How to Install Flash on Ubuntu Linux, the Easy Way!

Intro: How to Install Flash on Ubuntu Linux, the Easy Way!

One of the the few things I don't like about Linux is how hard it can be to install new applications, or plugins, this can be hard if you aren't very good using Command lines and prefer using a GUI - pronounced Gooey (graphical user interface)

this instructable covers using 7.10 (gutsy gibbon) it should work with most Ubuntu distros though.

STEP 1: Getting the Required Stuff

before doing this please follow This instructable, otherwise this will not work you can find it

ok first you need to go to http://www.adobe.com then click the "get flash" icon on the right hand side of the page. It should automatically detect the fact that you are using Linux and give you the correct file types.

click download, and save to disk the tar.gz file you DON'T want the .rpm or YUM files.

STEP 2: Actually Installing It

it won't work yet, go to a website that uses flash, a good example would be www.youtube.com

try and play a video, it won't work thats what we are going to do now, make it work, over the next two steps!


go ahead and open the tar.gz file, and click extract, a new window will pop up, asking you where you want to extract it to, select your desktop (it should select your desktop by itself anyway).

STEP 3: Installing It

actually some of the online tutorials and that I have read make this bit seem really complicated, there is a way to do this using the sudo (super user do) command, but that is quite complex for first time users also if you follow this method rather than the sudo method (which is harder) you will have to do this for every user on you computer (i think.)

anyway, go to the desktop, you will see a folder called the same thing as the tar.gz file you downloaded (something like install_flash_9_linux)

open that folder, you will see that there are two icons in that, click on the FlashPlayer-Installer Icon

now you should get a message, choose "run in terminal" now here is the first time that you are actually going to have to use a command line, and it is really easy!

make sure you read all the instructions as they come up, make sure you have no browsers running, that means Firefox Sea monkey etc.

when you see the "install action summary" press Y (yes) and enter, if you press Q it will give you a load of info about it (boring) or N will not install it (it means no).

let it do its thang, and when it is finished, close it and start firefox, go to youtube and viola

STEP 4: After Thoughts

I believe you can preform a similar procedure to this using Java although I have not installed it (I have no need for it, though obviously getting the required files will be different seeing as it will be from sun micro systems not adobe)

Also although this instructable can help you avoid using Ubuntu's command line (terminal) as much as possible it is a good idea to be able to use it and be relatively competent in its use, because there will be times when you have to use it!

but you will in time get to learn the basic commands such as "sudo apt-get install" etc in time, its all part of the Ubuntu experience (how corny does that sound)

I do read my comments so if this isn't working for you, please use the comments section and I shall endeavor to to help you, (after all it is part of the concept of Ubuntu, remember "I am because you are."


Peace

F1x0r

Comments

[admin]

This is a great Instructable, but you need to add a main image of the final project to the intro step. Please do that and leave me a message when you have so that we can publish your work. Thanks!

[henny1963]

Is this still done this way? Because when I download the tar.gz file and unpack it, there is no FlashPlayer-Installer Icon. And when I try to do it commandline, it doesn't work neither. Sudo apt-get etc gives a message that I have to choose 1 of 2. I have the latest Ubuntu, I think 17.04

Thanks

Henny

[skyler17]

Hi, I'm trying to follow the steps. I keep on getting this error:

Archive: /home/user/Downloads/Adobe_Flash_Player_11.5.502.110_(32_64_bit).exe
[/home/user/Downloads/Adobe_Flash_Player_11.5.502.110_(32_64_bit).exe]
End-of-central-directory signature not found. Either this file is not
a zipfile, or it constitutes one disk of a multi-part archive. In the
latter case the central directory and zipfile comment will be found on
the last disk(s) of this archive.
zipinfo: cannot find zipfile directory in one of /home/user/Downloads/Adobe_Flash_Player_11.5.502.110_(32_64_bit).exe or
/home/user/Downloads/Adobe_Flash_Player_11.5.502.110_(32_64_bit).exe.zip, and cannot find /home/user/Downloads/Adobe_Flash_Player_11.5.502.110_(32_64_bit).exe.ZIP, period.

[N1CK4ND0]

Omg finally, I have still yet to set up flash on my Ubuntu server, then again, I don't really need it... But good 'ible anyway!

[wazupwiop]

umm.... why can't you just get a flash plug-in for firefox? Instead of having to do it this way

[magnus0]

Actually it's easier from the terminal. just type: sudo apt-get install flashplugin-nonfree and you're done

[F1X0R]

I tried that when I was first using ubuntu but it didn't seem to work.

[magnus0]

It has always worked for me. Basically it's the same thing, it downloads the same plugin from the adobe site, and does the installing for you.

[F1X0R]

eh I couldn't get it to work. must just be my bad typing or something. To be honest I think this way is better for those making the transition from windows because terminal can seem quite scary at first. everything in windows is GUI rather than command line based with the exception of command prompt but not many people use that at all. installing everything is done by "wizards." This I think makes terminal seem quite a bit less scary.

[LevLiveDotCom]

Actually, if you have problems with command line management, then it may be easier to in fact download the rpms. While rpms are designed for Redhat systems, they usually can be converted to be fully functional Debian packages. All you need is a program called "alien". On Ubuntu: sudo apt-get install alien