How to Fix a Flash OCX Error

After originally working correctly, your screensaver, Instant Messenger or other graphics-dependent application now reports the error message: \"Could not find the file Flash.ocx.\" A simple fix for this problem exists. However, depending on (a) whether you have upgraded your computer's Windows operating system, or (b) how and when you installed newer versions of Adobe Flash Player or (c) how robust is the screensaver or other application that is reporting the \"Flash.ocx\" error, this simple fix might not correct the problem so other steps are required. Learn how to fix a Flash OCX error if you are a user of the Windows XP, Windows 2000 and Windows Vista operating systems.

Things You'll Need

• Adobe Flash

Instructions

Rename a Copy of the Most-Recent Adobe Flash OCX File

1. Start Windows Explorer and look for files named \"Flash*.ocx\" in the folder C:\\Windows\\System32\\Macromed\\Flash\\. (\"Flash*.ocx\" means any file whose name starts with the letters \"Flash\" followed by 1 or more digits and/or letters, such as \"Flash9.ocx\" or \"Flash10b.ocx\"). If there is more than 1 such file, identify the file with the most-recent date.

2. Click once on the file's icon and press \"Ctrl+C,\" and then press \"Ctrl+V.\" (This creates the file \"Copy of Flash*.ocx;\" its actual name is based on the name of the file you just copied.) Click on the new file's name (shown below its icon) and enter \"Flash\" as the new name.

3. Close all open applications and reboot your computer. Rebooting ensures all running software that's not visible to you and that relies on Adobe Flash software is restarted automatically.

4. After the computer restarts, resume running the software you believe was reporting the \"Flash.ocx\" error. If the software no longer reports that error, you have been successful and can skip the remaining steps listed below.

Uninstall Adobe Flash Player Using Its Uninstaller

1. Download the Adobe Flash Player Uninstaller (see link in Resources). Save the Uninstaller on your desktop.

2. Close all applications, including those whose icons are shown in the Windows' system tray. To ensure all applications are closed, press \"Ctrl+Alt+Delete.\" In the Windows Task Manager under the Applications tab, click \"End Task\" to stop any additional running applications.

3. Start the Adobe Flash Player Uninstaller. When Adobe Flash Player Uninstaller finishes, delete the Uninstaller file from your Desktop.

Install the Latest Adobe Flash Player

1. Download Adobe Flash Player Installer (see link in Resources). Save the Installer on your desktop. Start the Adobe Flash Player Installer. This installs the latest version of Adobe Flash Player on your computer. When Adobe Flash Player Uninstaller finishes, delete the Uninstaller file from your Desktop.

2. Close all open applications and reboot your computer. Rebooting ensures all running software that's not visible to you and that relies on Adobe Flash software is automatically restarted.

3. After the computer restarts, resume running the software that you believe was reporting the \"Flash.ocx\" error. If the software again reports that error, you must either upgrade the software so that it is compatible with the latest version of Adobe Flash Player, or remove it and replace it with other software that is compatible with the latest version of Adobe Flash Player.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Download the Adobe Flash Player Uninstaller.
• Information About Running the Adobe Flash Player Uninstaller.
• Download the latest Adobe Flash Player.