Can not update Flash Player

[crgibson]

I have Flash Player on my laptop and desktop PC's. My laptop has no problems updating FP. My desktop just will not update. I download the file (install_flashplayer15x32_mssd_aaa_aih) from Adobe but all I get is the black box with heading Adobe Flash Player Installer. It does nothing.

I have to uninstall FP from my pc and then go get a new version from Adobe and reinstall it. Any ideas as to why this is happening?

Thanks for any help.

 

[Callender]

Flash Player issues

A couple of questions for you?

What browsers are installed? (or portable browsers)

Do you have any other software installed that might be using flash? Secunia PSI is a good example.

Also try the direct download links:

For Internet Explorer (ActiveX version Flash Player): http://download.macromedia.com/pub/flashplayer/current/support/install_flash_player_ax.exe

For Mozilla Firefox, Opera and other NPAPI-based browsers (NPAPI version Flash Player): http://download.macromedia.com/pub/flashplayer/current/support/install_flash_player.exe

It's actually best practice to fully remove old versions using the Flash Player Removal Tool before installing the updated version(s).

Removal Tool: https://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/uninstall-flash-player-windows.html

Note: Follow all steps including the last one which is reboot!

 

[crgibson]

Callender - Thanks for the reply.

1 - I have Firefox and Internet Explorer (which I never use) installed on both PC's.
2 - I have no idea what other software I have that might be using FP (and don't know how to find out).

I use Hippo Update Checker find updates and on my laptop I just download the suggested file and it updates. I was hoping to get my desktop to do the same thing but I guess that I'll keep doing what I was doing (remove and install).

One question: Your "Note: Follow all steps including the last one which is reboot!" No where in the removal tool OR the install did I come across anything about rebooting. I always reboot after any uninstall but not after a new install. Is this the correct way?

Thanks for your help.

 

[Callender]

Flash Player

The problem with updating flash player rather than clean installing it is that sometimes traces of the old version are left behind and can cause problems.

Removal Tool instructions state:

Step 4. Verify that uninstallation is complete

Restart your computer.

or

Open your browser and check the status of Flash Player.

Restarting your computer flushes the system cache and is the best way to do it!

So If you ran the removal tool, deleted the files and folders shown and rebooted then used the direct download links to install Flash Player (both versions) it should install.

Reading your original post again you're saying that every time an update is available you need to remove flash player? Removing it fully is the correct way anyway rather than simply updating.

The only thing I can think of is that you've got another program running that's using flash. Take a look at the icons in your system tray to see what's running. If you're using an instant messaging client that could cause the problem.

If you like you could download the portable version of UVK: UVK - Ultra Virus Killer

Portable download links are shown near the bottom of the page. If you run the program and choose "Scan and create log" using the following options:



You could upload the log and attach it to your next post and I'll take a look at what's running on your machine.

 

[Callender]

Another idea

I've had another idea. You can still post the requested log if you like.

The next time a flash player update is available - don't update it using File Hippo Update Checker or manually. Try downloading PatchMyPC and letting that take care of it. Report back if there are problems using this method.

Link to download: https://patchmypc.net/download

It runs without installation.

 

[crgibson]

Callender I'll try the "Patchmypc" the next time there is a update for Flash Player. If it works, I won't post the log. I'll let you know.

Thanks for the reply and suggestion.

 

[Callender]

Flash Player update

Callender I'll try the "Patchmypc" the next time there is a update for Flash Player. If it works, I won't post the log. I'll let you know.

Thanks for the reply and suggestion.

Patchmypc installs updates silently (no user interaction required - other than running the program) so if it encounters a problem - post the error message!

Let's hope it works.

 

[A Guy]

You can also try installing Flash in Safe Mode. Either via web installer and Safe Mode with Networking, or better choice, the stand alone installer. If using the stand alone, choose the .exe installer as the Windows Installer is disabled in safe mode (it can be enabled, but takes extra steps).

https://www.adobe.com/in/products/flashplayer/distribution3.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/69585-safe-mode.html

A Guy

 

[Keithuk]

I've updated all Adobe Flash Player updates for years from FileHippo which goes to the Adobe site. When you try to install/update it says I need to uninstall previous version first. Why do you need to uninstall now when all previous versions install the update without uninstalling, that seems crazy to me.

Updates can come out weekly so its an unnecessary thing to uninstall first. The fact that updates come out that often tells me they have cocked up on previous updates. That's like FireFox can be updated weekly and the new version works just the same as the old one.

 

[Callender]

Update Flash Player

Why do you need to uninstall now when all previous versions install the update without uninstalling, that seems crazy to me.

Well the updater doesn't remove the old versions and eventually it will cause problems.

See this old article. The principle is still the same:

Update your Flash player now--and do it right

Quote: "Installing the latest version of Flash has never uninstalled the old buggy versions. From my Defensive Computing standpoint, I want to always ensure that old buggy software is fully removed."

Edit:

Quote: "Run the Secunia Software Inspector and turn on the checkbox for a "thorough system inspection." This is a great way to ensure there are none of the old, vulnerable versions of the Flash player anywhere on your computer, even in nonstandard locations."

Direct download link for Secunia Software Inspector:

Warning - Clicking this link will initiate a download

https://secunia.com/PSI2Setup.exe