Unable to install Flash Player on Windows XP

Report · Nov 27, 2016

My Flush player now will not play anything and says "out of date". The newest versions system requirements shows it not working on anything less than a 2.3ghz. I have a 2.0ghz machine. Please tell me is there anything do so I can get my computer to run Flush player again, or am I just screwed here and forced to buy a new computer? I am running XP. I like XP and I don't want or need to change. (except maybe to be able to use Flush player)

Thanks much.

Report · Nov 27, 2016

It is not Adobe's fault that web sites are changing their sites to require a later version of the FLASH player (not flush)

If you can't install a newer Flash Player on your old computer, you simply won't be able to play the newer content

Report · Nov 27, 2016

John, thank you for your quick reply. I hope you had a good holiday. Now to the question at hand. What you have posted I already know!!! I was hoping to get some help in finding a place and a specific version I could D/L that would allow me to continue to use my current computer for at least, most things, keeping in mind not everything will work. Yes, I am looking for a viable work around for the moment. I was just hoping I could find someone who might be a lot smarter that I am with this stuff. If I sound a little pissed off, it's because I am . Sorry for that. I deal with the same BS in my line of work constantly. It has gotten beyond old.

Thanks again

Report · Nov 27, 2016

The only link I have is Adobe Flash Player Install for all versions which MAY have an older version you can download

I don't/can't use that link myself... I use Internet Explorer, and Microsoft has IE locked so only Microsoft may update Flash Player

Report · Nov 27, 2016

Hi, a Google search reveals that the 2.33GHz "requirement" dates back to Flash Player 11 nearly five years ago. What exact version of Flash Player do you have installed currently, and for what browser, and for how long has it been unable to play anything? I'm able to use the current 23.0.0.207 version (NPAPI, PPAPI and ActiveX) on Vista, but my processor is 2.40GHz so perhaps not very reassuring to you. I'm pretty sure that Adobe does not distribute outdated Flash versions, but I do have an idea. Have you heard of a Chromium-based browser called Slimjet? Their download page would automatically redirect an XP system to Slimjet version 10.0.11.0, which includes embedded Flash version 23.0.0.185 (released on October 11, so of course there are known security issues as always) with automatic updates disabled. They also have an archive of older versions, e.g. Slimjet 10.0.10.0 includes Flash 22.x (I don't recall the exact version). I'm getting pretty tired, but I'll check in tomorrow.

Report · Nov 28, 2016

2.33GHz has been the minimum system requirement since Flash Player 10.2. It is not a new minimum system requirement.

If you're getting the "out-of-date" message, then you're version of Flash Player is old and the browser vendor (NOT Adobe) has blocked the old insecure version of Flash from loading. The latest version of Flash will install and run on your system, however, depending on what you do (e.g. heavy gaming/video streaming) you may experience performance degradation.

If you don't have Service Pack 3 installed on your Windows XP system, then the online installer (downloaded from Adobe Flash Player Install for all versions ) will not work as Service Pack 2 and lower lack the support for the sha256 digital signatures, which the online installer uses. If you have Service Pack 2 or lower, download the offline installer posted at the bottom of the Installation problems | Flash Player | Windows 7 and earlier page, in the 'Still having problems' section.

HTH.

--

Maria

Report · Nov 28, 2016

I've updated the title of this thread to more accurately describe what's happening.

Also, to be clear, computers and software become obsolete, and it becomes impractical to both support ancient operating systems indefinitely, and provide a secure, working product. With regard to WinXP in particular, we're talking about an operating system released in 2001, in an era when the security landscape changed from teenagers in basements to state-sponsored cyberwar.

You don't actually have to throw the computer away, but it really *is* time to move to a modern operating system.

If you're not able or willing to buy a current operating system for your computer, the Linux community provides a number of free, open-source options, for which Flash Player is available.

That said, it sounds like the problem you're experiencing is that Windows XP SP2 and below (which is widely available as a cracked version through torrents, complete with pre-installed malware) is that it lacks the cryptographic technology necessary to ship software that can be proven as authentic, unmodified and attributable to the actual authors.

There's a reason that they teach kids starting out in the security space how to write malware for WinXP. It's because it's super easy. Seriously, if you're doing anything remotely sensitive with the machine (banking, healthcare, etc.) or it's attached to a network with other machines that do sensitive things, it's time to do something about it. Compared to what you're using, the low-end $400 Win10 laptops available at commodity electronics retailers are far superior, and they'll offer you another decade of operating system support, and if that's too much, a Chromebook will run you $200.

I get the desire to use the things you have and not be wasteful, but 15 years is ancient in Internet time. Take the thing to a reputable recycler to minimize your environmental footprint, or move on to Windows 7 or a current Linux distribution. It's way cheaper and less time-consuming than identity theft.

Report · Dec 18, 2016

Okay, thanks for sending me to the older versions site. I was able to D/L an older version and get up and running again.

I hope everyone has a great holiday season.

Dominick