Flash Removal in Windows Updates

[Jody Thornton]

If I download this October’s updates from the Microsoft Catalog for Windows Server 2012 or for Windows 8.1, do they still remove the built in Adobe Flash component?

I last installed updates on Windows 8 back in June. I'm hoping I can skip the last three months (which include the Flash removal tool), and resume installing updates in October and November (that is provided the Flash removal tool is no longer part of the updates),

I want the built in ActiveX Flash for running LOCALLY INSTALLED games like Yeti Sports. I'm not wanting to use Flash as a web-based plugin.

 

[erpster4]

unfortunately, yes
flash activex gets removed with the Oct 2021 Win8.x updates (at least with the KB5006714 rollup as I installed that onto a Win8.1 OS and MUC claims that KB5006714 replaces KB4577586 for W8.1)

edit - MS will continue to include flash activex removal in their recent win8.x monthly rollups until win8.x goes eol on jan. 2023

 

[Jody Thornton]

OK so if I just use the Security-Only updates, would I fare better there? I've NEVER used the rollups. I only use Security-Only updates.

This is not unprecedented. I skipped an update in early 2018 that had the Spectre/Meltdown workarounds. I proceeded with every month after that until July of this year with no issues whatsoever.

 

[erpster4]

I will need to ask abbodi & few other members in MDL forums about installing recent security-only updates for Win8.x & retaining flash but the MDL forums is currently down, atm

he & maybe a few others there might know more on this

edit - you're just gonna have to wait a little longer, Jody
MDL forums is still down - will check back there in several hours when that comes back up and then I'll try asking abbodi about this

 

[Jody Thornton]

I will need to ask abbodi & few other members in MDL forums about installing recent security-only updates for Win8.x & retaining flash but the MDL forums is currently down, atm

he & maybe a few others there might know more on this

edit - you're just gonna have to wait a little longer, Jody
MDL forums is still down - will check back there in several hours when that comes back up and then I'll try asking abbodi about this

That's perfectly OK. Hey - you're being VERY helpful

 

[erpster4]

@Jody

I got a recent response from abbodi in MDL forums and he told me this:

Only KB5004285 (July 2021 Security-only update) include Flash removal

so you can install the newer security-only updates for Win8.x (including the recent Oct. 2021 KB5006729 security only update for Win8.1 / Server 2012 R2 or KB5006739 security only update for Win8.0 embedded / Server 2012 R0) which do NOT include flash removal, despite what Microsoft said for the Aug. 2021 & Sep. 2021 Win8.x security-only updates

definitely avoid all rollups from July 2021 & beyond and sticking with security-only updates

 

[Jody Thornton]

@Jody

I got a recent response from abbodi in MDL forums and he told me this:



so you can install the newer security-only updates for Win8.x (including the recent Oct. 2021 KB5006729 security only update for Win8.1 / Server 2012 R2 or KB5006739 security only update for Win8.0 embedded / Server 2012 R0) which do NOT include flash removal, despite what Microsoft said for the Aug. 2021 & Sep. 2021 Win8.x security-only updates

definitely avoid all rollups from July 2021 & beyond and sticking with security-only updates

I shall try it. Wish me luck. I'll be back in a ..... flash

 

[erpster4]

ok. please report back after installing the recent security-only updates whether or not the flash.ocx file(s) remain in those
windows\system32\macromed\flash & windows\syswow64\macromed\flash folders (assuming a 64bit Windows 8.x OS is used)

I trust abbodi's words since he checks the contents of those win8.x updates

edit - also it's best to make a backup of your Win8.x system before installing any recent security-only updates

edit2 - only on the Win8.1 / Server 2012 R2 side, KB5004285 security-only update include flash removal
on the Win8 Embedded / Server 2012 (R0) side, the KB5004302 & KB5005904 security-only updates have flash removal
KB5005106 Aug. 2021 security-only update for Win8.1 and newer security-only updates do NOT include flash removal
KB5005607 Sep. 2021 security-only update for Win8 Embed / Server 2012 and newer do NOT include flash removal

 

[Jody Thornton]

Well I have a recent disk image, so I'm good there. But I installed the October 2021 (KB5006732) update AND ......................

Flash Works!!!! I'm using Server 2012 updates to patch the original Windows 8.

From what I knew, the Security Only updates for July, August and September 2021 have the Flash removal. So I am glad to see that October does not.

 

[Jody Thornton]

KB5007245 was issued today, and it appears to be the same situation, so I'll chance my luck and install it this evening.

 

[Jody Thornton]

KB5007245 has been installed - and Flash STILL works

 

[Teeotsa]

Just don't install updates at all

 

[Jody Thornton]

Just don't install updates at all

I was doing that, but I'd like to at least add some security.

 

[Teeotsa]

I was doing that, but I'd like to at least add some security.

Those updates won't really make your system any more secure (I mean Windows Server 2012 Updates). Maybe move to Windows 8.1?

 

[Jody Thornton]

How would I be any better off on Windows 8.1 than on Windows 8 with Server 2012 updates? You realize Server 2012 and Windows 8 are CODEBASE IDENTICAL right? Even the updates are called Windows8RT-KBxxxxx. Server 2012 R2 and Windows 8.1 are alike as well. The updates are indeed effective.

From a merely desktop perspective, Windows 8 is not much below Windows 8.1. Most of the latter's improvements related to Metro and apps. In fact, sometimes, file access speed and responsiveness have been noted to be superior in Windows 8.

 

[Jody Thornton]

Since 2016. Unfortunately, this forum never really embraced this, but it was a hit on MSFN.

Server 2012 Updates on Windows 8

Well in about a week and a half, Patch Tuesday arrives sans any updates for Windows 8 (as support ran out for the OS on the 12th of January). So after running System Restore, I will be running WSUS Offline and downloading February's updates for Server 2012. I'll check the bulletins for each patch...

msfn.org

 

[Teeotsa]

How would I be any better off on Windows 8.1

You could get Windows Updates directly from Control Panel, that's the only reason i said that There is no need to be mad or anything like that

You realize Server 2012 and Windows 8 are CODEBASE IDENTICAL right?

I do

 

[Jody Thornton]

Oh I wasn't mad at all. Caps were just meant for emphasis. All good my friend.

 

[Teeotsa]

Oh I wasn't mad at all. Caps were just meant for emphasis. All good my friend.

Thank you, and i already thought you were mad...

 

[dave67]

How would I be any better off on Windows 8.1 than on Windows 8 with Server 2012 updates? You realize Server 2012 and Windows 8 are CODEBASE IDENTICAL right? Even the updates are called Windows8RT-KBxxxxx. Server 2012 R2 and Windows 8.1 are alike as well. The updates are indeed effective.

From a merely desktop perspective, Windows 8 is not much below Windows 8.1. Most of the latter's improvements related to Metro and apps. In fact, sometimes, file access speed and responsiveness have been noted to be superior in Windows 8.

The difference is 8.1 boots you directly into the desktop when first setting up. Btw does the weather app still work in 8?