Why does Flash Player keep sending me notifications to update to the version I already have?

[Milo_de_Milo]

Why does Flash Player keep sending me notifications to update to the version I already have? The result is always an error message telling me that the version is already running. (Desktop Computer; Windows Vista OS; Firefox; Adobe Flash Version 11.8.800.94)

[pwillener]

I don't know; can you post a screenshot of such a notification?

Did you update both ActiveX (for Internet Explorer) and plugin (for Firefox)?

[Guest]

I am having this problem, too. Using Safari 10.0. I have updated it 3 times today, yet I still get what looks to be legitimate notifications. How can I make these stop. Here is a screenshot. The update version ends in 85, I think.

[_maria_]

Hi,

Please go to System Preferences > Flash Player > Updates tab.  Post a screenshot of the updates tab

Thank you.

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Maria

[Guest]

As you requested . . . Thanks.

[_maria_]

Thank you for posting the screenshot.

Based on the screenshot you have both the NPAPI plugin (for Firefox, Safari) and the PPAPI plugin (for Opera and Chromium-based browsers) installed.  The NPAPI plugin has been updated to the latest version, 23.0.0.185, but the PPAPI plugin is still the previous version, 23.0.0.162.  Updating the PPAPI plugin to the latest version, 23.0.0.185 would stop the update notifications.

Another option is to opt into Background Updates (update option = Allow Adobe to install updates (recommmended) in that Updates tab window).  The Background Update mechanism updates Flash Player silently in the background (with no user interaction) within 24 hours of a new version of Flash Player being released, and all plugin types (e.g. NPAPI, PPAPI) are updated.  The Notification Update mechanism (what you have now) can take up to 7 days to notify you that an update is available.

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Maria

[Guest]

I don't even have any browsers other than Safari and Firefox! So why I should even have the PPAPI plug-in at all is a mystery. Can I delete it?

The reason I don't let it update automatically is that it was told in my Mac user group that that wasn't a good idea and that even the reminders to update can come from bogus sources so it was recommended to always go to the website directly and update from there. Of course, you know that Apple tries to get you not to install Flash Player because it is so dangerous and insecure. And I wouldn't use it except for my inability to read my newspaper without it.

[_maria_]

You must have installed the PPAPI plugin at some point in time.  You can certainly uninstall it if you don't use it.  However, at this time we don't offer an option to uninstall just the PPAPI (or NPAPI) plugin on Mac and the uninstaller uninstalls both if they are both installed on the system.  You'll have to install the NPAPI plugin after.  Please do the following:

1. Download the uninstaller from Uninstall Flash Player for Mac OS
2. Launch Safari or Firefox and download the NPAPI installer from https://get.adobe.com/flashplayer
3. Quit all browsers
4. Run the uninstaller downloaded in step 1
5. After the uninstaller finishes, run the installer downloaded in step 2

When installing you'll be prompted to select an update option.  The default is 'Allow Adobe to install updates (recommended)'.  This option will install Flash Player silently in the background within 24 hours of an update being available.  If you're worried about installing a fake Flash Player (totally understandable) opting into Background Updates is the best option.  I've seen many reports of users clicking 'download' on a fake Flash Player update notification, or being directed to a fake Flash Player download page.  You'd be surprised how creative some of these people are in making their fake notifications and download pages look like official Adobe Flash Player notifications and download pages.