experience with updating Java is that even since they made the change to where it is supposed to remove older versions when the new one is installed is that it still misses removing things from the old version. For instance after installing a new Java version and rebooting I could go into Tools>Add-ons>Plugins in Firefox and still find the old version's plugin listed along with the new one. I tried letting Java update itself after they made the change but went back to my old way of always removing old java versions before installing the new ones.

[Firebytes]

Just an FYI:

I checked and Secunia OSI also shows only one Flash Player version installed on my system.

[innerpeace]

-{ Quote: "Just an FYI:

I checked and Secunia OSI also shows only one Flash Player version installed on my system." }-
:thumb:

As far as Java, I've heard of a tool called JavaRa that is supposed to clean up after Java. I've not used it but it's mentioned frequently at dslreports. Download here: http://majorgeeks.com/download5967.html

More info: http://raproducts.org/javara.html

I can verify Java having 2 different versions in Firefox. Specifically Java(TM) Platform SE 6 U13 and U10. I'm not sure if it's a Firefox or Java issue. It looks easy enough to disable. The download version of Secunia doesn't show a problem.

[JRViejo]

FYI. Once the Flash Player is updated in each browser, they should show in your Add or Remove Programs. In my case, for IE it states: Adobe Flash Player 10 ActiveX and for Firefox: Adobe Flash Player 10 Plugin.

@innerpeace,
Lately, Java is doing a better job of removing old versions, although I still use JavaRa, a very simple tool, just in case.
Do disable that U10 Plugin in your Firefox.

[innerpeace]

Thanks JRViejo for the information and your tips.

[JRViejo]

innerpeace, you're welcome! Take care.

[Firebytes]

-{ Quote: "FYI. Once the Flash Player is updated in each browser, they should show in your Add or Remove Programs. In my case, for IE it states: Adobe Flash Player 10 ActiveX and for Firefox: Adobe Flash Player 10 Plugin." }-

I only install Flash Player for Firefox.

JavaRa:thumb:

[Fly]

I don't want to hijack the thread, but I have the latest version installed (Windows XP Home Edition IE 7) and have tightened the security settings (google 'flash security settings') at the macromedia website as much as seems possible, but on rare occasions I've found Flash cookies on my system.

So it would seem that there is some kind of security leak, or am I doing something wrong ?

[JRViejo]

-{ Quote: "So it would seem that there is some kind of security leak, or am I doing something wrong ?" }-
Fly, go back to the Settings Manager (http://www.macromedia.com/support/documentation/en/flashplayer/help/settings_manager.html) and make sure that the Global Storage Settings panel shows None for the amount of disk space allowed, also remove the check mark (if there) for Allow third-party Flash content to store data on your computer.

Then, go to the Website Storage Settings panel, and make sure that storage settings is now on None. See if that helps.

FYI. Each panel page explains what are the settings for each so spend some time reading those.

[sooflymami]

Okay so it should say Adobe Flash Player Plugin for Firefox? So do I just uninstall where it says that and then go to the official FF site from my FF browser and it should work that way?

[innerpeace]

Do you have Adobe Flash Player entries in add/remove programs? One should be an ActiveX the other a Plugin. The Plugin is the one for Firefox and the ActiveX is for Internet Explorer.

[Fly]

-{ Quote: "Fly, go back to the Settings Manager (http://www.macromedia.com/support/documentation/en/flashplayer/help/settings_manager.html) and make sure that the Global Storage Settings panel shows None for the amount of disk space allowed, also remove the check mark (if there) for Allow third-party Flash content to store data on your computer.

Then, go to the Website Storage Settings panel, and make sure that storage settings is now on None. See if that helps.

FYI. Each panel page explains what are the settings for each so spend some time reading those." }-

The one thing I hadn't done yet was (under Global Storage Settings) setting the amount of disk space to zero. I'll see if that makes a difference.

Thanks.