Flash

Updated: 09/12/2023 by Computer Hope

Flash may refer to any of the following:

1. Flash is an abbreviation for flash memory.

2. A flash or flashing describes updating a chip's code (firmware). See our flash BIOS (basic input/output system) page for further information on this term.

3. Flash is a term Apple uses to describe an SSD (solid-state drive).

4. Flash is the name of a transition.

Flash video file icon.

5. Short for Adobe Flash, Flash is software that allows users to create animated works saved as .FLV and viewed over the Internet. It was created by FutureWave and known as Future Splash Animator. In 1996, it was renamed and introduced to the public as Macromedia Flash shortly after Macromedia purchased the product. Later, Adobe announced plans to purchase Macromedia, finalized and completed by the end of 2005.

Note

Support for Adobe Flash ended on December 31, 2020. For more information, see Adobe's end-of-support announcement for Adobe Flash.

How can I tell if Adobe Flash is working?

Below is a simple example of the Macromedia flash-enabled logo to determine if your browser has the Macromedia plug-in installed and working. If you do not see anything or see a puzzle piece or broken file, Adobe Flash is not enabled or blocked.

Note

On January 12, 2021, Adobe declared Flash as EOL (end-of-life). Browsers and the Flash player is no longer support playing Flash or SWF (Small Web Format) files.

How do I install Adobe Flash?

To install Adobe Flash, go to the Adobe Flash Player page and follow the instructions.

How do I disable or remove Adobe Flash?

Adobe Flash is used by an Internet browser as an extension or add-on. The extension is usually named Adobe Flash or Adobe Flash Player, and you can disable or remove it by removing the browser extension.

Also, because Adobe Flash is installed on the computer as software, you can also uninstall it using the Windows uninstall feature.

Flash vs. HTML5

Today, more sites are moving away from Adobe Flash in favor of HTML5, which require no additional plugins and works with all the latest browsers and mobile device.

Adobe AIR, Browser, Computer abbreviations, Internet, Internet terms, Plug-in, Shockwave, Silverlight, SWF