"error, application already in use"

Report · Sep 02, 2011

Hi

I am currently receiving the error message above when trying to install the latest flash player. I am running the latest mozilla firefox, and I have a 64 bit windows 7 operating system. I have tried uninstalling flashplayer entirely and reinstalling, and I am sure I have downloaded the version designed for mozilla. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Phil

Report · Sep 02, 2011

Hi Phil,

Have you tried restarting your system?

If that doesn't work, please try to install Flash Player via the direct download installers. You can find links for these here:

Where can I find direct downloads of Flash Player for Windows or Macintosh?

Thanks,

Chris

Report · Sep 02, 2011

If Chris' suggestions above do not help, please post (Ctrl+V) the contents of the FlashInstall.log file in C:\Windows\syswow64\Macromed\Flash

Report · Sep 03, 2011

Thanks for suggestions Chris, I have already tried those options to no avail.

=O====== M/10.3.183.7 2011-09-02+14-25-12.331 ========
0000 00000010 "C:\Users\Philip\AppData\Local\Temp\install_flash_player.exe" -dlm -install
0001 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerPlugin/Version 2
0002 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerPlugin/PlayerPath 2
0003 00001041
=X====== M/10.3.183.7 2011-09-02+14-25-12.454 ========

=O====== M/10.3.183.7 2011-09-02+14-28-57.175 ========
0000 00000010 "C:\Users\Philip\AppData\Local\Temp\install_flash_player.exe" -dlm -install
0001 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerPlugin/Version 2
0002 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerPlugin/PlayerPath 2
0003 00001041
=X====== M/10.3.183.7 2011-09-02+14-28-57.292 ========

=O====== M/10.3.183.7 2011-09-02+14-29-25.112 ========
0000 00000010 "C:\Users\Philip\AppData\Local\Temp\install_flash_player.exe" -dlm -install
0001 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerPlugin/Version 2
0002 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerPlugin/PlayerPath 2
0003 00001036 Software\Mozilla\Firefox\extensions/Plugins 2
0004 00001036 Software\Mozilla\Mozilla Firefox\extensions/Plugins 2
0005 00001036 Software\Opera Software/Last CommandLine 2
0006 00001036 Software\Opera Software/Last CommandLine 2
0007 00001036 Software\Opera Software/Plugin Path 2
0008 00001036 Software\Opera Software/Plugin Path 2
0009 00001015 C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash\NPSWF32.dll 5
0010 00000014 C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash\NPSWF32.dll
0011 00001025 C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash\NPSWF32.dll:32
=X====== M/10.3.183.7 2011-09-02+14-29-26.191 ========

=O====== M/10.3.183.7 2011-09-02+14-31-03.304 ========
0000 00000010 "C:\Users\Philip\AppData\Local\Temp\install_flash_player.exe" -dlm -install
0001 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerPlugin/Version 2
0002 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerPlugin/PlayerPath 2
0003 00001041
=X====== M/10.3.183.7 2011-09-02+14-31-03.881 ========

=O====== M/10.3.183.7 2011-09-02+23-32-08.167 ========
0000 00000010 "C:\Users\Philip\AppData\Local\Temp\install_flash_player.exe" -dlm -install
0001 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerPlugin/Version 2
0002 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerPlugin/PlayerPath 2
0003 00001041
=X====== M/10.3.183.7 2011-09-02+23-32-08.487 ========

=O====== M/10.3.183.7 2011-09-02+23-34-45.970 ========
0000 00000010 "C:\Users\Philip\AppData\Local\Temp\install_flash_player.exe" -dlm -install
0001 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerPlugin/Version 2
0002 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerPlugin/PlayerPath 2
0003 00001037 SOFTWARE\MozillaPlugins\@adobe.com/FlashPlayer/ 2
0004 00001037 SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Adobe Flash Player Plugin/ 2
0005 00001036 Software\Mozilla\Firefox\extensions/Plugins 2
0006 00001036 Software\Mozilla\Mozilla Firefox\extensions/Plugins 2
0007 00001036 Software\Opera Software/Last CommandLine 2
0008 00001036 Software\Opera Software/Last CommandLine 2
0009 00001036 Software\Opera Software/Plugin Path 2
0010 00001036 Software\Opera Software/Plugin Path 2
0011 00001015 C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash\NPSWF32.dll 5
0012 00000014 C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash\NPSWF32.dll
0013 00001025 C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash\NPSWF32.dll:32
=X====== M/10.3.183.7 2011-09-02+23-34-46.326 ========

=O====== M/10.3.183.7 2011-09-02+23-39-29.888 ========
0000 00000010 "C:\Users\Philip\AppData\Local\Temp\install_flash_player.exe" -dlm -install
0001 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerPlugin/Version 2
0002 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerPlugin/PlayerPath 2
0003 00001037 SOFTWARE\MozillaPlugins\@adobe.com/FlashPlayer/ 2
0004 00001037 SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Adobe Flash Player Plugin/ 2
0005 00001036 Software\Mozilla\Firefox\extensions/Plugins 2
0006 00001036 Software\Mozilla\Mozilla Firefox\extensions/Plugins 2
0007 00001036 Software\Opera Software/Last CommandLine 2
0008 00001036 Software\Opera Software/Last CommandLine 2
0009 00001036 Software\Opera Software/Plugin Path 2
0010 00001036 Software\Opera Software/Plugin Path 2
0011 00001015 C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash\NPSWF32.dll 5
0012 00000014 C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash\NPSWF32.dll
0013 00001025 C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash\NPSWF32.dll:32
=X====== M/10.3.183.7 2011-09-02+23-39-30.235 ========

=O====== M/10.3.183.7 2011-09-02+23-42-28.683 ========
0000 00000010 "C:\Users\Philip\Downloads\uninstall_flash_player.exe" -force
0001 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerPlugin/PlayerPath 2
0002 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerActiveX/PlayerPath 2
0003 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerActiveX/PlayerPath 2
0004 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerPlugin/PlayerPath 2
0005 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerActiveX/PlayerPath 2
0006 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerActiveX/PlayerPath 2
0007 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerPlugin/PlayerPath 2
0008 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerActiveX/PlayerPath 2
0009 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerActiveX/PlayerPath 2
0010 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerPlugin/PlayerPath 2
0011 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerActiveX/PlayerPath 2
0012 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerActiveX/PlayerPath 2
0013 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerPlugin/PlayerPath 2
0014 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerActiveX/PlayerPath 2
0015 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerActiveX/PlayerPath 2
0016 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerPlugin/PlayerPath 2
0017 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerActiveX/PlayerPath 2
0018 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerActiveX/PlayerPath 2
0019 00001018
0020 00001015 C:\Windows\SysWow64\Macromed\Flash\Flash10e.ocx 5
0021 00000018
0022 00001015 C:\Windows\SysWow64\Macromed\Flash\Flash10e.ocx 5
0023 00001037 Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce/FlashPlayerUpdate 2
0024 00001037 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerActiveX/ 2
0025 00001037 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayer/FlashPlayerVersion 2
0026 00001037 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayer/SwfInstall 2
0027 00001021
0028 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerActiveX/PlayerPath 2
0029 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerPlugin/PlayerPath 2
0030 00001037 Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Control Panel\Extended Properties\System.ControlPanel.Category/C:\Windows\SysWOW64\FlashPlayerCPLApp.cpl 2
0031 00001048
0032 00000020 C:\Windows\SysWOW64\FlashPlayerCPLApp.cpl
0033 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerPlugin/PlayerPath 2
0034 00001018
0035 00001036 SOFTWARE\MozillaPlugins\@adobe.com/FlashPlayer/ 2
0036 00001037 SOFTWARE\MozillaPlugins\@adobe.com/FlashPlayer/ 2
0037 00001037 SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Adobe Flash Player Plugin/ 2
0038 00001019
0039 00001020
0040 00001037 Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce/FlashPlayerUpdate 2
0041 00001037 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerPlugin/ 2
0042 00001037 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayer/FlashPlayerVersion 2
0043 00001037 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayer/SwfInstall 2
0044 00001021
0045 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerActiveX/PlayerPath 2
0046 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerPlugin/PlayerPath 2
0047 00001037 Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Control Panel\Extended Properties\System.ControlPanel.Category/C:\Windows\SysWOW64\FlashPlayerCPLApp.cpl 2
0048 00001048
0049 00000020 C:\Windows\SysWOW64\FlashPlayerCPLApp.cpl
0050 00001015 C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash\Flash10e.ocx 5
0051 00000018
0052 00001015 C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash\Flash10e.ocx 5
0053 00001036 Software\Mozilla\Firefox\extensions/Plugins 2
0054 00001036 Software\Mozilla\Mozilla Firefox\extensions/Plugins 2
0055 00001036 Software\Opera Software/Last CommandLine 2
0056 00001036 Software\Opera Software/Last CommandLine 2
0057 00001036 Software\Opera Software/Plugin Path 2
0058 00001036 Software\Opera Software/Plugin Path 2
0059 00001015 C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash\NPSWF32.dll 5
=X====== M/10.3.183.7 2011-09-02+23-42-41.715 ========

=O====== M/10.1.102.64 2011-09-02+23-45-36.723 ========
0000 00000010 "C:\ProgramData\MediaMall\if.exe" -uninstall activex
0001 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerActiveX/PlayerPath 2
0002 00001018
0003 00001037 SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Adobe Flash Player ActiveX/ 2
0004 00001019
0005 00001020
0006 00001037 Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce/FlashPlayerUpdate 2
0007 00001037 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerActiveX/ 2
0008 00001037 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayer/FlashPlayerVersion 2
0009 00001037 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayer/SwfInstall 2
0010 00001037 Software\Microsoft\Code Store Database\Distribution Units\{D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000}/ 2
0011 00001021
=X====== M/10.1.102.64 2011-09-02+23-45-40.973 ========

=O====== M/10.1.102.64 2011-09-02+23-45-41.098 ========
0000 00000010 "C:\ProgramData\MediaMall\if.exe" -install
0001 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayer\SafeVersions/10.0 2
0002 00001037 SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Adobe Flash Player ActiveX/ 2
0003 00000013 C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash\Flash10l.ocx
0004 00000015 C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash\FlashUtil10l_ActiveX.exe
0005 00000016 C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash\FlashUtil10l_ActiveX.dll
=X====== M/10.1.102.64 2011-09-02+23-45-43.067 ========

=O====== M/10.3.183.7 2011-09-02+23-48-09.834 ========
0000 00000010 "C:\Users\Philip\AppData\Local\Temp\install_flash_player.exe" -dlm -install
0001 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerPlugin/Version 2
0002 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerPlugin/PlayerPath 2
0003 00001037 SOFTWARE\MozillaPlugins\@adobe.com/FlashPlayer/ 2
0004 00001037 SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Adobe Flash Player Plugin/ 2
0005 00001036 Software\Mozilla\Firefox\extensions/Plugins 2
0006 00001036 Software\Mozilla\Mozilla Firefox\extensions/Plugins 2
0007 00001036 Software\Opera Software/Last CommandLine 2
0008 00001036 Software\Opera Software/Last CommandLine 2
0009 00001036 Software\Opera Software/Plugin Path 2
0010 00001036 Software\Opera Software/Plugin Path 2
0011 00001015 C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash\NPSWF32.dll 5
0012 00000014 C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash\NPSWF32.dll
0013 00001025 C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash\NPSWF32.dll:32
=X====== M/10.3.183.7 2011-09-02+23-48-10.158 ========

Report · Sep 03, 2011

It seems that the installer has difficulties removing one file from the install folder. Try the following:

download the FP uninstaller from http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/141/tn_14157.html and save it to disk;
close all browser windows, then run the downloaded uninstaller;
restart Windows;
go to C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash and delete any remaining files in there;
now run the installer (from the link that Chris gave you) again.

If you have difficulties to delete some files from the install folder; try using Unlocker.

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"error, application already in use"