The problem is not necessarily Flash Player itself, but some malware is added into a seemingly harmless Adobe Flash Player package, tricking you into downloading a virus. As a result, most web browsers have even started disabling Flash Player content by default for security reasons. Is Adobe Flash Player Safe?įlash Player is a relatively old plug-in (January 1996), it has become increasingly susceptible to malware. Note: On December 31st 2020, Adobe Systems will officially stop updating and distributing Adobe Flash. Previously, Adobe Flash was required to play YouTube videos, now this is no longer the case. The Adobe Flash Player plug-in is used to play videos, games and other interactive content. In addition, users can transform 2D into 3D with easy-to-use APIs and 3D tools, which are provided.
When working with images, users can import GIF, JPEG, and PNG files. It uses Speex audio codec, which provides a low-latency alternative when encoding voices. In addition, it can protect streaming video through devices. And that's a pity, for what is otherwise a much improved operating system.This application also allows users to display compressed high-quality videos for video chat, video conferencing, and live video broadcast. It is just another example where MS has taken control of what gets installed - and patched - away from the user.
The MS philosophy with Windows 10 seems to be "out of sight, out of mind-we know best what you need". In Windows 10, you certainly will not be able to find if security patches to Flash have been installed. Perhaps MS believes it can better control the vulnerabilities inherent in Flash if it keeps it under its wing. Or why the info on disabling it is so well hidden. I don't understand why Microsoft has integrated such a security risk as Flash in its Windows 10 browsers, and made it impossible to uninstall. /flash-player-issues-windows-10-ie.htmlĮven Dell Support seems to think the Flash uninstaller will work in every browser:
At least this site contains instructions on how to Disable ActiveX Filtering:
You do not need to install Flash Player." What it does NOT say is that Flash Player cannot be uninstalled. You have to drill down several links at Adobe to find this: "Flash Player is integrated with Internet Explorer in Windows 10.
"These instructions are NOT applicable to Flash Player included with Microsoft Edge or Internet Explorer on Windows 8 and later or with Google Chrome on all supported operating systems." Their website page on ininstalling Flash Player says: The Adobe Flash Player Uninstall tool does not work in IE 11 or Edge either. (See links at the bottom for instructions).*
You cannot uninstall Flash from either of these browsers in Windows 10- you can only disable it. The fact is, Adobe Flash Player comes pre-installed and is integrated into both IE 11 and Edge browsers on Win 10. I was easily able to confirm that Flash was alive and well in both browsers by visiting Adobe's test site: (It was however listed in Belarc Advisor). It was still present in my both IE 11 and Edge browsers, even if it was not listed in my installed programs. I figured that with Flash gone, there was one less thing to worry about.
So when I finally got a Win 10 system, one of the first things I did was uninstall all Adobe products from my list of installed programs in Control Panel>Programs and Features. I have done so long ago, and never missed it: Security experts and main-stream computer publications have been strongly suggesting for some time now that folks uninstall Adobe Flash as a major security vulnerability in all browsers.