How to Remove Adobe Flash From Windows 10 in 5 Minutes
There’s really no reason for Adobe Flash to sit idle anymore. Nobody uses it, modern web browsers will get rid of it by early next year, and it has been a perpetual thorn in device security for years – although, yes, it allowed us to have some fun on Newgrounds in the olden days.
It’s time to say goodbye. And you’re in luck, because Microsoft has a brand new Windows Update – KB4577586 , which you can then download via Microsoft’s Update Catalog here – which will remove Adobe Flash from Windows 8.1 and Windows 10.
In fact, the hardest thing you need to do is remember which version of Windows you are using. You can check this by clicking the Start button, typing System Information, downloading the application and looking at the System Type lines:
After that, open the Start Menu again, type “winver” and press Enter . You should see something like this:
So, in my case, I know that I will need the x64 (64-bit) version of Windows Update 20H2. However, this specific update does not exist. On the second page of updates – yes, there are two pages and you will go to the second using the Next link in the upper right corner – there is only an update for Windows 10 version 2004, also known as Windows 10 20H1.
This is what I use to ditch Flash on Windows 10. And you should be fine as this update is for the most recent version of Windows 10 available. Otherwise, you should make sure you choose the tool that matches your version of Windows. 10 when possible.
Click the file you want to download and you will see a pop-up window that looks like this.
Click this link to start the download, which will take about a second. Then you will need to open the .MSU file you downloaded in File Explorer and run it.
This will also take about ten seconds. You don’t have to restart your computer or anything like that after that. Adobe Flash will no longer be available. It really couldn’t have been easier if it hadn’t been for offering this update as part of the standard Windows update process, which will undoubtedly happen soon. This is just an early version of the removal tool. Live on the edge.
As BleepingComputer notes, Microsoft’s update does not remove any of the Flash versions you have installed. Grab the Adobe Removal Tool to get rid of them.