Can't run Flash Player

For some reason, I lost Flash Player and have been trying to download and install it. It is installed but doesn’t run; it’s just dead. I can’t pay bills online, or view countless sites, as you all know. I didn’t realize how critical Flash is to computing life until I lost it. I have Windows 7, 64 bit.
I’ve installed from Adobe and have searched for alternative programs that perform the same function, no luck. (see attached)

Don’t know if a clean install would resolve this. As always, I ask to pick your brilliant brains for ideas. ellen




For tyranny to prevail requires simply that enough good men do nothing—Edmund Burke

If you're talking about Adobe Flash Player instead of Adobe Shockwave Flash, try running the official Adobe Flash Uninstaller. You may have some old bits and pieces of Flash remaining on your computer that are preventing a clean install of a new/fresh copy. Important to follow all steps exactly as presented, especially Step 3, Item 3.

Uninstall Flash Player | Windows

Appreciate all replies. I'm going to do the uninstall as suggested. Meanwhile, as for working in Internet Explorer, I never use IE: 1)Firefox 2) chrome, 3) Opera. I have NoScript in FF and Script Safe in Chrome, but neither comes up on some sites.
If I am able to install/run Flash in IE, will it run in the other browsers or just IE which I'm reluctant to use?
It's strange: I see Flash 12 in Contorl Panel, Programs but it's not in C: Program Files.
Thanks again.

ellenc said:

Appreciate all replies. I'm going to do the uninstall as suggested. Meanwhile, as for working in Internet Explorer, I never use IE: 1)Firefox 2) chrome, 3) Opera. I have NoScript in FF and Script Safe in Chrome, but neither comes up on some sites.
If I am able to install/run Flash in IE, will it run in the other browsers or just IE which I'm reluctant to use?
It's strange: I see Flash 12 in Contorl Panel, Programs but it's not in C: Program Files.
Thanks again.

There are basically two versions of Adobe Flash. One for IE and one for all other browsers (Firefox, Chrome, etc.) If you're using IE and visit the official Adobe Player Download Center it will automatically recognize which browser you're using and provide the appropriate Player version. (Don't forget to uncheck any optional offered add-ons in the center column if you don't want them.) If you're using one of the other browsers, same thing. Automatic recognition of the browser.

Seeing Flash in control panel > programs but not in C: could be a result of those left behind bits and pieces.

Hello ellenc,

ellenc said:

It's strange: I see Flash 12 in Contorl Panel, Programs but it's not in C: Program Files.

I don't understand your attachment in post #1 and what it means...
I'm not sure what you see in Control Panel showing version 12, but,
Flash version 12 is BETA right now (Dec-04-2013)
Flash version 11.9.... is the "Current Official" release
This thread has the latest version info:
Latest Version of Adobe Flash Player

Maybe you somehow installed a BETA version that is not working...???

This is what I see when I open Flash Player from Control Panel:





I've never used a Flash BETA version, but it looks like there is a different uninstall utility for that version...
This is from the uninstall link marsmimar gave you in post #3:

In W7-64 I see Flash installed in these two folders:
C:\Windows\System32\Macromed\Flash
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash

I don't see anything in "C:\Program Files" or "C:\Program Files (x86)" for flash.

Here is what I see in C:\Windows\System32\Macromed\Flash



This page lists the current Flash (non-BETA) versions:
https://www.adobe.com/software/flash/about/

Note: Chrome uses a different (built in) version of Flash than IE or Firefox...
I don't have Chrome installed now, so I can't help more with that...