Chrome 71 - Flash issues Downloading \ Flash out of Date

[gshaw]

Since updating to the latest Chrome build on our Patch Management system (Version 71.0.3578.98) we've started getting issues with Flash not running properly. It'll either come up as "Flash out of Date" or be stuck with a plugin window showing "Downloading".

 

This happens on sites that we've explicitly allowed Flash to run on using the GPO template Chrome > Content Settings > Allow the Flash plugin on these sites

 

Anyone noticed similar behaviour? I can see there's now a Chrome 72.0.3626.96 available from Google so maybe it's fixed in the newer release?

[Rob_D]

I've got Chrome 72.0.3626.96 running here and the flash video on this link works fine. (I'm prompted to allow flash to run, but that's expected with our settings)

 

https://www.dhs.state.il.us/accessibility/tests/flash/video.html

 

I've had mixed results with allow flash GPO setting, more so recently. I guess it's because they're trying to depreciate flash support.

[gshaw]

I've got Chrome 72.0.3626.96 running here and the flash video on this link works fine. (I'm prompted to allow flash to run, but that's expected with our settings)

 

https://www.dhs.state.il.us/accessibility/tests/flash/video.html

 

I've had mixed results with allow flash GPO setting, more so recently. I guess it's because they're trying to depreciate flash support.

 

It seems to be oddly hit and miss, I can refresh the page multiple times and it'll go from Out of Date / Downloading / Working without any other changes. I've stuck with the per domain allows, rather than the workaround of doing [*].* as restricting Flash to trusted sites until it gets deprecated seems like a good idea security wise.

 

I wonder if it's partly to do with Flash detection code on certain sites and if it doesn't see the plugin straight away bombs out while Chrome figures out whether policy allows it, has user clicked run etc.

 

Interestingly just found this thread http://www.edugeek.net/forums/learning-network-manager/192179-chrome-flash-plugin-not-supported-2.html where reinstalling Flash separately fixes Chrome (PPAPI plugin). Surely the whole point of Google bundling Flash in the browser was that we don't need to do a separate install

Edited February 8, 2019 by gshaw

[Rob_D]

I thought chrome's built-in flash went away a while back. We've been using the separate msi (the PPAPI version) for a few years now.

[gshaw]

I thought chrome's built-in flash went away a while back. We've been using the separate msi (the PPAPI version) for a few years now.

 

I've never installed anything but Chrome to get Flash, interesting...

 

Just checked chrome://components and on both Chrome v71 and v72 it shows as having 32.0.0.114 installed, same as what Adobe lists on their site for the PPAPI download. Confused muchly...

Edited February 8, 2019 by gshaw

[Arthur]

We've been using the separate msi (the PPAPI version) for a few years now.

Same here. I had to deploy the Flash Player PPAPI plugin to get Flash working with Chrome since at least 2017.

 

I believe Chrome is also unable to load its own Flash Player plugin if AppData is redirected to a network share.

[gshaw]

Same here. I had to deploy the Flash Player PPAPI plugin to get Flash working with Chrome since at least 2017.

 

I believe Chrome is also unable to load its own Flash Player plugin if AppData is redirected to a network share.

 

Urgh Google why you go backwards

 

Might have to use it as a workaround if I keep seeing the built-in version being shaky. No redirection on our AppData so looks like some kind of wonky deployment of the Flash plugin within Chrome. There's an additional entry in our Patch Management system for Flash Player so that'll likely do the trick.

[Rob_D]

TBH, at this point we're telling staff they should just be looking for non flash alternatives given how close we are to flash going fully EOL. And Google do seem to be leading the charge away from flash.

[gshaw]

TBH, at this point we're telling staff they should just be looking for non flash alternatives given how close we are to flash going fully EOL. And Google do seem to be leading the charge away from flash.

I wish!

 

City & Guilds, AAT, our Health & Safety training all demand Flash. Can only imagine the carnage we'll have in 2020 when it gets killed by the browser entirely [emoji849]

 

We still even have to create IE specific shortcuts for Silverlight apps and Java *shudder*

 

FYI the separate PPAPI installer seems to be doing the trick - thanks for pointing me in the right direction @Rob_D @Arthur

Edited February 8, 2019 by gshaw