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I can't update outdated Adobe Flash Player and Reader plug-ins for Firefox because Adobe Download Manager window is empty and can't do anything within it.

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I've downloaded the Flash Player plug-in for Firefox .exe installer file with no problem, but when I click Run to open it and complete the installation, a blank Adobe Download Manager window opens and I can't continue or do anything with it. Same problem with the Reader plug-in installer file.

I have Windows XP Professional SP3.

I've downloaded the Flash Player plug-in for Firefox .exe installer file with no problem, but when I click Run to open it and complete the installation, a blank Adobe Download Manager window opens and I can't continue or do anything with it. Same problem with the Reader plug-in installer file. I have Windows XP Professional SP3.

All Replies (12)

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Are you closing Firefox before trying to run the Adobe Flash installer?

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I closed Firefox before running the installer and got the same result - the Adobe Download Manager window is still blank and unresponsive.

Also, Adobe Download Manager for Internet Explorer opens up for some reason when I close the first one. It is also unresponsive.

Modified by 1Mickey

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Unless you use a recent version of Photoshop or other Creative Suite products, I suggest uninstalling the Adobe Download Manager if you find it in Add/Remove Programs, since it probably is an ancient version that you don't really need. Modern Flash player installers include the ability to check for updates on their own.

And then try the "full" installers on this page: https://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/distribution3.html

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I did not find the Adobe Download Manager in Add/Remove Programs, but when I tried the full installer, it worked!

Thanks a lot!

Now how can I do the same thing for Adobe Reader? It's not on this page where Flash "full" installers are.

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Do you want to update Adobe Reader or download a whole new version? To update the version you have, use the Help > Check for Updates item on its menu. You should eventually get to 11.0.11.

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I was only able to check for the Adobe Reader updates this morning, and the Adobe Reader Updater window has opened saying No Updates Available - Installed: Adobe Reader XI (11.0.08). I understand it's not the latest version, but the Updater does not give me any way to do anything about it. Any advice?

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On Windows 7, we're up to 11.0.11. I don't know whether Adobe has stopped updating Reader for Windows XP. That would be unfortunate.

Adobe Reader XI is still listed as supporting Windows XP, unlike the newer Reader DC product. https://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/policy-pricing/system-requirements-adobe-reader.html

You could try this page for the "patch" file: http://www.adobe.com/devnet-docs/acrobatetk/tools/ReleaseNotes/11/11.0.11.html (I think it's the second one, 44.5 MB!).

I found an even larger full installer for 11.0.10 here if needed: ftp://ftp.adobe.com/pub/adobe/reader/win/11.x/11.0.10/en_US/ (If English-US is not your preferred language, click "Up to higher level" or "Parent directory" to find your preferred language).

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Thanks, I've successfully installed 11.0.11 patch (45 MB). However, when I checked Mozilla's Plugin Status, it is showing that the newly installed 11.0.11.18 is still Outdated and needs to be Updated Now. I assume that 11.0.10 is an older version and so I have not tried to install it. Even though my computer shows that I have Adobe Reader XI installed, when I click on Update Now on Mozilla's Check Your Plugins page, Adobe Acrobat Reader DC download interface opens (as is the case from the beginning of my original problem with Adobe Download Manager). I recall it's possibIe I might have downloaded Reader DC not too long ago when prompted by Adobe. Since it is not supporting Windows XP, what should I do? As I've mentioned, CCleaner and Desktop icon both show that I have Reader XI installed (which is what opens when I click on the desktop icon) and I do not see Reader DC anywhere except when I click on Plugins' Update Now. This somewhat confuses me as to which Reader product I now really have. Sorry for the long explanation of the problem.

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1Mickey said

Thanks, I've successfully installed 11.0.11 patch (45 MB). However, when I checked Mozilla's Plugin Status, it is showing that the newly installed 11.0.11.18 is still Outdated and needs to be Updated Now.

I think there is a glitch in the plugin checker site, or this could be the classic "only the latest is up-to-date" problem, familiar to Adobe Reader X users, because DC uses a different numbering scheme. As far as I can tell, you are good.

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Thank you very much for your help.

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Hello and thank you, jscher2000. I have Windows Vista Ultimate Service Pack 2. I have had same problems and results as 1Mickey for updating the Adobe Reader plug-in. Following your advice, I downloaded the larger full installer for 11.0.10 from the link that you provided (ftp://ftp.adobe.com/pub/adobe/reader/win/11.x/11.0.10/en_US/ ). I then had to uninstall my Adobe Reader XI (11.0.08) version before I was able to use the patch link that you provided. When I checked the system requirements for Adobe's Reader DC, I discovered that Windows Vista is not on the list, so I am assuming that version 11.0.11.18 which I now have is OK for me also at this time. Thanks again.

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Hi prpl62, as long as Help > Check for Updates within Adobe Reader XI is happy, I'm happy.