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Participating Frequently
October 22, 2015
Answered

How do I stop installation of UNWANTED McAfee during Flash update?

  • October 22, 2015
  • 1 reply
  • 2006 views

I'm running Win8.0, Firefox 34.0.5. I have NO options presented when I select upgrade - I get a 'save' option for the download, after which I have to go to the Download folder, selec & run the .exe file, which installs BOTH the Flash player upgrade AND McAfee software. I DO NOT want McAfee, and immediately uninstall it. How can I prevent its installation? Thanks!

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Correct answer jeromiec83223024

The easiest way is to simply use Internet Explorer, Edge (for Win10) or Chrome, all of which bundle Flash Player as a built-in component on Win8 and higher, so there's never an installer to download, or an update to install (they're delivered via Windows Update or the Chrome updater, respectively).

For Firefox, you'll need to uncheck the box for McAfee on the download page itself, at which point you'll get the installer that doesn't bundle McAfee.  I've posted much longer explanations on the topic, so I'm not going to get into it here, but you're welcome to look through my feed for the longer, more eloquent background.

1 reply

jeromiec83223024
jeromiec83223024Correct answer
Inspiring
October 22, 2015

The easiest way is to simply use Internet Explorer, Edge (for Win10) or Chrome, all of which bundle Flash Player as a built-in component on Win8 and higher, so there's never an installer to download, or an update to install (they're delivered via Windows Update or the Chrome updater, respectively).

For Firefox, you'll need to uncheck the box for McAfee on the download page itself, at which point you'll get the installer that doesn't bundle McAfee.  I've posted much longer explanations on the topic, so I'm not going to get into it here, but you're welcome to look through my feed for the longer, more eloquent background.

Participating Frequently
October 23, 2015

Jeromie - thanks but ... Not sure what 'download page' you're referring to. I click on Firefox's 'update flash' link, I get a small window asking me where to save the file, and it downloads the .exe file. I double click on that and both Flash and McAfee start installing. I've not used IE in roughly a decade, and I never allow any automatic software updates.(Interestingly, I researched the Forum posts and found scores of people with the same complaint AND the same inability to opt out of the installation, with some harsh words as a result. I'll be nice... but.. it seems not understanding your scenario is not my problem).

_maria_
Legend
October 23, 2015

Hi mynameiswrb


Which update flash link are you referring to?  I have the latest version of Firefox and installed a fairly older version of Flash and performed the following:

  • Go to https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/plugincheck/‌ and click on the Flash Player Update Now button:

    Firefox launches a new tab to https://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/‌ which is the download page Jeromie is referring to, where the option to un-check the McAfee add-on is displayed.

  • Go to a page with Flash content (e.g. www.adobe.com/products/flash/about). Since the FP version I have is fairly old Firefox blocks the Flash content.  Click anywhere inside the area where Flash content is supposed to display and Firefox displays a dialog box with the Update Now link.

    Clicking the link launches a new tab to https://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/‌.

In neither instance is Flash Player automatically downloaded.  If you're experiencing a different workflow, please provide steps to reproduce (including what version of Flash Player you may have installed before installing the update).

--

Maria