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Flash Player Problems With Vista
Windows Vista, love it or hate it, is here to stay (until the arrival of Windows 7, that is). Like all new operating systems, Windows Vista has its fair share of flaws and drawbacks. Macromedia Flash, while robust and versatile, has been known to come into conflict with Vista, resulting in a Flash player that is inoperable or occasionally locks up the system.
Most Windows Vista users will be able to correct any Flash player errors by simply uninstalling and reinstalling Macromedia Flash. This will remove any corrupt file, damaged preferences, or errant registry keys that may be contributing to Flash player errors. Follow the steps below to uninstall and reinstall Flash:
- Uninstall Flash via the Adobe uninstall tool - Found here (http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/141/tn_14157.html), this tool is the only way to completely remove Macromedia Flash from your system. Choose the version that is appropriate for your operating system, download, and then run the program.
Once the program has run it will have completely removed Flash from your computer. You can verify this by trying to visit any Flash-enabled website.
- Reinstall Flash - Once Flash has been completely uninstalled, reinstall Flash by visiting the Adobe Flash website (http://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/). Be sure to download the latest version (as of this writing it was version 10).
Many people do not want to download the latest version of Macromedia Flash. While we strongly recommend that you download the latest version of Flash for security and compatibility reasons, if you want to download an earlier version of Flash follow the steps below:
- Uninstall Flash via the Adobe uninstall tool - Found here (http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/141/tn_14157.html), this tool is the only way to completely remove Macromedia Flash from your system. Choose the version that is appropriate for your operating system, download, and then run the program.
Once the program has run it will have completely removed Flash from your computer. You can verify this by trying to visit any Flash-enabled website.
- Download Flash player 9 - Found here (http://www.filehippo.com/download_flashplayer_ie/4007/), download the executable and follow the installation instructions. Ensure that you have downloaded the version of Macromedia Flash that is compatible with your operating system.
Please note that certain Flash applets, movies, games, or music clips may not function/crash if they are not compatible with Flash player 9.
If Flash Player Errors with Vista Persist
If uninstalling and then reinstalling Flash don't solve the problem then you can assume that something on your computer is causing the errors or that the particular Flash file you are trying to view has not been programmed correctly. Try the fixes below, as they solve most Flash player errors.
- Clear your browsing history/cache - Instructions on how to do this vary for each web browser. Clearing your browsing history/cache will remove files that are saved for quick-access, forcing your computer to redownload them. If the files were corrupt, and the source of your errors as a result, this will fix the errors.
- Ensure that no spyware/malware/viruses are causing the errors - Download a good antivirus and antispyware application and perform a full system scan. Make sure that every file is scanned, and delete/quarantine any infections that are found. Aside from causing errors with running applications, such as Macromedia Flash, spyware/malware/viruses also slow down your computer.
- Check your internet connection - Many people with slow internet connections experience Flash player errors that are related to the speed of their connection. A slow internet connection will take more time to download the Flash applet. Many people mistake the prolonged download time with Flash becoming unresponsive.