How Can I Tell If I Have Macromedia Flash Player 7 on My Computer?

Many computers use old versions of Macromedia Flash Player (now Adobe Flash Player). Outdated versions of the Macromedia Flash Player Web browser plugin contain security vulnerabilities not present in newer versions. Upgrade your computer's Adobe Flash Player if your computer has Macromedia Flash Player 7 on it. Tell if you have Macromedia Flash Player 7 on your computer using Adobe's Flash Player Version Test website or your Web browser's plugin control panel.

Instructions

Using Adobe's Flash Player Version Test website

1. Open Adobe's "Version Test for Adobe Flash Player" website. (See Resources.)

2. Wait for the Flash Player plugin to load. If you still see a broken image or plugin frame after waiting, you have no versions of the Flash Player plugin installed.

3. Read the version number to the right of "Your Player Version." If it begins with a "7," you have Macromedia Flash Player 7 on your computer.

Using Internet Explorer's Add-ons window

1. Open Internet Explorer's Add-ons window. Click "Tools" near the upper-right corner of the Internet Explorer window, then click "Manage Add-ons."

2. View all add-ons. Click the box beneath "Show:" in the "Manage Add-ons" window, then click "All Add-ons."

3. Find the Flash Player plugin's version number. Look for a plugin name starting with "Shockwave Flash" and read the number in the "Version" column. If this number begins with a "7," your computer has Macromedia Flash Player 7.

Using Mozilla Firefox's Add-ons Window

1. Open Mozilla Firefox's Add-ons window. Click "Tools" on the menu at the top of the Mozilla Firefox window, then click "Add-ons."

2. Open the Add-ons window's Plugins section. Click "Plugins" at the top of the "Add-ons" window.

3. Find the Flash Player plugin's version number. Scroll down in the "Plugins" window until you see a plugin named "Shockwave Flash." Read the version number to the right of it. A Macromedia Flash Player 7 series plugin's version number begins with "7."

Tips & Warnings

• "Macromedia Flash Player" is the same application as "Adobe Flash Player." Adobe purchased Macromedia.

• Install a newer version of the Adobe Flash Player plugin if your computer uses Flash Player 7. Flash player 7 is vulnerable to attack. Download the latest version from Adobe's "Install Adobe Flash Player" website. (See Resources.)

References

• Adobe: Security Bulletin: MPSB05-07 Flash Player 7 Improper Memory Access Vulnerability
• Microsoft: How to manage Internet Explorer add-ons in Windows XP Service Pack 2
• Mozilla: Troubleshooting Plugins

Resources

• Adobe: Version Test for Adobe Flash Player
• Adobe: Install Adobe Flash Player