Flash will not update and does not work - mentions cannot register and Avtive X

[gg0968]

Hello, I am trying to download the latest version of Flash on Windows XP, it will not update ass it says I have an Active X issue and it cannot register.

Please help

[pwillener]

Try using http://support.microsoft.com/mats/Program_Install_and_Uninstall

Let us know if this fixes your problem, or if you have any difficulties with the program.

[gg0968]

Hi Thanks for the help, but no luck – still getting this message, not really sure why it happened either.

Thank you

Gareth

[pwillener]

It is basically a registry permission problem; I was hoping that Microsoft Fixit would fixit.

There is a more complicated procedure, but let's first try another possible solution.

Go to http://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/installation-problems-flash-player-windows.html#Install_in_a_... and download the 32-bit ActiveX installer.  Save it to disk (you may need to right-click, then save target as).

Next close all browser windows, then right-click on the downloaded installer, and select Run as Administrator.

If that also does not complete the installation, you may need to run the SubInACL procedure from http://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/flash-player-windows-registry-permissions.html

Unfortunately there is no guarantee that this will clear up your problem, as the procedure was created for Flash Player 10.  But anyway, let us know how it goes.

[gg0968]

Hi Pat, still no luck, thanks for trying though – my system is 32bit does that matter?

Kind regards

Gareth

[pwillener]

If both Microsoft Fixit and SubInACL did not fix the problem, then it becomes very complicated.

I wish the Flash Player developers would update the SubInACL procedure for Flash Player 11, but since the error you are encountering is rather rare, this may not happen anytime soon.

What you will have to find out is what registry key(s) is having permission problems.  This can be found out by running the ActiveX installer while Process Monitor is running (filtering the ActiveX installer process).  However, the output is very large (ten thousands of lines), and you will have to check each line for a potential registry permission issue.

Sorry, but apart from reinstalling Windows I have no more options.

[pwillener]

Ok, wait - I have just thought of another potential fix for your problem: download the MSI installer and save it to disk, then close all browser windows and run the downloaded MSI installer.