Error using the 64bit flash install/uninstall on Windows 7 x64

Report · Feb 23, 2012

I get the following error when using the 64 bit installer and unistaller on my windows 7 64bit:

"Invalid argument or invalid use of argument: %TEMP%/1234.dir/installflashpalyer.exe"

where %TEMP% is my windows temp directory and 1234.dir changes every time.

As a result of this error, the 32bit version of Flash neither installs nor uninstalls. This happens with both the ActiveX and the plugin versions. Installing the 32 bit version separately works just fine. It has been happening ever since the 64 bit version was released.

Any Ideas?

Report · Feb 23, 2012

What are your files in folders C:\Windows\System32\Macromed\Flash and C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash?

What are the contents of the FlashInstall file in both folders?

What are your browsers?

Report · Feb 23, 2012

From where did you download these installers / uninstallers?

Report · Feb 24, 2012

I used the instructions and download links at http://forums.adobe.com/message/4041846#4041846.

I am using IE and Firefox for Browsers. The FlashInstall.log files seem to be indentical.

My C:\Windows\System32\Macromed\Flash contents:

Flash64_11_1_102.ocx

FlashInstall.log

FlashUtil64_11_1_102_ActiveX.dll

FlashUtil64_11_1_102_ActiveX.exe

FlashUtil64_11_1_102_Plugin.exe

NPSWF64_11_1_102.dll

FlashInstall.log:

=O====== M/11.1.102.62 2012-02-23+20-08-24.911 ========

0000 00000010 "C:\users\jpapadop\temp\tmp\d50c.dir\INSTAL~1.EXE" "c:\users\jpapadop\temp\tmp\d50c.dir\installflashplayer.exe" -install -skipARPEntry -iv 1

0001 00001003 c:\users\jpapadop\temp\tmp\d50c.dir\installflashplayer.exe

=X====== M/11.1.102.62 2012-02-23+20-08-34.837 ========

=O====== M/11.1.102.62 2012-02-23+20-08-50.468 ========

0000 00000010 "C:\users\jpapadop\temp\tmp\3988.dir\INSTAL~1.EXE" "c:\users\jpapadop\temp\tmp\3988.dir\installflashplayer.exe" -install -skipARPEntry -iv 1

0001 00001003 c:\users\jpapadop\temp\tmp\3988.dir\installflashplayer.exe

=X====== M/11.1.102.62 2012-02-23+20-08-56.249 ========

=O====== M/11.1.102.62 2012-02-23+20-09-02.598 ========

0000 00000010 "C:\Users\jpapadop\Downloads\install_flash_player_11_active_x_32bit.exe"

0001 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayer\SafeVersions/11.0 2

0002 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerActiveX/PlayerPath 2

0003 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayer\SafeVersions/11.0 2

0004 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerActiveX/PlayerPath 2

0005 00000020 C:\Windows\SysWOW64\FlashPlayerCPLApp.cpl

0006 00001037 SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Adobe Flash Player ActiveX/ 2

0007 00000013 C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash\Flash11f.ocx

0008 00000015 C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash\FlashUtil11f_ActiveX.exe

0009 00000016 C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash\FlashUtil11f_ActiveX.dll

0010 00000019 C:\Windows\SysWOW64\FlashPlayerCPLApp.cpl

=X====== M/11.1.102.62 2012-02-23+20-09-09.306 ========

=O====== M/11.1.102.62 2012-02-23+20-09-12.379 ========

0000 00000010 "C:\Users\jpapadop\Downloads\install_flash_player_11_plugin_32bit.exe"

0001 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerPlugin/Version 2

0002 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerPlugin/PlayerPath 2

0003 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerPlugin/Version 2

0004 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerPlugin/PlayerPath 2

0005 00000020 C:\Windows\SysWOW64\FlashPlayerCPLApp.cpl

0006 00001037 SOFTWARE\MozillaPlugins\@adobe.com/FlashPlayer/ 2

0007 00001037 SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Adobe Flash Player Plugin/ 2

0008 00001036 Software\Mozilla\Firefox\extensions/Plugins 2

0009 00001036 Software\Mozilla\Mozilla Firefox\extensions/Plugins 2

0010 00001036 Software\Opera Software/Last CommandLine 2

0011 00001036 Software\Opera Software/Last CommandLine 2

0012 00001036 Software\Opera Software/Plugin Path 2

0013 00001036 Software\Opera Software/Plugin Path 2

0014 00000014 C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash\NPSWF32.dll

0015 00000015 C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash\FlashUtil11f_Plugin.exe

0016 00000017 C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash

0017 00000019 C:\Windows\SysWOW64\FlashPlayerCPLApp.cpl

0018 00001024 C:\Windows\SysWOW64\FlashPlayerCPLApp.cpl 183

=X====== M/11.1.102.62 2012-02-23+20-09-18.260 ========

=O====== M/11.1.102.62 2012-02-23+20-32-39.479 ========

0000 00000010 "C:\users\jpapadop\temp\tmp\4c3.dir\INSTAL~1.EXE" "c:\users\jpapadop\temp\tmp\4c3.dir\installflashplayer.exe" -install -skipARPEntry -iv 1

0001 00001003 c:\users\jpapadop\temp\tmp\4c3.dir\installflashplayer.exe

=X====== M/11.1.102.62 2012-02-23+20-34-19.246 ========

=O====== M/11.1.102.62 2012-02-23+20-38-44.777 ========

0000 00000010 "C:\users\jpapadop\temp\tmp\97af.dir\INSTAL~1.EXE" "c:\users\jpapadop\temp\tmp\97af.dir\installflashplayer.exe" -install -skipARPEntry -iv 1

0001 00001003 c:\users\jpapadop\temp\tmp\97af.dir\installflashplayer.exe

=X====== M/11.1.102.62 2012-02-23+20-39-17.653 ========

and my C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash contenrs:

Flash11f.ocx

FlashInstall.log

flashplayer.xpt

FlashUtil11f_ActiveX.dll

FlashUtil11f_ActiveX.exe

FlashUtil11f_Plugin.exe

NPSWF32.dll

FlashInstall.log:

=O====== M/11.1.102.62 2012-02-23+20-08-24.911 ========

0000 00000010 "C:\users\jpapadop\temp\tmp\d50c.dir\INSTAL~1.EXE" "c:\users\jpapadop\temp\tmp\d50c.dir\installflashplayer.exe" -install -skipARPEntry -iv 1

0001 00001003 c:\users\jpapadop\temp\tmp\d50c.dir\installflashplayer.exe

=X====== M/11.1.102.62 2012-02-23+20-08-34.837 ========

=O====== M/11.1.102.62 2012-02-23+20-08-50.468 ========

0000 00000010 "C:\users\jpapadop\temp\tmp\3988.dir\INSTAL~1.EXE" "c:\users\jpapadop\temp\tmp\3988.dir\installflashplayer.exe" -install -skipARPEntry -iv 1

0001 00001003 c:\users\jpapadop\temp\tmp\3988.dir\installflashplayer.exe

=X====== M/11.1.102.62 2012-02-23+20-08-56.249 ========

=O====== M/11.1.102.62 2012-02-23+20-09-02.598 ========

0000 00000010 "C:\Users\jpapadop\Downloads\install_flash_player_11_active_x_32bit.exe"

0001 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayer\SafeVersions/11.0 2

0002 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerActiveX/PlayerPath 2

0003 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayer\SafeVersions/11.0 2

0004 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerActiveX/PlayerPath 2

0005 00000020 C:\Windows\SysWOW64\FlashPlayerCPLApp.cpl

0006 00001037 SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Adobe Flash Player ActiveX/ 2

0007 00000013 C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash\Flash11f.ocx

0008 00000015 C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash\FlashUtil11f_ActiveX.exe

0009 00000016 C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash\FlashUtil11f_ActiveX.dll

0010 00000019 C:\Windows\SysWOW64\FlashPlayerCPLApp.cpl

=X====== M/11.1.102.62 2012-02-23+20-09-09.306 ========

=O====== M/11.1.102.62 2012-02-23+20-09-12.379 ========

0000 00000010 "C:\Users\jpapadop\Downloads\install_flash_player_11_plugin_32bit.exe"

0001 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerPlugin/Version 2

0002 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerPlugin/PlayerPath 2

0003 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerPlugin/Version 2

0004 00001036 Software\Macromedia\FlashPlayerPlugin/PlayerPath 2

0005 00000020 C:\Windows\SysWOW64\FlashPlayerCPLApp.cpl

0006 00001037 SOFTWARE\MozillaPlugins\@adobe.com/FlashPlayer/ 2

0007 00001037 SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Adobe Flash Player Plugin/ 2

0008 00001036 Software\Mozilla\Firefox\extensions/Plugins 2

0009 00001036 Software\Mozilla\Mozilla Firefox\extensions/Plugins 2

0010 00001036 Software\Opera Software/Last CommandLine 2

0011 00001036 Software\Opera Software/Last CommandLine 2

0012 00001036 Software\Opera Software/Plugin Path 2

0013 00001036 Software\Opera Software/Plugin Path 2

0014 00000014 C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash\NPSWF32.dll

0015 00000015 C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash\FlashUtil11f_Plugin.exe

0016 00000017 C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash

0017 00000019 C:\Windows\SysWOW64\FlashPlayerCPLApp.cpl

0018 00001024 C:\Windows\SysWOW64\FlashPlayerCPLApp.cpl 183

=X====== M/11.1.102.62 2012-02-23+20-09-18.260 ========

=O====== M/11.1.102.62 2012-02-23+20-32-39.479 ========

0000 00000010 "C:\users\jpapadop\temp\tmp\4c3.dir\INSTAL~1.EXE" "c:\users\jpapadop\temp\tmp\4c3.dir\installflashplayer.exe" -install -skipARPEntry -iv 1

0001 00001003 c:\users\jpapadop\temp\tmp\4c3.dir\installflashplayer.exe

=X====== M/11.1.102.62 2012-02-23+20-34-19.246 ========

=O====== M/11.1.102.62 2012-02-23+20-38-44.777 ========

0000 00000010 "C:\users\jpapadop\temp\tmp\97af.dir\INSTAL~1.EXE" "c:\users\jpapadop\temp\tmp\97af.dir\installflashplayer.exe" -install -skipARPEntry -iv 1

0001 00001003 c:\users\jpapadop\temp\tmp\97af.dir\installflashplayer.exe

=X====== M/11.1.102.62 2012-02-23+20-39-17.653 ========

Report · Feb 24, 2012

Thanks for the log. Could you try cleaning out your temp folder, restarting the system then trying again?

Chris

Report · Feb 24, 2012

I've talked with our installer group and none of us have seen this error before. What version of Windows are you using (Home, Premium, etc) and what locale are you in (US or somewhere else)?

Thanks,

Chris

Report · Feb 27, 2012

I am using Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit and I am in the U.S.

I tried clearing out the temp folder, that did not help. The direcroty under the temp folder that is in the error message actually is the one the installer creates every time, I am assuming in order to install the 32bit software. From what I was able to figure out, the reason it errors out is because it tries to launch itself as a parameter. Here is a snippet from process explorer with the error superimposed: This is where it errors out and the 64-bit is installed but no 32-bit.

Actually both the 64-bit installer and uninstaller exhibit the same behaviour.

Report · Feb 29, 2012

NiteOwl,

Would you re-post the contents of the installation log file in System32 please?

C:\Windows\System32\Macromed\Flash\FlashInstall.log

Thanks,

John

Report · Mar 02, 2012

=O====== M/11.1.102.62 2012-03-02+13-18-12.090 ========

0000 00000010 "C:\users\jpapadop\temp\tmp\56d8.dir\INSTAL~1.EXE" "c:\users\jpapadop\temp\tmp\56d8.dir\installflashplayer.exe" -install -skipARPEntry -iv 1

0001 00001003 c:\users\jpapadop\temp\tmp\56d8.dir\installflashplayer.exe

=X====== M/11.1.102.62 2012-03-02+13-18-13.788 ========

=O====== M/11.1.102.62 2012-03-02+13-18-22.800 ========

0000 00000010 "C:\users\jpapadop\temp\tmp\80d4.dir\INSTAL~1.EXE" "c:\users\jpapadop\temp\tmp\80d4.dir\installflashplayer.exe" -install -skipARPEntry -iv 1

0001 00001003 c:\users\jpapadop\temp\tmp\80d4.dir\installflashplayer.exe

=X====== M/11.1.102.62 2012-03-02+13-18-24.829 ========

Report · Mar 02, 2012

NiteOwl,

It appears that you are still posting the logfile C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash\FlashInstall.log. I can tell because of the "-install -skipARPEntry -iv 1" arguments. These arguments are only sent to the 32-bit installer.

I would like to see your installation log file for the 64-bit installation. This is the location (notice that the 64-bit log file lives in System32, not SysWOW64).

C:\Windows\System32\Macromed\Flash\FlashInstall.log

Thanks,

John

Report · Mar 04, 2012

That is my FlashInstall.log from my system32 directory. As I mentioned before, both of those logs in my System32 and SysWOW64 look identical.

Report · Mar 05, 2012

John,

Just to clarify, here is what I did this morning:

I ran the uninstaller (uninstall_flash_player_64bit.exe, which gave me the error just like above). I then cleaned all my temp and Macromed Directories and rebooted my machine.

I then used the 64bit installers of both the ActiveXand the plugin versions of Flash11. Both times a got an error similar to the wbove (The temp directory changes). Inow have identical FlashInstall.log files in both my System32 and SysWOW64 Macromed/Flash directories containing the following:

=O====== M/11.1.102.62 2012-03-05+14-47-01.138 ========

0000 00000010 "C:\users\jpapadop\temp\tmp\9c5f.dir\INSTAL~1.EXE" "c:\users\jpapadop\temp\tmp\9c5f.dir\installflashplayer.exe" -install -skipARPEntry -iv 1

0001 00001003 c:\users\jpapadop\temp\tmp\9c5f.dir\installflashplayer.exe

=X====== M/11.1.102.62 2012-03-05+14-47-03.941 ========

=O====== M/11.1.102.62 2012-03-05+14-47-20.183 ========

0000 00000010 "C:\users\jpapadop\temp\tmp\e754.dir\INSTAL~1.EXE" "c:\users\jpapadop\temp\tmp\e754.dir\installflashplayer.exe" -install -skipARPEntry -iv 1

0001 00001003 c:\users\jpapadop\temp\tmp\e754.dir\installflashplayer.exe

=X====== M/11.1.102.62 2012-03-05+14-47-21.943 ========

The System32/Macromed/Flash directory also contains:

Flash64_11_1_102.ocx

FlashUtil64_11_1_102_ActiveX.dll

FlashUtil64_11_1_102_ActiveX.exe

FlashUtil64_11_1_102_Plugin.exe

NPSWF64_11_1_102.dll

and Flash works in my 64bit IE works but not in my 32bit IE nor in Firefox 10.

Let me know if you need more info and thanks for your help.

Report · Mar 05, 2012

Have you tried this?

Download these files to your desktop:

Flash Player for Internet Explorer

Flash Player for other browsers

Download this uninstaller:

Windows 64-bit: http://download.macromedia.com/pub/flashplayer/current/uninstall_flash _player_64bit.exe

Exit all browsers and disconnect from the Internet.

Run the uninstaller.

Reboot.

Delete the Flash folder in folders C:\Windows\System32\Macromed and C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed.

Delete the Flash Player folder in folders %appdata%\Adobe and %appdata%\Macromedia.

Run the installers.

Report · Mar 08, 2012

Did that, same result as my post above. Had to use the 32bit installers separately to use Flash in Firefox.

Report · Mar 28, 2012

Have you guys come up with anything else on this?

Report · Mar 28, 2012

Hi NiteOwl,

We're working on it. I will let you know when we have a fix available.

Thanks!

John

Report · Apr 02, 2012

I downloaded the new uninstaller and installers (version 11.2.202.228) and they all work perfectly now.

Thanks for your help.

Report · Mar 28, 2012

NiteOwl13131313 wrote:
Had to use the 32bit installers separately to use Flash in Firefox.

The 64-bit installer will install both 32-bit & 64-bit Flash Players.

Have you tried the latest Flash Player 11.2. 202.228 ?

Adobe Community

Error using the 64bit flash install/uninstall on Windows 7 x64