Jump to content

Adobe Flash - Windows 10 removal update...

Koldov

By Koldov
in Windows 10

 Share

Recommended Posts

Koldov

Koldov

Posted
Posted

Not sure where to put this as it covers a few areas...

 

I didn't think we had much software that relied on Flash (but it is Edu IT after all)....

 

A teacher came to me today complaining that the clock timers on her Smartbook don't work anymore (they put it on the whiteboard to allow students to see the time left on tests).

 

The symbol shown instead seems to be Flash and I guess that Smart animations rely on Flash.

 

Now, although I have held off on releasing the 'Removal of Flash' update from WSUS, the only one that is actually showing is:

 

KB4577586: Update for the removal of Adobe Flash Player for Windows 10 Version 1809 for x64-based systems

 

The laptop in question though is an old one I haven't got round to updating yet and is running 1607 and I can't see any 'Flash Removal Update' on WSUS for any version lower than 1809...

 

Did they sneak in one for lower versions in another update or something? Or are they not bothering with those sorts of updates for 1607 etc.

 

If not why is Flash broken on this laptop?

 

Also, if Smart Notebook relies on Flash, what are the workarounds...?

Chaniel

Chaniel

Posted
Posted

1607? That's been out of support and missing security updates for like 2 years now... You really need to get that updated.

 

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/kb4577586-update-for-the-removal-of-adobe-flash-player-october-27-2020-931521b9-075a-ce54-b9af-ff3d5da047d5

 

KB4577586 applies to basically all Windows versions, so would've removed flash. You shouldn't be trying to re-enable it but rather embrace it's death.

 

https://community.smarttech.com/s/article/Adobe-Flash-objects-are-no-longer-supported-in-Notebook-16-2?language=en_US

 

This article outlines what Smart have done to convert Flash objects to HTML5 ones. The staff need to update their lessons to replace any Flash items, basically.

Michael

Michael

Posted
Posted

If you check within Control Panel, can you see Flash? If not then chances are it's been removed.

 

KB4577586 also applies to 1607 LTSB. As above, it's time to update to HTML5 versions, otherwise it could be a security issue later down the line.

  • 2 weeks later...
flyinghaggis

flyinghaggis

Posted
Posted (edited)

As expected we've had a few staff asking for workarounds (removing the update on specfiic computers, running standalone laptops or some kind of sandbox environment) for Flash based software post this Windows 10 update and end of life. We still have a few flash-based multimedia executable apps used by various departments for teaching and they're asking for methods to continue using the software. As you can imagine most of these apps are over a decade old and seem to be basically abandonware with the companies often no longer in existence so there are no updates for them.

 

Are there any safe workarounds for running Flash based software? I've seen a couple of sandbox Flash environments like Ruffle but I'm not sure how secure they are or if they'd even work for apps built in flash?

Edited by flyinghaggis
paulkerton

paulkerton

Posted
Posted (edited)
As expected we've had a few staff asking for workarounds (removing the update on specfiic computers, running standalone laptops or some kind of sandbox environment) for Flash based software post this Windows 10 update and end of life. We still have a few flash-based multimedia executable apps used by various departments for teaching and they're asking for methods to continue using the software. As you can imagine most of these apps are over a decade old and seem to be basically abandonware with the companies often no longer in existence so there are no updates for them.

 

Are there any safe workarounds for running Flash based software? I've seen a couple of sandbox Flash environments like Ruffle but I'm not sure how secure they are or if they'd even work for apps built in flash?

 

The only real safe workaround is to replace the software they had 3.5 years warning about, I'm afraid.

If you start creating work arounds now, they'll expect them in 5-10 years too. Personally, I'd say you need to be firm and refuse work arounds.

 

Say to them "Remember when they announced Jodie Whittaker was going to be The Doctor" or "Remember when Dunkirk came out at the cinema" and they'll go "Yeah, that was ages ago now"

You can reply "Yeah, that's when they announced Flash was going to go at the end of 2020. You've had plenty of time"

Edited by paulkerton
  • Thanks 3
flyinghaggis

flyinghaggis

Posted
Posted (edited)
The only real safe workaround is to replace the software they had 3.5 years warning about, I'm afraid.

If you start creating work arounds now, they'll expect them in 5-10 years too. Personally, I'd say you need to be firm and refuse work arounds.

 

Staff have been forewarned and I do agree with you though in saying that we should refuse though it's ultimately not my call. To be fair the teacher who asked said they only wanted to use the Flash software to create demonstration videos they could show the pupils so at least it would in theory be temporary. Though often there's nothing so permanent as a "temporary solution" :)

Edited by flyinghaggis
paulkerton

paulkerton

Posted
Posted
Staff have been forewarned and I do agree with you though in saying that we should refuse though it's ultimately not my call. To be fair the teacher who asked said they only wanted to use the Flash software to create demonstration videos they could show the pupils so at least it would in theory be temporary. Though often there's nothing so permanent as a "temporary solution" :)

Ultimately it comes down to security. If Adobe can't guarantee the security of Flash to the point they've stopped supporting it (Revenue of $11bn) its not something a small school's IT team are going to be able to support either. Whoever makes the call, you need to get yourself a paper trail that you can turn around and go "Well I was against it... but..." when it all goes wrong :)

Koldov

Koldov

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

Just playing Devil's advocate here but...

 

Shouldn't we have been pro-active and sorted this out for them?

 

What average user (and I'm including teachers in this) would have the faintest idea what code runs a piece of software, or had any warning that it was going to stop working?

 

Flash? Java? HTML5? C+? Basic? Probably the only 'code' they've ever heard of is Python thanks to the IT curriculum and it still doesn't really sink in that 'everything in' a computer runs on some sort of code.

 

Really, I know we speak a foreign language to those not in IT, but when I told the teacher that MS have removed it because Adobe don't support it and that means that SMARTBOARD won't work seemed like I was explaining quantum theory... and I can't blame them!

 

I'll put my hands up and say I hadn't even put 2+2 together... and given the amount of posts about SMART Notebook 11.4 on here, I'm surprised there aren't more posts about it not working anymore (but I guess not everyone uses the Flash content)... that's why I started the thread in case it was just something wrong with our set-up.

Edited by Koldov
paulkerton

paulkerton

Posted
Posted
Shouldn't we have been pro-active and sorted this out for them?

I'm presuming that people were warned. I warned staff at my previous role. They still went out and procured software that wouldn't work on iPads without consulting IT first, but getting the Head's OK - which caused parent uproar.

It was then made my responsibility to "fix it". You can imagine what happened next, but the head insisted the issue was one for me to solve. As if a 500 pupil school could tell Apple what to do...

Suffice to say, that was part of why I looked to pastures new! :D

KK20

KK20

Posted
Posted
We have removed flash, after all there are no security patches now. I started to warn staff over a year ago and reminded at our INSETs. All it takes is one zero day intrusion and you will have a larger headache. We had similar fun with Java - we didnt go to openJava, we simply warned and then removed.
  • Thanks 1
mdrabble

mdrabble

Posted
Posted

I warned all staff a number of times and listed the software used in school which used flash - including 10 year old boardworks used in science.

 

Had a couple of science staff come and complain that boardworks stopped working when i did updates very recently.

 

I pointed out the warnings I emailed and how flash was a security concern and they should look at purchasing up to date software.

  • Thanks 1
  • 1 month later...
paulkerton

paulkerton

Posted
Posted
Just noticed MS are making the Flash removal update mandatory in July so soon we won't even have the option to disable it by uninstalling the update.

I'm not one to usually praise Microsoft, but... GOOD!

  • 1 month later...
ITGuyNW

ITGuyNW

Posted
Posted
I warned all staff a number of times and listed the software used in school which used flash - including 10 year old boardworks used in science.

 

Had a couple of science staff come and complain that boardworks stopped working when i did updates very recently.

 

I pointed out the warnings I emailed and how flash was a security concern and they should look at purchasing up to date software.

 

Had this very conversation yesterday with an Assistant Head

  • Thanks 1

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing


×
×
  • Create New...