Solved Silverlight vs Flash browser plugins

[bawldiggle]

Do I need both Silverlight and Flash plugins in my "Firefox" Browser ?

Just found a forum item Silverlight vs. Flash

I have had Silverlight disabled for about 5 months and no noticeable problems, so far.
Web is surfed every day for about 2 to 3 hours.

I know I need one, but do I need both?

 

[marsmimar]

Generally speaking, it's not necessary to have both plug-ins. I think most people have the Flash plug-in simply because Flash is used much more extensively than Silverlight. If you ever come across a site that requires Silverlight you'll get a prompt that you need to install it. So until that time arrives (if it ever does) I'd go so far as to completely remove Silverlight, not just disable it. That's the way I have Firefox set up on my machines and there haven't been any problems.

 

[ThrashZone]

Pretty much the only company that uses Silverlight is Microsoft help videos,
Even Skype uses Flash instead of Silverlight
There isn't any harm in having Silverlight and Flash is much more problematic so I run primarily with it Disabled,
And only Enable it when I want to watch a video beside who really cares if adds play on a website
How to configure your Flash Player settings for maximum privacy and security

 

[bawldiggle]

marsmimar +1
Thank you for your advice
I have decided to uninstall Silverlight.
The update nags were so intrusive I disabled Silverlight many months ago. And have never missed it.

This forum provides better (in my opinion) info and support.


ThrashZone +1
Your link to How to configure your Flash Player settings for maximum privacy and security was a gem.
I never imagined "Flash" could be customized.
And some of the authors "other interests" were amusing too. Worth a look-around.
Thank you

 

[marsmimar]

You're very welcome.

 

[Gary]

marsmimar +1
Thank you for your advice
I have decided to uninstall Silverlight.
The update nags were so intrusive I disabled Silverlight many months ago. And have never missed it.

This forum provides better (in my opinion) info and support.


ThrashZone +1
Your link to How to configure your Flash Player settings for maximum privacy and security was a gem.
I never imagined "Flash" could be customized.
And some of the authors "other interests" were amusing too. Worth a look-around.
Thank you

Dittos from me as well. Great information. WU keeps wanting to update Silverlight all of the time, The same updates I already have. I think I will remove it as well. Thanks again

 

[marsmimar]

Something I should have mentioned concerning Silverlight and other optional products from Microsoft like the Bing Bar. If you uninstall any of these MS products, the next time you run WU they might reappear and want to reinstall themselves. If that should happen, you can hide the update and it won't keep nagging you until such time you decide to restore that hidden update.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/24376-windows-update-hide-restore-hidden-updates.html

My apologies for not including this earlier.

 

[ThrashZone]

I wouldn't think Silverlight's updates would react like that unless there was something blocking the update ?
I find Silverlight fairly docile and it updates +- every few months,
If repeating there might be a underlying issue on your system,
I might try to ask in the Windows update section and see if Noel can find the cause,
Cheers.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/186275-windows-update-fix-repeatedly-offered-update.html

 

[marsmimar]

Not an update to Silverlight. The actual product itself may try to get reinstalled through Windows Update.

 

[ThrashZone]

As far as I know the last version was released 7/9/13 version 5.1.20513.0
http://www.microsoft.com/getsilverlight/Get-Started/Install/Default.aspx
If the above link shows (Your ready to use Microsoft Silverlight) then yes you can simply Hide the reoccurring update. Note if Silverlight is Disabled you'll be prompted to download it/ Alt+TA
or Uninstall it all together if anyone wishes to.
There has been a string of Windows updates that have been reoccurring lately/ ie10-Office Outlook and now Silverlight ?
Very odd indeed only Outlook on my end but that was corrected without Hiding the update = just left it in the queue and now it's gone.

I did remember one site which uses Silverlight
Netflix !

 

[A Guy]

Silverlight and Bing toolbar are offered often by WU as marsmimar mentioned. I have never had either, by MS sure wants me too I hide the update, but apparently when they have a new version, they are so kind as to offer it again :devil:

A Guy

 

[bawldiggle]

@ Gary (post #6)
With the passage of time and contributions by others -- I have changed my mind on Silverlight.
I will retain it but with the Firefox Plugin set to "Never Activate"
IF ever needed I can simply "activate" although it will probaly need a truck load of updates.
A hit or miss decision! Only time will tell.
----------
@marsmimar (post #7)
Windows Update - Hide or Restore Hidden Updates ... another treasure.
Windows updates on WinXP have always raised my anxiety levels.
More than once windows or features or settings went pear-shaped after an XP update.
Your suggestion has given me back my right to control updates in Win7
... and to think about 14 months ago I loathed Win7

Thank you
----------
@ A Guy (post #11)
LOL ... MS = benevolence. :sarc:

 

[theveterans]

@ GaryGhost2

I use Silverlight since I'm subscribed to cable TV. Their online services which allows you to watch live TV or Video on Demand on any browser requires Silverlight. Silverlight IMO isn't that bad and I think it's far less targeted by bad guys than Flash. The problem with Silverlight is that it uses a lot more CPU than flash and this makes the fan on my laptop spin faster.

 

[bawldiggle]

Thanks "theveterans"
I have decided to retain Silverlight although I have the plugin disabled in Firefox.
Just realised I was able to watch some streamed TV today even with Silverlight disabled?

My brain is starting to hurt !!

 

[theveterans]

Hmm. I guess it means your streaming TV service uses html5 instead of Silverlight. Well, Netflix (streaming service) already transitioned from Silverlight to HTML 5 when Windows 8.1 comes (source: Netflix switches from Silverlight to HTML5 in Windows 8.1, reduces CPU usage dramatically | ExtremeTech) I do hope they do the same for Windows 7 when IE 11 is RTMed.