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M
MHP777123
Inspiring
January 4, 2018
Question

AMS Server causing File Explorer issues, safe to turn it off?

  • January 4, 2018
  • 1 reply
  • 856 views

(This relates to an issue I originally posted at Windows 10: File explorer folder list auto-refreshes every few - Microsoft Community )

This post relates to an apparent issue with AMS Server, which from what I have learned is related to Flash Player, which is why I have posted this question in this forum. If this is not the correct form, please update this post!

Summing up the link above, when I put my computer to sleep, with File Explorer windows open, and then wake it up, sometimes (not all the time) the File Explorer Folder List (the left-hand pane, NOT the right-hand contents pane) will jump up and down every few seconds. I have noticed that the jumping appears to be caused by AMS Server, which jumps in and out of the Folder List, as if the computer recognizes it is there and then does not and then does again and then does not and etc etc etc. When this occurs, sometimes killing and restarting Explorer from the Task Manager fixes it. When this does not fix it, I have to restart the computer.

Please note that this is not related to issues out there dealing with Windows themes or colors that auto-change, as the issue is on the LEFT side of the File Explorer (the folder list), not the right side (the contents). Also please note that this issue occurs only when I have File Explorer windows open and then put my computer to sleep and then wake it up later--and even then it only happens occasionally, but when it does happen it's very annoying. Also please note that through some testing, I have found that this occurs on two different Windows 10 computers, a tower and a laptop, from two different brands, with the very latest updates (Windows 10, version 1709), so I highly doubt this has anything to do with drivers.

Since AMS Server is related to Flash, is it safe to disable the AMS Server and Renderer devices (in Devices and Printers) without causing other problems across Windows or Adobe? For example, I use Acrobat, Premiere Pro, Dreamweaver, and Photoshop extensively, and I do not want these to stop working if I disable AMS. I also allow Flash to run in my Web browsers, and I want that to continue working as well.

It seems to me that if I disable AMS, my problem will go away. (Although I do not understand why there is a problem in the first place.) But I want to make sure doing so will not harm my other programs.

??

This topic has been closed for replies.

1 reply

jeromiec83223024
jeromiec83223024
Inspiring
January 4, 2018

Adobe Media Server is a distinct technology from Flash Player, but is part of the larger Flash-based video distribution ecosystem.   It's a server technology, not something intended for end-users. Specifically, content providers use AMS on their video distribution servers, which then publish and stream videos to end-users running Flash Player.  I don't know why you would have this installed in the first place, unless you were doing some video-related development or something.

That said, you should be able to uninstall Adobe Media Server without repercussions to web browsing or use of the creative suite apps.  I'm still a little puzzled about why you're running it in the first place (livestreaming?), but I work on Flash Player specifically, and don't have a deep knowledge of AMS.

If you need specifics on AMS, you're probably better off asking over in the Adobe Media Server forums: Adobe Media Server

M
MHP777123Author
Inspiring
January 4, 2018

I don't know how it got installed, either, but in both PCs it is there. It is not a program I can select to uninstall, that is, it does not show up in Control Panel / Programs. In both PCs, I did install the Adobe programs (CC), and I am assuming therefore that something in one of those programs auto-installed AMS. Perhaps Premiere Pro or After Effects? Maybe even Photoshop? I can imagine those programs "wanting" AMS available, since they deal with images and/or video. Or maybe Flash Player itself? But then everyone would have it. Which is why I'm thinking something like After Effects put it there. And I did not install Animate CC or even the previous Flash CC packages... In any case, I have no options to uninstall AMS, but I do have options to remove the two devices (AMS Server, AMS Renderer) via R-click on the devices under Devices and Printers. I just want to make sure if I do that, that my CC image/video programs continue to work!

jeromiec83223024
jeromiec83223024
Inspiring
January 4, 2018

Flash Player definitely doesn't install AMS, and neither does PhotoShop.  It's possible one of the video suites does, but again, we're out of my wheelhouse.  Someone on the AMS product team will know a whole lot more.

I'm just googling things at this point, but here's a link to the uninstallation instructions:

Adobe Media Server Help | Uninstall Adobe Media Server

If you need additional help on the AMS front, please hit up the AMS forum link I posted above.  They're going to be able to offer expert advice.

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