How to be sure Flash Player is gone everywhere in Win10-1909?

Topic

New Reply

On my Windows 10 Pro, version 1909 (18363.1198), there is no listing in Apps & Features for Flash Player and at the Adobe website at Flash Player Help for testing to see if it is installed, it says “FP is either not installed or not enabled.”

However, I do have files and folders in four major locations: in C:\Windows\system32\Macromed\Flash, in C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash, in %appdata%\Adobe\Flash Player, and in %appdata%\Macromedia\Flash Player. These folders are mentioned at Uninstall Flash Player | Windows.

Should I delete those files and folders?

Reply | Quote

Replies

Coupled with the question above is another one, having to do with Flash Player inside my browsers (Firefox, Legacy Edge, and Beta Edge):

I am using Firefox {84.0.1} as my main browser and there is no Flash Player Plug-in there.

I want to have another browser, in case some problem comes up and the advice is to try another one.
I have Beta Edge (Version 88.0.705.29) installed. (I think it was installed some time before Chredge was officially released, perhaps when Legacy Edge asked if I wanted to try it.) Does Beta Edge have its own rendition of Flash Player? If so, how do I tell if Flash is disabled there (or alternatively, how do I disable it there)?

I also have Legacy Edge {Edge 44.18362.449.0/ EdgeHTML 18.18363}, but I don’t purposely use it. Sometimes, it opens when I do a search in the search field in the taskbar. Does it have its own rendition of Flash Player, too? How do I tell if Flash is disabled there? Or should I uninstall this old Edge? And, if I uninstall it, will Beta Edge automatically open instead of Legacy/old Edge when there’s a search at Start > Search?

Reply | Quote

WCHS wrote:

Should I delete those files and folders?

Linked from the Adobe link in the Flash EOL blogpost, which you found above:

Choose Start > Run.
Copy and paste the following and click OK. C:\Windows\system32\Macromed\Flash
Delete all the files in this folder.
Follow [same] steps … for the following:
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash
%appdata%\Adobe\Flash Player
%appdata%\Macromedia\Flash Player

If you also come across a permission problem, see this thread for ideas that may help.

5 users thanked author for this post.

debu, crosbyfwilliam, rc primak, RockFox, WCHS

Reply | Quote

So, are you suggesting to delete those files and folders, EVEN IF there is no evidence of it (Flash Player) in Apps & Features or at the Adobe website for installation-disablement testing?

Reply | Quote

The way I read their post, that seems to be their suggestion…
🙂

Reply | Quote

There’s a Macromedia folder in your user folder, too.

The other two can easily be removed by taking ownership of the folder in the Security tab in the window that opens when you right click and select Properties.

1 user thanked author for this post.

rc primak

Reply | Quote

WCHS wrote:

I have Beta Edge (Version 88.0.705.29) installed

Download and install ChrEdge to replace your beta version.
Installing ChrEdge will remove your legacy Edge too.
In ChrEdge settings check that Flash is off.

2 users thanked author for this post.

jburk07, rc primak

Reply | Quote

Alex5723 wrote:

Download and install ChrEdge to replace your beta version. Installing ChrEdge will remove your legacy Edge too. In ChrEdge settings check that Flash is off.

“Because Flash will no longer be supported after 2020, it is turned off by default in the NEW Microsoft Edge” – aka Chredge.

Confirmed via Settings/ Cookies & Site Permissions/ Adobe Flash = Button is in OFF position. I use Chredge Mostly to check IF Addons are (likely) blocking FF from opening a site.

W10 Pro 21H2 / Hm-Stdnt Ofce '16 C2R / HP Envy Desktop-Ethernet/ i5(8th) 12GB / GP=2 + FtrU=Semi-Annual + Feature Defer = 1 + QU=0

1 user thanked author for this post.

WCHS

Reply | Quote

I haven’t tested myself, but I understood that the Adobe Flash Player version installed by Windows/Edge could be removed by KB4577586 per Susan Bradley’s 27-Oct-2020 post Patch Lady – Saying Goodbye to Flash and the MS support article Update for the Removal of Adobe Flash Player: October 27, 2020. Standalone .msu installers (download to desktop, right-click, and choose “Run as Administrator”) for that removal tool are currently available for testing on the Microsoft Update Catalog at https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=KB4577586 for various Windows editions.  For example, the 32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x64) removal tools for Win 10 v1909 are available at https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=KB4577586 1909 if I search that catalog for “KB4577586 1909“.  I gather that Flash removal tool will eventually be pushed out to home consumers via Windows Update and run automatically in the near future (perhaps during the upcoming Jan 2021 Patch Tuesday on 12-Jan-2021?).

Does anyone know if running the .msu standalone installer for Microsoft’s KB4577586 Flash removal tool removes the Windows/Edge-installed Flash files in the C:\Windows\System32\Macromed\Flash and C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash folders as well as the Windows/Edge-installed Flash Player (32-bit) control panel at Control Panel | System and Security?
————-
64-bit Win 10 Pro v1909 build 18363.1256 * Firefox v84.0.1

1 user thanked author for this post.

WCHS

Reply | Quote

lmacri wrote:

Does anyone know if running the .msu standalone installer for Microsoft’s KB4577586 Flash removal tool removes the Windows/Edge-installed Flash files in the C:\Windows\System32\Macromed\Flash and C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash folders as well as the Windows/Edge-installed Flash Player (32-bit) control panel at Control Panel | System and Security?

Further to my previous reply, user ITMA posted in the Norton Tech Outpost thread Windows 10 20H2 (2004, With Knobs On) | EOL Adobe Flash that the MS Flash removal tool KB4577586 removed the Windows/Edge-installed Flash files located at C:\Windows\System32\Macromed\Flash and C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash in addition to the Flash Player (32-bit) control panel at Control Panel | System and Security on their Win 10 (Pro and Home) v20H2 machines; KB4577586 left behind one residual .log file on their 32-bit Win 10 Home machine, which they deleted manually. After running KB4577586 ITMA found a few Flash-related entries in their Windows registry but left them alone.
————-
64-bit Win 10 Pro v1909 build 18363.1256 * Firefox v84.0.1

4 users thanked author for this post.

jburk07, rc primak, NaNoNyMouse, WCHS

Reply | Quote

Thanks for that link. After running KB4577586, it looks like Flash has been more or less totally expunged from my system. I had been umming and ahhhing about trying to delete those files manually, but the instructions on how to do it ran into War and Peace proportions, so this was a LOT quicker

1 user thanked author for this post.

jburk07

Reply | Quote

Speaking of “everywhere” and following Imacri’s posts above, I should note that my 1909 (18363.1198) also has the Flash Player (32-bit) control panel at Control Panel | System and Security (or alternatively at Control Panel | All Control Panel Items). So, that needs to go, too.

Reply | Quote

That will be removed by either one or both of the Flash removal patches.
The removal tool from Adobe will remove the Adobe side (ActiveX and the browser plug-ins).
The patch from MS will remove the Windows integrated side in IE11 and Edge(whatever).

4 users thanked author for this post.

jburk07, rc primak, abbodi86, WCHS

Reply | Quote

Surely MSFT will issue a thorough flash purge within the next Cumulative Update and Security Only patches via WU and the catalog for Win8.1 and 10..time will tell
January the 12th is not only patch Tuesday but, the same date adobe block flash completely, co-ordinated, no doubt here.

"-rw-rw-rw-" extreme computing

Reply | Quote

Windows 10 Pro 20H2 Dec. updates.

Reply | Quote

So, what is the purpose of the attachment???

Reply | Quote

[Alex5723]

WCHS wrote:

So, what is the purpose of the attachment???

Just to show Flash is still in the system.
Microsoft should have removed Flash with Dec updates.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 4 months ago by Alex5723.

1 user thanked author for this post.

rc primak

Reply | Quote

Doesn’t the Flash Player (32-bit) control panel at Control Panel | System and Security (i.e., the panel in your attachment) originate from the Adobe side? and not from the MS side?

1 user thanked author for this post.

rc primak

Reply | Quote

Both sides use the same if both are installed.
The one from Adobe will put an “Update” tab on the right if it’s present. If that tab is not present, then you only have the MS side with 4 tabs..

1 user thanked author for this post.

WCHS

Reply | Quote

WCHS wrote:

Doesn’t the Flash Player (32-bit) control panel at Control Panel | System and Security (i.e., the panel in your attachment) originate from the Adobe side? and not from the MS side?

The Adobe side has been removed by Adobe uninstall. This is Microsoft’s side.

2 users thanked author for this post.

rc primak, WCHS

Reply | Quote

I supposedly removed Flash Player and Shockwave Flash using a MS utility and an update that was supposed to clean flash.  After a reboot, a quick search from This PC for “flash” shows many entries still remaining.  Weird DLL’s, etc.   Same with the registry, lots of Active X stuff and references to software that can open Flash files.  I could take ownership of the registry keys owned by trusted installer or system and delete them one by one but it would take a looooooong time and result in what I don’t know.

Flash content is supposed to be blocked starting Jan 12 according to MS.  Support ending Dec 31 doesn’t mean much, no emergency.  I’m going to wait until a proven update and/or utility from MS arrives.  Another two weeks won’t matter.  Another two months won’t matter, I’ve had flash disabled for over a year anyway in Windows and FF.

I really do miss all those little flash games, though.  There are more and more html games appearing these days, so it’s not too bad.
🙂

Reply | Quote

Microsoft’s Adobe Flash Player Removal Tool (KB4577586) will only remove Windows-installed Flash components that are embedded in Microsoft products like the MS Edge browser. A few stray registry entries aren’t going to do any harm if the executable files and browser plugins (e.g., .exe, .dll, .ocx) like the ones shown in the attached image were removed, but you might be able to delete a few stray Adobe-related references by clearing your browser history and cleaning your Windows temporary files.

If you’ve ever downloaded and installed Adobe Flash Player in IE, Firefox or some other browser yourself (i.e., by downloading from the now obsolete https://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/ Adobe web page or a third-party download site like MajorGeeks) then you must also run the Adobe Flash Uninstaller for Window from https://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/uninstall-flash-player-windows.html and follow the instructions there. Be sure you manually delete any remaining files in the four folders listed in STEP # 3 of those instructions, including files in the hidden %appdata%\Adobe\Flash Player and %appdata%\Macromedia\Flash Player folders (where %appdata% is equivalent to C:\Users\<yourusername>\AppData\…).
————-
64-bit Win 10 Pro v1909 build 18363.1256 * Firefox v84.0.1

2 users thanked author for this post.

jburk07, WCHS

Reply | Quote

[WCHS]

lmacri wrote:

Be sure you manually delete any remaining files in the four folders listed in STEP # 3 of those instructions,

I was not able to delete the files in:
C:Windows|system32|Macromed|Flash
C:Windows|SysWOW64|Macromed|Flash

• This reply was modified 1 year, 4 months ago by WCHS.
• This reply was modified 1 year, 4 months ago by WCHS.
• This reply was modified 1 year, 4 months ago by WCHS.

Reply | Quote

[NaNoNyMouse]

WCHS wrote:

I was not able to delete the files in: C:Windows|system32|Macromed|Flash C:Windows|SysWOW64|Macromed|Flash

I had the same problem, but manually running KB4577586 (see Jan 2nd posts above in this thread for details), removed both of those folders

(I didn’t check whether it also cleaned the registry of any hanging entries though)

• This reply was modified 1 year, 4 months ago by NaNoNyMouse.

3 users thanked author for this post.

jburk07, WCHS, lmacri

Reply | Quote

After downloading and saving the KB4577586 .msu file to the desktop, I can’t figure out how to run it as administrator. Right-click or even SHFT-Right-click on the file on the desktop does not reveal “Run as Administrator” in the drop-down menu (but I do get it when I right-click on other .exe files). I’ve created a shortcut for it, but Properties|Advanced does not allow me to click the box for run as administrator.

P.S. I am the administrator, though.

Reply | Quote

Have you tried just double-clicking on it?

3 users thanked author for this post.

rc primak, NaNoNyMouse, WCHS

Reply | Quote

That’s the answer!  Thanks.

Regarding embedded  Flash (i.e., in Windows systems files and inside Microsoft browsers and IE11), I can now add to the Jan 7 reply of @NaNoNyMouse —

KB4577586 removed not only the contents of those two Windows folders (except for Flash\FlashInstall.Log), but it also removed Flash Player (32-bit) from Control | All Panel Items.

In old/Legacy Edge, the button at Settings | Advanced | Adobe Flash is now non-functional.

I don’t know what changes it made to IE11, because it was/has been disabled.

I don’t what changes it made to new Edge/Chredge, because I do not have it installed.

I have Beta Edge/Chredge installed, and I am assuming that since there are no Flash add-ons, Flash is not going to work there.

In Group Policy|Local Computer Configurations | Administrative Templates | Windows Components | Microsoft Edge | Allow Adobe Flash is still Disabled.

2 users thanked author for this post.

jburk07, NaNoNyMouse

Reply | Quote

Here are the results of checking Flash Player with each of my four browsers at Does your browser use Flash?.

Reply | Quote

Flash Player support will be removed from Chrome 88 when it goes Stable, later in Jan., 2021:

https://www.chromium.org/flash-roadmap

And in Firefox 85, also later in Jan., 2021:

https://blog.mozilla.org/futurereleases/2020/11/17/ending-firefox-support-for-flash/#:~:text=On%20January%2026%2C%202021%20when,and%20December%2014%2C%202020%20respectively.

The Microsoft Update Catalog and Adobe Uninstallers combined will take care of Windows and Edge, respectively.

-- rc primak

2 users thanked author for this post.

jburk07, lmacri

Reply | Quote

rc primak wrote:

The Microsoft Update Catalog and Adobe Uninstallers combined will take care of Windows and Edge, respectively.

The Adobe Uninstaller does nothing for Edge:

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.

https://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/uninstall-flash-player-windows.html

Windows 10 Pro version 21H2 build 19044.1682 + Microsoft 365 (group ASAP)

Reply | Quote

Hi WCHS:

I don’t know why your Flash Player status is “Flash Player Disabled” instead of “Not Installed” after running KB4577586 when you browse to the test page at https://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player.html with your MS Edge Legacy browser, but the file names for your screenshots indicate you installed MS Edge Chromium (Beta Channel) to prevent removal of MS Edge Legacy. I can’t tell you if it’s normal for MS Edge Legacy to report “Flash Player Disabled” on that test page after running KB4577586 since I’ve never installed a beta version of MS Edge Chromium, and when I upgraded from MS Edge Legacy v44 to MS Edge Chromium v87 (Stable Channel) on my 64-bit Win 10 Pro v1909 (Build 18363.x) machine using the MicrosoftEdgeSetup.exe installer it removed the old MS Edge Legacy from my list of available browsers at Settings | Apps | Defaults | Web Browser.  Is the option in your MS Edge Legacy browser at Settings | View Advanced Settings | Use Adobe Flash now locked in the ON or OFF position since you ran KB4577586?

Just an FYI that my MS Edge Chromium v87 (Stable Channel) always reports that Adobe Flash is “Not Installed” at https://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player.html (see the attached image for MS Edge Chromium), regardless of whether the option at Settings | Cookies and Site Permissions | Adobe Flash | “Ask Before Running Flash (recommended turned off)” is turned OFF by default (i.e. Flash is blocked) or turned ON.  Note that I still haven’t run KB4577586 so I can still toggle that option in MS Edge Chromium from OFF to ON and still have Flash-related files in C:\Windows\System32\Macromed\Flash and C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash as shown in my image in post # 2325169. I don’t know why the test page at https://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player.html shows that the Flash Player in my MS Edge Chromium browser is “Not Installed” instead of “Disabled” but perhaps that’s because I manually upgraded from MS Edge Legacy v44 to MS Edge Chromium v87 (Stable Channel) on 08-Jan-2021 after Adobe Flash Player reached EOL on 31-Dec-2020 (i.e., perhaps those files in C:\Windows\System32\Macromed\Flash and C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash are just remnants from my old MS Edge Legacy browser and the Flash Player files are not bundled with the MS Edge Chromium installer after 31-Dec-2020).
———–
64-bit Win 10 Pro v1909 build 18363.1256 * Firefox v84.0.2 * MS Edge Chromium v87.0.664.75 (Official Build)

Reply | Quote

lmacri wrote:

the test page at https://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player.html shows that the Flash Player in my MS Edge Chromium browser

The test page on my ChrEdge shows blank page with JavaScript blocked.

Reply | Quote

Maybe at Setting | Cookies and site permissions, under Site permissions | All permissions, JavaScript is blocked??

Reply | Quote

I don’t think I installed Beta Chromium Edge to prevent removal of Legacy Edge. Rather, when it was offered in Nov, 2019 before Stable Chromium Edge was officially released in January, 2020, I decided to try it, not even knowing that it wouldn’t remove Legacy Edge. And as a consequence, both Legacy Edge and Beta Chromium Edge have existed side by side on my system ever since. And, when the June 2020 CU forced Stable Chromium Edge on users, the CU neither removed Legacy Edge nor did it install Stable Chromium Edge, but rather updated Beta Chromium Edge to version 84.0.522.39, released sometime around June 9, 2020. Beta Chromium Edge has been updating every since (now on 88.0.705.20).

As for Flash Player in Legacy Edge, in February 2020, I turned the Adobe Player button at Settings>Advanced to “off”. Then, on January 8, 2021, after running KB4577586, that button became non-functional. I did not take a screen-shot before January 8, so I don’t know what Adobe Uninstaller would have said. But, those screenshots, made on January 10, after I ran KB4577586 two days before, say “disabled,” likely because I had turned Adobe Player off (disabling it) long before. But, KB4577586 DID remove in C:\Windows\System32\Macromed\Flash and C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash all but AdobeInstaller.log (dated 9/12/2016, when the machine was new). {I just checked my newer machine purchased in August, 2019–DELL Inspiron 5482. There System32 and WOW64 do not have a Macromed folder at all after running that MS removal KB file. So, apparently KB4577586 doesn’t remove files/folders from System32 and WOW64 in a similar way across devices.}

If this information is of any use, in Beta Chromium Edge | Settings | Cookies and Site Permissions, Adobe Flash Player is not in the list. (I said, I have run KB4577586).

Reply | Quote

Couldn’t find KB4577586 for 20H2 in Microsoft’s catalog.

Reply | Quote

The topic heading should have said “1909 How to be sure Flash Player is gone everywhere?”.

Reply | Quote

@Alex5723, use the 2004 version of the patch on the second page (3rd one down from top x64):
https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=KB4577586

"-rw-rw-rw-" extreme computing

2 users thanked author for this post.

rc primak, NaNoNyMouse

Reply | Quote

[Alex5723]

Thanks. Wonder why there no separate 20h2 version.

Just ran KB4577586. Macromed folders still not removed.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 4 months ago by Alex5723.

Reply | Quote

Wonder why there no separate 20h2 version.

I had originally thought that it was because 20H2 is the same core as 2004 but with a few extras enabled, just like 1903 and 1909.

BUT, upon further review of the listings in the catalog for the patch, it appears as if all non-server versions of Windows 10 have the same patch from 1903 upwards. The column labeled “Products” just says “Windows 10, version 1903 and later” for ALL entries in the table for non-server versions starting with 1903. Also, the file sizes are the same for all editions with just a minor difference between x86 and x64 file sizes.

The above concept begs another question, though: If the above paragraph is indeed true, then why did they bother listing the different non-server versions above 1903??

Reply | Quote

Win10 Updates are per OS build number, the category does not matter

updates for 1903 + 1909 are the same
but they are different from 2004/20H2

1 user thanked author for this post.

rc primak

Reply | Quote

[NaNoNyMouse]

Alex5723 wrote:

Just ran KB4577586. Macromed folders still not removed.

That’s odd. I’m also on 20H2, and those folders (plus the Flash Player icon in Control Panel) definitely disappeared from my system after I ran the msu

I do still have a Macromedia folder left behind in AppData/Roaming, but it’s empty

• This reply was modified 1 year, 4 months ago by NaNoNyMouse.

1 user thanked author for this post.

rc primak

Reply | Quote

The Flash Player icon in Control Panel disappeared from my system too.

Reply | Quote

What about Pepper Flash which is installed on my machine for both Chrome and Chrome-Edge ?  I know both are disabled but I want all the code gone as it is still a security exposure though much less since it is disabled.

1 user thanked author for this post.

rc primak

Reply | Quote

Flash will be removed in Chrome version 88 and Edge version 88 this month:

Flash Support Removed from Chromium (Target: Chrome 88+ – Jan 2021)

Site compatibility-impacting changes coming to Microsoft Edge

So just wait a week or two?

Windows 10 Pro version 21H2 build 19044.1682 + Microsoft 365 (group ASAP)

1 user thanked author for this post.

rc primak

Reply | Quote

[rc primak]

That is certainly true of my system, both Linux and Windows. Once Chrome is updated to Chrome beta 88, Flash support is gone. Chromium-Edge should follow suit when MS issues the update.

-- rc primak

• This reply was modified 1 year, 4 months ago by rc primak.

1 user thanked author for this post.

jburk07

Reply | Quote

[AlphaCharlie]

Thanks for this helpful thread.

This machine has Win 10 version 1909 Build 18363.1256.  I ran the Adobe uninstaller first, rebooted, and then downloaded and ran the Microsoft one (KBKB4577586) and rebooted. So now I don’t have any directories with Macromed in the name.

When I use the Everything tool to search for filenames that include “flash” there are still many entries, as shown in the attached jpg.
So I am not sure how to proceed with this cleanup, and appreciate any pointers.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 4 months ago by AlphaCharlie.

Reply | Quote

WinSXS files are effectively backups for Windows only and you don’t need to worry about them.

More importantly, then only way someone is likely to sneak a flash app onto your PC is via the browser and they won’t run flash anymore.

cheers, Paul

2 users thanked author for this post.

jburk07, rc primak

Reply | Quote

You can cleanup WinSxS folder with dism.exe

1 user thanked author for this post.

rc primak

Reply | Quote

To summarize, get Chrome up to Chrome 88, Firefox up to Firefox 85, apply the Adobe Flash Uninstaller, and apply the Microsoft Update Catalog patch. Then wait until Microsoft updates Edge to Edge 88. All should be safe by then. But you can also clean up the WinSxS Folders with DISM. Leave the Registry alone — any remaining entries will not act once the browsers are free from Flash support. By early-Feb., 2021 we all should have this accomplished.

-- rc primak

2 users thanked author for this post.

jburk07, abbodi86

Reply | Quote

currently Chrome 88 and Firefox 85 are still in beta stages and both won’t be publicly released in their respective stable channels until late January 2021.

for FF 85 stable that would be around Jan. 26
for Chrome 88 stable release, that would occur around Jan. 19

1 user thanked author for this post.

rc primak

Reply | Quote

Testing Flash with Chrome 88.0.4324.79 (Official Build) beta (64-bit)

Reply | Quote

[carpintero]

anonymous wrote:

search from This PC for “flash” shows many entries still remaining.

True for me after manually installing KB4577586 (“Update for Removal of…” etc.).
I do not assume that this kind of update removes anything at time of its installation;  maybe it does, I just do not know.  Anyone here know?

Apart from the when, I would like to know in exactly what
is the purported “removal” supposed to consist?

Alex5723 wrote:

Just ran KB4577586. Macromed folders still not removed.

By what means did you “ran” it?

• This reply was modified 1 year, 3 months ago by carpintero.
• This reply was modified 1 year, 3 months ago by carpintero.

Reply | Quote

The stable release of MS Edge (Chromium) v88.0.705.50 was released on 21-Jan-2021 and the release notes at https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/deployedge/microsoft-edge-relnote-stable-channel#version-88070550-january-21 state “Adobe Flash support will be removed.  Starting with Microsoft Edge Beta version 88, Adobe Flash capability and support will be removed.” I don’t use Google Chrome but the BleepingComputer article Google Chrome 88 Released: RIP Flash Player and FTP Support also notes that the Adobe Flash Player has been removed from the stable release of Google Chrome v88.0.4324.96 (released 19-Jan-2021) so I assume this change applies to all browsers based on Chromium v88.

I checked my MS Edge (Chromium) version yesterday at Settings | About Microsoft Edge and was automatically updated from v87.0.664.75 to v88.0.705.50. After a browser restart the option at Settings | Cookies and Sites Permissions | Flash | Ask Before Running Flash (which used to be turned off by default to block Flash as shown in the image below I captured on 11-Jan 2021 for the previous v87.0.664.75)  has been removed from my MS Edge (Chromium) v88.0.705.50.

The Flash-related files at C:Windows\System32\Macromed\Flash and C:Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash are still on my hard drive and the Flash Player (32-bit) Control Panel is still visible at Control Panel | System and Security, but I haven’t manually downloaded and run KB4577586 from the Microsoft Update Catalog.  I assume those remnants of my Windows-installed versions of Adobe Flash Player (including the Flash Player built in to IE11 and the legacy MS Edge v44) will be deleted at some point in the future when KB4577586 is eventually delivered to my system via Windows Update.
————-
64-bit Win 10 Pro v2004 build 19041.746 * Firefox v84.0.2 * MS Edge Chromium v88.0.705.50 (stable release)

1 user thanked author for this post.

abbodi86

Reply | Quote

Susan Bradley posted today in Bleeping Computer Reports Flash Patch Force Installed that Microsoft has started pushing out KB4577586 (Update for Removal of Adobe Flash Player) via Windows Update to remove the embedded 32-bit version of Adobe Flash Player from Windows operating systems. I didn’t manually download KB4577586 from the Microsoft Update Catalog and still have remnants of the embedded Flash Player on my system so I assume KB4577586 will eventually be pushed out to my machine but I can’t confirm at the moment since I currently have Windows Update paused.
————-
64-bit Win 10 Pro v2004 build 19041.746 * Firefox v85.0.2 * MS Edge (Chromium) v88.0.705.68

Reply | Quote