Resolve constantly crashing browser due to Flash

Hi all, this is a it of a shortie.

If you recently updated your Adobe Flash you may have noticed that your web browser constantly crashes when you try to play videos.  If you haven’t updated your flash player and it bugs you to, DON’T.  Wait for Adobe to fix the problem.

To correct the issue you have to complete four steps: (1) remove Flash 11, (2) download Flash 10.3, (3) extract the downloaded files and (4) install Flash.  The details for the steps have been listed below.  Once finished your browser will be able to function properly again.  Please note that these are for windows computers only.  You will need to close your browser to perform these actions.  I would reccomend you print them off if you’re not comfortable attempting them yourself.  If you have Mac or Linux (why?) please contact me for help should you require it.

Download Flash Player 10.3

1. Download Flash Player 10.3 by clicking on this link.
2. Be sure to save it to a place you will remember, like the desktop.

Remove Flash Player 11.3

1. Click the Start button.
2. In Windows XP select “Run”.  In Windows Vista or 7 place your cursor in the search bar at the bottom of the start menu.
3. type “appwiz.cpl” without quotations and press enter.  Windows XP users press “Run”.
4. A window should open called “Add or Remove Programs” (XP) or “Programs and Features” (Vista, 7).  Depending on what’s installed you may have one or two instances of Flash installed.
5. Look for Adobe Flash Player 11 ActiveX and Adobe Flash Player 11 Plugin.  Select the first of the two (if available) and then press the “remove” button.  Close the uninstaller when it’s complete.  Repeat this step with the Plugin, if required.  Be sure to close your browser when prompted.

Extract the downloaded files.

1. Browse to the location you saved the downloaded file.  If you saved it to the desktop minimize any open windows you may have until you can see the items on your desktop.
2. Double click the downloaded .zip file to view its contents.
3. Click the blue link in the menu on the left hand side that says “extract all files” (for Windows XP).  Click the button that says “extract all files” (for Windows Vista/7).
4. A window will pop up asking for the location to extract the files.  Be sure to check off the “show extracted files when complete” box just below the file location box.  Leave all other settings at their defaults and press next or extract.
5. Once the file has extracted a window will pop up.  Keep it open and move on to the next section!

Install Flash Player 10.3

1.  With the window open showing the extracted files double click on the folder called “10.3.183.20”.
2. Double click the file called “flashplayer10_3r183_20_win.exe” to install.
3. Close the installer when completed and the window showing the flash player files.
4. Delete the “fp_10.3.83.20_archive.zip” folder from your Desktop (or where ever you saved the file you downloaded).

You can now open your browser and view flash player videos without the constant crashing!  Ignore any messages to update at this time, the current version is unreliable.