With no official download locations and an integrated kill switch for Flash content, Adobe has formally retired Flash.
It is highly advised against using Flash because of security flaws.
Running Flash can be substituted with other methods, such as converting Flash content into video formats or using open-source Flash player emulators like Ruffle.
Since Adobe has taken down all of the Flash download links from its website, it is impossible to obtain the final version—which was made available in December 2020—from a legitimate source.
Additionally, the business included a kill switch in Flash starting with version 32.0.0.387. That version or later will simply stop Flash content from working.
Flash employed the .SWF file extension for exported files intended for web page embedding.
Ruffle, an open-source Flash Player emulator, is a better choice.
A different free and open-source Flash player for Linux and Windows that attempts to support all Flash formats is called Lightspark.
.FLV files can be opened in the same way as any other video file with a free media player such as VLC or MPV.
If your website has a Flash movie or animation, you might want to consider turning it into a video and uploading it there.
Many of the classic Flash games and animations from the late 1990s and early 2000s have been preserved, which is great news if you want to take a trip down memory lane and relive some of those times.
It is strongly discouraged to use an out-of-date version of Flash. It has security flaws and is no longer available from reputable, official download sources.
A lot of cartoons and animations, including Homestar Runner, have been recorded separately and posted to YouTube.
However, a huge number of websites still use Flash, so these solutions—especially Ruffle—should allow you to keep enjoying this content without having to worry about the platform’s security flaws all the time.
Can Flash Still be Used in 2021?
Flash Media (.swf files) can still be opened and played without the need for Flash Player.
Lightspark (ActionScript 3) and Ruffle (ActionScript 1&2) are two well-established Flash Player emulators.
It’s possible that nothing needs to be installed at all if you’re using Google Chrome 87 or any other version!
Installing Waterfox, a contemporary fork of Firefox that ALSO supports many outdated features like Flash Player, is an easy fix.
If you’d prefer to take a more conventional route, u/Cifra85 created a Reddit post explaining how to set up a portable Firefox browser that includes an outdated version of Flash Player.
Adobe has made it known that, beginning in February, they will provide a killswitch workaround for enterprise customers through their partner HARMAN.
With a few small restrictions, .swf files can be executed outside of a browser by using the Flash Player projectors.
Enabling Flash in the New Microsoft Edge
Since Flash will no longer be supported after 2020, the new Microsoft Edge comes with Flash disabled by default.
Here’s how to permanently permit or prohibit Flash on specific websites:
- Navigate to SETTINGS > SETTINGS AND MORE.
- Go to SITE PERMISSIONS in the left navigation.
- Choose Adobe Flash under SITE PERMISSIONS.
- Turn on the ASK BEFORE RUNNING FLASH option by toggling it.
- The browser will request your consent the next time you visit a website that uses Flash before enabling Flash to operate.