Windows 10 and Adobe Flash Player

Question

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. I have done so long ago, and never missed it:www.smh.com.au/.../why-you-should-uninstall-adobe-flash-player-20151015-gk9l5k.html 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 figured that with Flash gone, there was one less thing to worry about. But I was wrong. It was still present in my both IE 11 and Edge browsers, even if it was not listed in my installed programs. (It was however listed in Belarc Advisor). I was easily able to confirm that Flash was alive and well in both browsers by visiting Adobe's test site:helpx.adobe.com/flash-player.html The fact is, Adobe Flash Player comes pre-installed and is integrated into both IE 11 and Edge browsers on Win 10. You cannot uninstall Flash from either of these browsers in Windows 10- you can only disable it. (See links at the bottom for instructions).* The Adobe Flash Player Uninstall tool does not work in IE 11 or Edge either. Their website page on ininstalling Flash Player says:'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.'helpx.adobe.com/.../uninstall-flash-player-windows.html You have to drill down several links at Adobe to find this: 'Flash Player is integrated with Internet Explorer in Windows 10. You do not need to install Flash Player.' What it does NOT say is that Flash Player cannot be uninstalled. At least this site  contains instructions on how to Disable ActiveX Filtering:helpx.adobe.com/.../flash-player-issues-windows-10-ie.html Even Dell Support seems to think the Flash uninstaller will work in every browser:www.dell.com/.../en 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. Or why the info on disabling it is so well hidden. Perhaps MS believes it can better control the vulnerabilities inherent in Flash if it keeps it under its wing. In Windows 10, you certainly will not be able to find if security patches to Flash have been installed. The MS philosophy with Windows 10 seems to be 'out of sight, out of mind-we know best what you need'. It is just another example where MS has taken control of what gets installed - and patched - away from the user. And that's a pity, for what is otherwise a much improved operating system. *How to Disable Adobe Flash in Microsoft Edge on Windows 10www.tenforums.com/.../8376-microsoft-edge-adobe-flash-player-enable-disable-windows-10-a.html*How to uninstall/disable Adobe Flash in other browsers (including IE 11) on Windows 10www.howtogeek.com/.../

RoHe · Answer

In Windows 10, you certainly will not be able to find if security patches to Flash have been installed.

Yes you can. In Win 10, go to Settings>Update and Security. Then follow the Update History link to find your list of updates. It will list Flash updates there.

I started using a brand new Inspiron laptop yesterday for first time. Win 10 updated itself and the history shows that a Flash update was installed yesterday...

joe53 · Answer

I stand corrected.

You are referring to KB3167685, which just showed up today as "ready to install". More info here:
support.microsoft.com/.../3167685
technet.microsoft.com/.../MS16-083

After I installed it, I see it upgraded my Flash version to the latest - 22.x

That patch was not listed when I wrote that post. I note that MS rates this update as "Critical", and would have thought it would install automatically like all the other Windows security patches. But I guess Flash is different.

Thanks for the heads up.

RoHe · Answer

I left out a couple of steps. On the Windows Update screen in Win 10, click Advanced Options and on that page click View your update history:

josefin1 · Answer

Here is how to disable flash in edge Browser

1 – Now, click on three dots at the top of edge browser. After that click on settings.

2 – Now scroll down to click View Advanced Settings

3 – now, turn off the radio button of adobe flash player to disable flash.

Source:- http://merabheja.com/disable-flash-in-edge-browser/

kaheanwong · Answer

I have uninstalled the Windows 10 and Adobe Flash Player... and for the brows chrome have the option to allow and disallow also and for your thanks tips good but now is up to date ...

Thanks

Kahean Wong

Virus & Spyware

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