What Is The Difference Between Adobe Flash and Adobe Shockwave

Report · Sep 01, 2014

I just downloaded and installed the latest version of Adobe Flash v14.0.0176. I'm running Windows 7 - HP 64bit and using IE11 v11.0.9600.17239. I've done some research on "what's the difference between Adobe Flash and Adobe Shockwave" and it seems they are one and the same as far as I can tell. I just installed the latest version of Adobe Flash, but when I open my 'Tools' icon in IE11 and click on 'Manage add-ons' it shows I have Shockwave Flash Object v14.0.0176 running. (see attachment)

I then installed the Adobe Shockwave Player v12.1.3.153 just to see what would happen and it shows up in "Programs and Features", but not in IE11, so I'm wondering what is the point. (see attachment)

I'm just an end user and like watching videos, etc., but this seems a bit confusing to me.

Thanks, _D

Report · Sep 03, 2014

Hello,

The names can be confusing, especially since IE identifies Flash Player as Shockwave Flash Object in 'Manage Add-ons'. They are, in fact, two different programs, as noted in your Programs and Features screenshot. Flash Player plays web content created using Flash Professional, Flex, or Flash Builder (ActionScript programming language). Adobe Shockwave Player plays web content that has been created using Adobe Director. They are not interchageable. Web content created using ActionScript requires Flash Player and web content created with Adobe Director requires Shockwave Player.

More info:

HTH.

--

Maria

Report · Sep 04, 2014

So is Microsoft confusing two different software?

Report · Sep 04, 2014

No, Microsoft is not confusing the two. 'Shockwave Flash' is how Flash Player is labeled on the browsers, not just IE.

When both are loaded in IE, Shockwave is identified as 'Shockwave ActiveX Control' and Flash Player is identified as 'Shockwave Flash Object'

Firefox and Chrome identify Shockwave as 'Shockwave for Director" and Flash Player as "Shockwave Flash".

The location of the plugin is also displayed in the browser (manage add-ons, plugins, etc depending on browser) which is another way to tell which plugin it is (Shockwave is in subdirectory /Adobe/Director and Flash Player is in subdirectory /Macromedia/Flash).

For some background, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swf.

HTH.

--

Maria