Flash Player Update Error

[BillV39]

First, I live in the stone age and still use Windows XP SP3.  During the boot it checks with Adobe for Flash updates.  But it doesn't automatically install them.  Instead I get a message about an update being available and do I want to install it.

I recently got such a message and when I tried to install it, got a message that the installation program did not have a valid digital signature.  I don't remember if I had an option to proceed anyway but I didn't.  A screen shot of what I saw is attached.  The update message appeared for the next one or two boots but has stopped.

The file creating the problem is flashplayer32au_ca_install.exe.  A Google search for it gives no hits but does find flashplayer32au_ha_install.exe.  So I'm wondering if someone at Adobe messed up or is someone trying to install malware or what?  Does anyone have any ideas?

P.S. It's not clear that my screenshot is showing up here.  It can also be viewed here:

https://imgur.com/a/52TucWt

[Test Screen Name]

Nobody messed up... XP is not going to be compatible with modern code signing technologies. An XP computer is a useful thing, if disconnected from the internet, but the chances of installing updated software are getting smaller and smaller.

(Of course, messages about Flash AFTER boot are generally attacks. If an update DOES install, probably a sign this is a fake.)

[_maria_ · Accepted solution]

flashplayer32au_ca_install.exe is an official installer file, which is digitally signed.  It's possible you're system is missing an update that would properly detect the signature.

You can try a different installer file downloaded from https://get.adobe.com/flashplayer

Or, if you haven't uninstalled the previous version, you can go to the Flash Player Settings Manager in the Control Panel and change the update option to 'Allow Adobe to install updates (recommended)' and Flash Player should update silently in the background within 24-48 hours, assuming an active internet connection.

To access the Flash Player Settings Manager go to Control Panel > All Control Panel Items > Flash Player > Updates tab

[BillV39]

Thanks Maria.  Since my post the update message reappeared.  I checked Flash Player Updates and it listed me as having 32.0.0.303 and 32.0.0.344.  I switched to allowing Adobe to install and today it was 32.0.0.363.  It's a mystery to me as to why this happened now as I've been manually installing the updates for several years, maybe every 2 months.  But all is well and I've switched back to installing them myself.  We'll see what happens.