Ordinary users usually do not care about updating software installed on computers, since for most software products, updates are almost always installed automatically. But not in the case of a browser add-on in the form of Adobe Flash Player. How to update the flash player will be described in more detail below, since the installation of the latest version of this extension has its own nuances that many users do not pay attention to.
What is a flash player?
We will start the consideration of the main issue somewhat from afar and for a start we will focus on understanding what this software is.
Despite its name, Flash Player in the usual sense of the player as such is not. Yes, he is responsible for playing multimedia content on the Internet, but is present in browsers exclusively in the form of an add-on or the so-called extension. That is, the player does not have its own interface. Its software components are integrated into web browsers, and when trying to play audio or video, they take part in this process directly, although they work in the background. Like most other programs, updating the flash player for Windows automatically will not work. We will dwell on this a bit later, but for now let's see why an update is generally required.
Why do I need to update the player?
It is clear that new versions of any software component contain certain corrections, additions, or even innovations. For the correct operation and use of existing or new functions, you just need to install the update. In this regard, the flash player is somewhat reminiscent of the driver. But, if, when the driver is outdated, the device to which it corresponds, even if somehow, works, in the case of a new version of the flash player, playing multimedia in the browser becomes completely impossible. And this, by the way, applies to some other elements of sites with which the add-in has direct and most direct interaction (for example, the operation of buttons activating the execution of Java scripts may be disabled).
How to update a flash player: standard technique
Now directly about the update methodology. Actually, updating this process can be called very conditionally.
The fact is that all the actions are performed exclusively by the user who needs to download the installation file for the updated version of "Adobe Flash Player" from the official site, and then install it yourself.
The saddest thing is that even after the installation file is fully downloaded, its automatic launch is not provided, and the user has to start it on behalf of the administrator (necessarily) with his own hand.
Update Nuances
How to update a flash player, in general terms a little clear. There should be no questions here. However, you must immediately pay attention to some pitfalls.
The very first and most important thing - when visiting the page, carefully look at offers for installing additional affiliate software (McAfee antivirus, Chrome browser, Yahoo! search tools, etc.), otherwise problems may arise (conflicts with the installed antivirus, spontaneous change browser or search engines installed by default, and much more).
But after the installation is completed, the executable file through which it was produced will be automatically deleted from the system, even without first being placed in the "Trash". In addition, the plug-in during installation automatically integrates absolutely with all browsers available in the system.
Note: if you are planning to update the flash player on Windows 7 or any other system, keep in mind that when you activate this process, all web browsers or programs that can use this add-in must be disabled. Otherwise, either an error message appears or the extension does not install correctly.
How to update a flash player to the latest version if the update is blocked?
As for bypassing possible locks, which is often observed in Crimea, the solution may be to use various kinds of VPN clients when visiting the official resource in browsers that can change the external IP address of a user’s computer, or go directly to the page for the USA (in Opera browser The latest modifications VPN client is available in a predefined form).
Also, if we are talking about programs that can apply for updates on the Internet, as an option, utilities like SafeIP, which change external addresses for the entire system as a whole, are good. Finally, the installation file of the latest version of the player can be downloaded not from the official resource, but from the Runet, only after downloading it would be desirable to check for viruses. Just in case, although this is not necessary, you can turn off the Internet connection for the duration of the installation.
Should I disable the updater at startup?
Here is a brief summary of how to upgrade a flash player. Unresolved is only the issue of startup management. Even after the first installation, the program creates its own element in the form of a client, monitoring the release of new versions of the player, and integrates it into the list of applications starting with the operating system. On the one hand, there is nothing wrong with this, on the other hand, with too many simultaneously loaded elements, its presence can affect the increase in the start time of the system or the consumption of system resources. In principle, you can disable this client. You can find out that the add-in version is out of date, directly in the browser, if the media stops playing, or some elements do not work. Sometimes a message may appear asking you to install an update. So whether to disable the autoload of the updater or not, each user decides for himself. By and large, there is not much difference here. But due to the deactivation of this applet, it will be possible to additionally free up system resources (a little, of course, but at least something).