Flash Player Update! ads: what it is and how to remove it
Flash Player update virus is a type of scam seeking to infect victims with malware. It can appear on either phishing or legitimate website and urge the victim to update the allegedly outdated Adobe Flash Player software.
Facts checked October 7, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.
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Flash Player Update! ads: summary
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
|---|---|
| Distribution | Not recorded in the old report |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Name | Flash Player Update! |
| Type | Adware extension |
| Symptoms | An unknown program in Installed apps |
| Removal | Scan the PC with security software to find and remove the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free. |
Show 4 more facts
| Evidence | 6 write-ups by security sites; details still limited |
|---|---|
| Program | Flash Player Update! |
| First seen | 14 July 2020 |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
Is Flash Player Update! ads dangerous?
From our report of Jul 2020 · not reviewed since
Flash Player Update virus is a scam seeking to trick users into downloading malware
Flash Player update virus is a type of scam seeking to infect victims with malware.
It can appear on either phishing or legitimate website and urge the victim to update the allegedly outdated Adobe Flash Player software. However, it is just an online scam, a deceptive alert that might result in infections such as ransomware, cryptominers, banking trojans, and similar threats. Recently, security experts warned victims that the pop-up is spreading XMRig miner and even ransomware.
Please, ignore the scam if you run into it while browsing the web. Also, to get rid of Adobe Flash Player Update virus, double-check the system with an updated anti-virus. It is highly recommended if you clicked on the fake alert on your browser.
Let us warn you not to recklessly install the update without proof-checking its reliability. Installation of such programs is usually followed by unwanted Adobe Flash Player Update ads, redirections to unknown domains. Here are the main tips how you can distinguish a fake update from the genuine one:
Therefore, some vigilant users might suspect that there is malware behind these notifications and attempt to remove Flash Player Update virus.
Frequently, the adware disturbs users' browsing sessions, and there is no difference which web browser, Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari, is employed. It can show up on all Internet browsers that are installed on the system and ask to update the flash player to its latest version.
It has been revealed that there is also the fake update scam versions spreading on MacOS. If you have already started seeing such alerts on your browser, move on to Flash Player Update removal. For that, you will have to eliminate the adware that is inside your machine.
You may ask so how you can differentiate between real and fake Flash Player Update notifications. Enter the official website of the program and check whether your computer needs an update.
The pop-up messages caused by adware usually emerge while you are browsing. Moreover, an attentive user might notice that the design of the fake update slightly differs from the original one. Take a look at these messages promoted by the adware:
You should not keep this adware for long because you may encounter unpleasant consequences caused by Flash Player Update redirect. In short, you may download the malicious update, or you may be redirected to other websites which offer to purchase other products. Their effectiveness might be questionable.
- alerts suggesting to install the new update might appear on a completely unrelated website, e.g. movie streaming website
- check the URL name of the source before installing the update. Install only from the official distributor. The website should provide you safe "http" connection
- before you run the executable file check whether UAC message indicates the official publisher
From our report of Jul 2020 · not reviewed since
Adobe Flash Player is out of date
Similarly to the original version, Adobe Flash Player is out of date pop-up is a scam that once again abuses the popular name to inject unwanted software onto users' computers.
While in some cases users will be prompted to downloaded bloatware (such as optimization tools, media players, driver updaters, rogue anti-malware, etc.), others might face malware and inject their computers with such treats like banking trojans, ransomware or keyloggers.
Users can encounter fake updates at any time during browsing. Therefore, you should never click "Update" and close down the tab. However, if you encounter bogus messages like Adobe Flash Player is out of date regularly, it is time to scan your machine for potentially unwanted programs.
From our report of Jul 2020 · not reviewed since
Adobe Flash Player Was Not Found
Adobe Flash Player Was Not Found is a scam engineered by cybercriminals to install dangerous software on their computers or making them disclose their sensitive data.
The fake pop-up ad claims that the correct version of "Flash Player was not found" on the system, so the installation of such software is needed to display the alleged content.
What makes this social engineering attack more believable is that it displays credentials which include manufacturer, currently installed version, and the latest version of the Adobe Flash Player. Once "Download and Update" is clicked, users will be redirected to suspicious websites in order to make them download promoted software. Never proceed with such offers as it is a scam, and you may end up with malware on your machine.
From our report of Jul 2020 · not reviewed since
Flash Player is needed
Flash Player is needed is another fake pop-up that prompts users to download the alleged Flash Player.
The goal of such a fraudulent message remains the same: to make users download and install potentially harmful software or make them disclose personal information. As usual, users should not pay attention to such claims and merely close down their browsers.
To completely remove Flash Player is needed pop-ups, users will have to eliminate the associated adware from their computers. The easiest way to do that is by employing security software, although manual elimination is also an option. The instructions provided cover the PUP elimination procedure.
From our report of Jul 2020 · not reviewed since
A Flash Player Update is Required to View this Content
A Flash Player Update is Required to View this Content is a scam created to trick users into downloading a bogus software and bring profits to its authors.
While Adobe Flash has been one of the most downloaded programs on the planet, its functionality is diminishing and soon will be eradicated completely, as new technologies are set in place.
Many browsers, such as Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox, have Flash already embedded into their code. Thus, downloading the application is not needed anymore, unless you want to play kid's flash games. Never trust notifications coming from a site because it is a hoax.
From our report of Jul 2020 · not reviewed since
Infiltration techniques
The adware might have exploited the chance to infiltrate your computer via the recently installed application.
Unfortunately, it is a common mistake not to look through the installation wizards. As a result, the Flash Player Update hijack happens.
If you are willing to escape this PUP again, make sure you choose "Custom" or "Advanced" the next time you are about to install a new program. Afterward, remove all checkmarks placed on the unnecessary add-ons.
Otherwise, you may start noticing alerts that are usually displayed for collecting sales, increasing web traffic or simply redirecting people to suspicious websites. Lastly, you should be aware that this malware may deceive you in installing such dangerous programs as Nation Zoom, Conduit, DoSearches and similar adware that have already initiated serious problems for PC users.
From our report of Jul 2020 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Flash Player Update!
- Numerous threats can be related, including adware, malware, trojans
- To infiltrate the system, the virus is using software bundling, insecure and corrupted websites
- Bogus pop-up messages urging to update Adobe Flash player, ads claiming that Flash Player is out of date
- Infiltration of dangerous viruses, such as ransomware, miners or trojans, the loss of personal information
- If fake Flash Player update ads keep appearing, reset your web browsers and run a full system scan with anti-virus software
- Versions of Flash Player Update virus
How Flash Player Update! ads got into your browser
From our report of Jul 2020 · not reviewed since
While there are many different ways of how malicious actors represent the need to update or install the alleged Flash Player Update, there are many different programs that can hide behind them. In many cases the name of the download represents something familiar, such as:
However, it is important to understand that the executable file can be named as anything, and the familiar words or names are used in order to make the scam more believable. Besides, some executables can be also be named something completely random and unrelated to the initial Flash plugin.
Once the file is executed, the installation begins. In many cases, users will encounter the setup or a browser hijacker (such as CapitaSearch, Optimum Search, Mazy Search, Burst Search, etc.), which later changes the settings of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, MS Edge, or another web browser to deliver sponsored search results and ads - this guarantees monetary benefits to PUP authors.
However, fake Flash Updates can hide something much more sinister, as hackers employ this tactic to distribute malware. Researchers noticed that the .exe file would sometimes install a real version of the Flash Player, and malicious software will be injected in the background. This way, victims are less likely to know that something is wrong.
While threats like Trojans, RATs, cryptojackers, worms, backdoors, and similar, are usually stealthy, the presence of ransomware is noticed almost immediately. Ransomware is possibly one of the most devastating infections around, as it might restrict access to personal files permanently.
One of the best examples is Djvu ransomware, which infects thousands of home users every day, asking them to pay ransom for a decryption tool. While file viruses like Bmic, Repl, Zida, Maas, and similar Djvu versions are mainly spread via software cracks, fake Flash installers might also be employed by hackers.
Thus, if you keep downloading files offered you on random websites, you might not only end up with browser hijackers that change settings, display ads and monetize on your data tracking, but also permanently locked pictures, music, documents, and other data, which can often only be reclaimed by paying a ransom to cybercriminals.
This is another reason to beware of Fake Flash updates and employ powerful security software that would be able to protect your machine comprehensively.
- FlashPlayer.exe
- FlashUpdate.exe
- AdobeFlash.exe, and many others.
How to remove Flash Player Update! ads
How to remove the Flash Player Update! Extension
Do the browser steps in every browser and profile on the PC, then check Windows for the program that installed the extension.
Step 1: Remove extensions you did not add
Flash Player Update! Often works through an extension, so go through the extension list of each browser:
chrome://extensionsedge://extensions- Extensions and themes in Firefox
Switch suspicious extensions off one at a time and reload the page where the problem shows, then remove the one that stops it, and any other you did not add.
Remember the other browsers and profiles on the PC. If Remove is missing or greyed out, a policy forces the extension, which the policy step deals with. Windows 11 and Windows 10 show the same pages.
Chrome on Windows 11: More > Extensions > Manage extensions. Full procedure with screenshots: Remove a browser extension
Step 2: Uninstall Flash Player Update!
Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps in Windows 11, or Settings > Apps > Apps & features in Windows 10.
Sort the list by install date and find Flash Player Update!, then choose Uninstall from the three-dot menu next to it (in Windows 10, click the entry and then Uninstall).
Remove anything else installed on the same day that you do not recognise, because such programs usually arrive together in one installer. If the uninstaller opens a browser page with an offer or a survey, close it: the program is removed either way.
Full procedure with screenshots: Uninstall a program or app in Windows On uGetFix
Step 3: Reset the browser
Finish the browser part with a reset, which puts the search engine, start page, new tab page and site permissions back to their defaults and switches extensions off. Chrome: Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to their original defaults.
Edge: Settings > Reset settings. Firefox: Help > More troubleshooting information > Refresh Firefox, which also removes its extensions. Your bookmarks and saved passwords are kept, and the menus are the same on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Chrome on Windows 11: Settings > Reset settings. Full procedure with screenshots: Reset a browser and fix a hijacked search engine
Step 4: Scan the PC, then run the offline scan
Open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, run a Full scan and remove everything it finds. Then select Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) and click Scan now: the PC restarts and scans before Windows loads, which finds files that hide while Windows runs.
Save your work first, because the offline scan takes about 15 minutes. Both scans are built into Windows 11 and Windows 10, and a second scanner from another vendor is a useful extra opinion.
Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options. Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
Instructions for each browser and system
The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.
Uninstall from Windows
To get rid of the fake Flash Player update ads, you need to uninstall all PUPs that could be triggering this pop-up while you are browsing the web. Additionally, you will have to reset your affected web browsers.
Uninstall from Windows 10/8:
- Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
Remove the unwanted program:
- In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
- If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.
Remove from Google Chrome
Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
- Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
- In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.
Clear cache and web data from Chrome:
- Click on Menu and pick Settings.
- Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
- Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
- Click Clear data.
Change your homepage:
- Click menu and choose Settings.
- Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
- Click on Open a specific or set of pages and click on three dots to find the Remove option.
Reset Google Chrome:
If the previous methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the unwanted components:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
- Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
- Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
- Confirm with Reset settings.
Remove from Microsoft Edge
Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:
- Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
- From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
- Click Remove.
Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.
Restore new tab and homepage settings:
- Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
- Then find On startup section.
- Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.
Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:
- Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
- Select Details tab.
- Now scroll down and locate every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right-click on each of them and select End Task to stop MS Edge from running.
Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):
- Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
- Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.
Clear cache and site data:
- Click on Menu and go to Settings.
- Select Privacy, search and services.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Under Time range, pick All time.
- Select Clear now.
Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- On the left side, pick Reset settings.
- Select Restore settings to their default values.
- Confirm with Reset.
- This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.
Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
To fix Firefox and get rid of the fake Flash Player Update, reset this web browser fully.
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
- Select Add-ons.
- In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.
Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Settings.
- Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.
Clear cookies and site data:
- Click Menu and pick Settings.
- Go to Privacy & Security section.
- Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
- Click on Clear Data...
- Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.
Reset Mozilla Firefox
If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
- Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.
- Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
- Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.
Delete from Safari
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
- Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.
Clear history and website data:
- Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
- Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari:
- Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
- Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.
Delete from macOS
Remove the unwanted application:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).
Delete leftover files and folders:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
- Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.
- Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.
Reset Internet Explorer
Remove dangerous add-ons:
- Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
- Pick Manage Add-ons.
- You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.
Change your homepage if it was altered:
- Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
- Select Internet Options.
- In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
- Click Apply and then select OK.
Delete temporary files:
- Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
- Under Browsing history, click Delete...
- Select relevant fields and press Delete.
Reset Internet Explorer:
- Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
- Select Reset.
- In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.
Do not let government spy on you
The government has many issues in regards to tracking users' data and spying on citizens, so you should take this into consideration and learn more about shady information gathering practices.
Avoid any unwanted government tracking or spying by going totally anonymous on the internet.
You can choose a different location when you go online and access any material you want without particular content restrictions. You can easily enjoy internet connection without any risks of being hacked by using VPN.
Control the information that can be accessed by government any other unwanted party and surf online without being spied on. Even if you are not involved in illegal activities or trust your selection of services, platforms, be suspicious for your own security and take precautionary measures by using the VPN service.
Backup files for the later use, in case of the malware attack
Computer users can suffer from data losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings.
Ransomware can encrypt and hold files hostage, while unforeseen power cuts might cause a loss of important documents. If you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work. It is also equally important to update backups on a regular basis so that the newest information remains intact - you can set this process to be performed automatically.
When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware strikes out of nowhere. Use for the data restoration process.
From our report of Jul 2020 · not reviewed since
Get rid of a fraudulent Flash Player Update virus
If you have been bothered by Flash Player Update virus, it is high time you uninstalled it.
There are two ways how you can do that. The first option includes manual elimination. Bear in mind that attention and precision are required in order to ensure complete Flash Player Update removal and eliminate all related adware and similar viruses.
The software is specifically designed for eliminating such pests. It will remove Flash Player Update virus shortly and check whether there are other risks in the device. British netizens should be more vigilant dealing with the fake application.
Questions about Flash Player Update! ads
What is Flash Player Update! And why is it on my PC?
Flash Player Update! Is a program that was installed on the PC, most likely together with something else you downloaded. Free software sites and many installers add extra programs on setup pages with pre-ticked boxes, so the extra install looks like your choice even though nobody read the page.
Check the install date in Settings, Apps, Installed apps: the program you installed that day is the probable carrier. If you do not need Flash Player Update!, uninstall it. If it belongs to your hardware or to a program you use, search its exact name and publisher first, because drivers and their tools can have unfamiliar names.
Flash Player Update! Will not uninstall. What can I do?
First restart the PC and try again, because the program may have been running and locked its own files. If the uninstaller is missing or fails, start Windows in Safe Mode, where most third-party programs do not start, and remove Flash Player Update! From Installed apps there.
If it still refuses, delete its startup entry and its scheduled task, restart, and try once more. A program that actively prevents removal is behaving like malware, so finish with a Microsoft Defender offline scan. Avoid third-party uninstallers offered on search ads; several of them are unwanted programs themselves.
I let a "support technician" from an ad connect to my PC. What should I do?
Act quickly but calmly. Disconnect the PC from the internet first, so the connection ends. Uninstall the remote access tool they asked you to install and check Installed apps for anything else added during the call.
Run a Microsoft Defender full scan and offline scan. From another device, change your e-mail and banking passwords and sign out of all sessions.
If you paid by card, bank transfer or gift card, contact your bank or the card issuer immediately, and report the scam to the police. Do not answer if they call back.
Can an adware pop-up infect my PC just by appearing?
No. A pop-up, a notification or a new tab is only a web page or a message. It cannot run programs on Windows by itself, provided the browser and Windows are up to date. Infection needs a step from you:
- running a downloaded file
- installing an extension
- giving a stranger remote access
That is why scam pages work so hard to make you click. Close such pages with the tab's X or by closing the browser, not with buttons inside the page, which may start a download.
Why is my browser so slow since the ads started?
Each page now does extra work. An adware extension reads the page, decides where to put ads, loads them from ad servers and reports your visit, and that happens on every tab. Ad-supported programs add their own background activity.
Removing the extension or program usually makes the browser fast again at once. If it stays slow, open the browser's own task manager with Shift+Esc in Chrome or Edge and look for extensions using a lot of memory or processor time.
My scan found nothing, but the ads continue. Why?
Because the source may not be a file a scanner looks for. Browser notifications are a permission stored in the browser, and many adware extensions are not flagged because they come from an official store.
Some ad-supported programs are only reported if you enable detection of potentially unwanted apps. So a clean scan does not mean the job is done. Check each browser's notification permissions and extension list by hand, and turn on Potentially unwanted app blocking in Windows Security before scanning again.
Did Flash Player Update! Collect my data?
Adware typically collects what it needs to choose ads:
- the sites you visit
- search terms
- approximate location
- browser and system details
Extensions with permission to read and change data on all websites can technically see everything on those pages, including forms. That is a privacy problem rather than proof of theft.
If you typed card details or passwords while it was active, changing the most important passwords is a reasonable precaution. Clearing cookies after removal ends the tracking sessions it may have started.
Do I need to reset my browser after removing Flash Player Update!?
A reset is a good last step, because it undoes settings that the program changed. A reset restores the home page, new tab page and default search engine, and turns off extensions.
It does not delete your bookmarks or saved passwords in the main browsers. Add back only the extensions you trust, one at a time.
Will Fortect remove Flash Player Update!?
Fortect scans Windows for malware and unwanted programs and repairs the system files and settings they change, and its free scan shows what it finds on your PC before you decide anything.
For Flash Player Update!, follow the plan above as well: the browser steps take back permissions and settings that no scanner treats as a threat, and uninstalling the program that brought it removes the source.
Run Microsoft Defender's full scan and, if anything was found, its offline scan as a second opinion. If the symptoms are gone after the plan and both scans are clean, there is nothing more to do.
Sources
- Hackers Terminal: What is Remote Access Trojan? (read October 7, 2026)
- Google Chrome Help: Use notifications to get alerts (no longer online) (read October 7, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 7, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Defender Offline (read October 7, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: How Microsoft names malware (read October 7, 2026)