Why (and how) is Adobe preventing me from re-installing Flash Player?

[fuadobejerks]

I found a copy of the installation program for version 10.1 on another computer and transferred it to this one, but when I tried to run it, I got a message from Adobe telling me to download the latest version.  DUH!!  The latest version won't work on this computer!  WHY are they doing this?  I'm also wondering HOW they're doing this.  Did they put some hidden files on my hard drive when I went to this web site?  Talk about invasive!  I finally find a copy of the version I need, no thanks to Adobe, and then they actually prevent me from using it!  What am I supposed to do now?  I have programs that won't run anymore, and Adobe has not only been inaccessible and unsupportive, they're actually preventing me from fixing the problem!  This is the most user-unfriendly company I've ever had the misfortune of dealing with. 

[C_F_McBlob]

What OS do you use?
What browser?
Without that information, no one can help.