Microsoft started to forcefully remove Flash Player from Windows 10
Microsoft’s plans to remove Flash Player from the Windows 10 operating system have been known for a long time, and until recently, users could do it on their own using the optional KB4577586 update package. It became known that the outdated component of the software platform will be automatically removed after installing the February cumulative update, of which the KB4577586 package has become a part.
According to reports, users of Windows 10 20H2, Windows 10 (2004), and earlier versions, which are still officially supported, can completely uninstall Flash Player in automatic mode. The OS Cumulative Update began rolling out earlier this month and will be available on all compatible devices over the coming weeks. You can check its availability using Windows Update.
The source notes that the update installation does not take much time, but it will not be possible to remove it from the OS using standard means. This means that you will not be able to use Flash Player in the future because KB4577586 blocks the reinstallation of this component. It is noteworthy that the mentioned update does not affect the versions of Flash Player installed by the user; they will have to be uninstalled yourself.
Microsoft previously disabled Flash Player support in its new Edge browser. Google and Mozilla followed a similar path and got rid of legacy software support in their Chrome and Firefox browsers.
