Updating Flash and Java

To avoid crashes and un-secure add-ons, keep your Flash and Java updated.

WARNING!! - Both Flash and Java "update needed" warnings in browser windows are virus traps.

These instructions are as of 7/29/2015 and thanks to Stupidness

FLASH

Update Flash Player to avoid FiestaHacker Exploit kit breach here: http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/otherversions/

Install from drop down menu for ALL browsers you use- after 1st install you can back page to install the next one.

You do not need  to un-install unless Flash Player is not working at all, which means it is corrupted.

Detailed Flash uninstall instructions:

For best results, you will want to have both Internet Explorer & Firefox closed while doing this.

1. Go to Control Panel, type ?flash? in upper right box to locate the Flash applet.  Click ?delete all?? on Storage tab, then check both boxes and click the ?Delete Data? button. Close the applet & Control Panel

2. Re-open Control Panel, open "Uninstall a program." Uninstall Adobe Flash Player - if you have 2 variants, remove them both. Close Control Panel.

3. For these steps, hold down the Windows key and press R to launch the Run box (windows key is 2 keys to left of space bar).

a. copy and paste the path "C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed"
click <OK>, delete all the files and folders there.

b. copy and paste the path "C:\Windows\System32\Macromed", click <OK>, delete all the files and folders there.

c. copy and paste the path "c:\users\%username%\AppData\Roaming\Macromedia", click <OK>, delete all the files and folders there.

d. copy and paste the path "c:\users\%username%\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Flash Player", click <OK>, delete all the files and folders there.

 e. copy and paste the path "c:\users\%username%\AppData\Local\Macromedia", click <OK>, delete all the files and folders there.

f. copy and paste the path "C:\Users\administrator\AppData\Roaming\Macromedia", click <OK>, delete all the files and folders there.

g. copy and paste the path "C:\Users\administrator\AppData\Local\Macromedia", click <OK>, delete all the files and folders there

 h. copy and paste the path "C:\Users\administrator\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\FlashPlayer", click <OK>, delete all the files and folders there.

4. Finally, open Internet Explorer, go to Adobe's webesite and reinstall Adobe Flash Player for it.
  
The Beta FlashDebug plug in update for Chrome/Opera will cause Shockwave to crash, if anyone has that probelm it has to be disabled in browser plugins or uninstalled, either one will stop the crashes.

**Flash crashing on Firefox? Try this:
Got to Firefox > Tools > Add-ons > Shockwave Flash > Options - uncheck Enable Adobe Flash protected mode. That should aleviate most of flash crashes (ty to tequila for this tip)






JAVA - You can get latest version (and correct one for your machine) by clicking big red button on www.java.com. 
The only browser window you should have open when doing install is the one you start the download from. It may tell you to close others.

Java install will likely cause security warnings first time you use it for something, click allow and remember to stop them.



Please also read for tips how to clear Flash and java cache: http://specialoffercentral.blogspot.com/2014/10/clearing-cookies-and-cache.html