Bl**dy Adobe updates

G_M

Every month or so I get an on-screen message:

"An update to Adobe Flash Player is available" plus options:

"remind me later" or "Install".

How do I switch off these pesky reminders?

After updating last year I had 2 nightmare months where Adobe (and other stuff) stopped working, only resolved eventually by

* de-installing Adobe completely
* re-intsalling the earlier version AND
* creating a whole new user account

It now works fine but I have no intention of tempting fate by updating again.

Most software, you can open the programme and switch off automatic updates/reminders etc. I can't even find Adobe, let alone adjust settings - but I know it's there....

railbuff

be warned that keeping earlier versions could stop some things working as usually when something else updates link windows they will need the latest flash

mr_fishbulb

If you don't update flash, then you might find yourself back on this board asking how to remove a virus from your machine. It's one of the common exploit vectors for running malicious code on machines. So whilst it can be annoying to update, it is worth it.

Newer versions come with an option to allow it to automatically update, without you having to do anything:

bod1467

I always select the 2nd option - I don't want ANYTHING updating on my PC without me knowing about it.

(Yes, I let Avast auto-update the virus defs, but it always tells me about it. And I don't auto-update the program - it tells me when it wants to update and I can choose when and if).

mr_fishbulb

bod1467 wrote: »

I always select the 2nd option - I don't want ANYTHING updating on my PC without me knowing about it.

Do you use Chrome?

S0litaire

to turn off the "update" popups you need to stop a program from running at boot.

Goto "Start" the search for "msconfig.exe"
open it and select "services" tab

sort the names alphabetically and you should see "Adobe Flash Player Update Service" listed.
Remove the tick next to it and click "apply" then "OK" it will ask you if you want to reboot say no for now.

waddler_8

The updates are bug fixes & security updates.

https://www.adobe.com/support/security/#flashplayer

The security updates are to fix vulnerabilities targeted by exploits.

http://blogs.technet.com/b/security/archive/2012/07/19/the-rise-of-the-black-hole-exploit-kit-the-importance-of-keeping-all-software-up-to-date.aspx

http://www.securelist.com/en/analysis/204792250/IT_Threat_Evolution_Q3_2012#4

You'll find access to the Flash Player settings through the Windows Control Panel. Click the advanced tab to choose update options. You'll find the Flash Player updater running as a background service (services.msc)

bod1467

mr_fishbulb wrote: »

Do you use Chrome?

Yes. It only updates when I tell it too. (Or rather, when I go to Settings | About).

PDC

They do seem to be appearing more and more often. If it wasn't for the iPlayer I'd uninstall Flash completely.

Niv

meh, I get the message that I need to update when i try to watch a video / listen to BBC radio when using IE, I install, it says it installed then I still cant access the radio etc (same message - need to update).. I then access the same site via crome and it works. This has been tha case for a while so I am now in the process of using Crome and not bothering with IE.

mr_fishbulb

Niv wrote: »

meh, I get the message that I need to update when i try to watch a video / listen to BBC radio when using IE, I install, it says it installed then I still cant access the radio etc (same message - need to update).. I then access the same site via crome and it works. This has been tha case for a while so I am now in the process of using Crome and not bothering with IE.

Chrome uses its own instance of flash, which it updates itself - http://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/flash-player-google-chrome.html