Microsoft recently announced through a blog post update that the currently defunct Adobe Flash will be finally removed from all updates on Windows 10 devices beginning July.
After all, many people have been distancing themselves from Flash for over a decade now. Flash brought a series of issues, and many users found it constantly annoying on Windows and Mac. It required continuous patching to enable it to work effectively.
In December 2020, Microsoft released an optional update KB4577586, where users could manually remove it if they wish to. The update was set to prevent reinstalling the Flash after removal.
Automatic Removal of Flash in July
Microsoft is ready with plans to eliminate all Flash updates on Windows 10 devices automatically. It will ensure everyone still using the vulnerable and security-hidden components will have them removed, whether manually or not.
The KB4577586 “Update for Removal of Adobe Flash Player” will help complete the process as users keep their devices secure. The announcement notes the following:
- Beginning June 2021, the Preview Update for Windows 10, version 1809 and the above platforms will include the KB4577586 “Update for Removal of Adobe Flash Player.” It will also appear in all other subsequent Latest Cumulative Updates.
- From July 2021, every Latest Cumulative Update for Windows 10 version 1607 and Windows 10 version 1507 will have the KB4577586 “Update for Removal of Adobe Flash Player.” Monthly roll-ups and Security Only Updates for Windows Server 2012, Windows 8.1, and Windows Embedded 8 Standard will also have the KB update.
Also, any user that tries to update to any new Windows 10 version 21h1 or later will automatically remove Flash. Windows 8.1 users will receive the update too, but they can still manually remove Flash using information from Microsoft update catalog.
Is Flash Gone for Good?
Flash has many security issues, and it won’t run efficiently on several mobile platforms, like iPad, iPhone, and Android. Its best alternatives in various websites are modern web standards that are more secure and have better features. It is the last browser plug-in that gets eliminated after many others, such as Adobe Shockwave, Apple QuickTime, Oracle Java, and more. Adobe blocks all flash content from running on the web, yet you can find some workaround to allow you to run it.
Flash is no longer available for user download from the last update made on December 31, 202. The change will remove Flash even on bundled platforms like Google Chrome, but this will not affect your daily browsing habits. The vast majority of websites stopped using Flash to favor the current browser technologies.
It would be best to avoid using an older version of the Flash Player based on security grounds. However, there are options available for anyone who still wants to access Flash content, but none of her Flash alternatives have support from Adobe. Therefore, there are security risks involved.
The Problems with Flash
People may have noticed the ease of using Flash and will try to work on hacks to help them continue using it. Still, if you can avoid using Flash, it is strongly recommended that you let go of it. Many software or websites still depend on it, but you cannot find any time in the present where you will make smooth transitions. Flash will not come back ever after the complete removal of Windows 10.
Flash powered huge portions of websites at the height of its popularity, where it put a lot of responsibility on Adobe to ensure that it runs effectively. It was a web plug-in and needed maintenance and updates using a single entity. Hackers used it as their prime target because it was vulnerable.
Before long, it got labeled among other browser plugins like ActiveX and Java as security risks. Adobe tried but could not fix Flash, and in 2017, they decided to cease its development and kill Flash fully by 2020. Adobe included updates that would eliminate Flash from devices and barred it from running its final versions.
Flash could still grow because it filled a gap. The rich web content that involved sound, video, animations, and interactivity was possible by browsers and barely complied with its early website standards. The rise of Mozilla Firefox created a greater emphasis on innovations that would eventually replace the use of Flash.
Also, Steve Jobs published an open letter to Mac users detailing that Apple will no longer support Flash. Still, Flash was popular with most users at movement, and the movement was extremely disruptive. However, they first showed people that Flash was no longer necessary as other browser technologies and dedicated native apps would do a better job.
The Apple decision and increased popularity of the iPhone forced a decline of Flash as the developers started to look for alternatives. Also, mobile use increased, and since Flash would not support these devices, it was time to kill Flash.
Life after Flash
By around 2020, it was certain that the web had adapted to the new normal and was not relying anymore on proprietary web technologies. For other tech-savvy individuals, they have been using these for years. These browser technologies render Flash obsolete while geared to help you secure your browsing.
Websites designed entirely in Flash have given way to modern websites. The current HTML used now is responsive and scaled to the size of the screen and device capabilities. Flash used to scale linearly like a vector graphics tool, yet it was not as sophisticated as the current browsers.
The end of the flash era and its retirement is bittersweet at the moment for many users. The browser plug-in was responsible for numerous security issues in its later life but still helps create some of the most memorable moments on the intent that would surpass the test of time. However, you can find some of this content preserved on platforms like YouTube, where you can access animations and videos.
The innovations used in the browsers currently can be overwhelming. Therefore, whenever you seek any assistance in IT, you can talk to the experts at BWS Technologies. Contact us today to learn more about our cybersecurity services.
