Adobe Flash player has been shut down. This stops my "HP Solution Centre" (!) software working

[Stan_P]

I am using (trying to use!) HP Solution Centre with my HP1400 multifunction printer (Windows 10 PC).   When I try to start this I get a white box with an "f" symbol on it and it doesn't progress further.   This is because Adobe have shut down Flash Player.  I know Solution Centre is old,  and I suppose the answer will be that "this software is no longer supported - go buy a new printer..."     Is there any other way around this problem??

[Dragon-Fur]

@Stan_P 

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Welcome to the HP Community.

Reminder to those reading:

Do NOT respond to vermin who post phone numbers or email addresses.

HP does not post phone numbers or email in Community messages.

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Flash Player is permanently disabled as of 12-Jan-2021.

The old HP Solution Center software is based on Flash:

https://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/end-of-life.html

Ideas for Scan that do not require use of Flash...

HP Scan and Capture - Microsoft Store (formally Windows Store) - Requires Windows 8 or higher

• Download-Save-Install   HP Scan and Capture

Example

Scan_and_Capture_Document-Photo_Settings_1

What else?

HP Scan Extended apparently still works for scanning and does not include a requirement for Flash.

The Caveat:  HPSE is perhaps dependent on the Full Feature Software (previously "HP Solution Center").

HP Scan Extended

• Download-Save-Install >  HP Scan Extended 
• HPSE is a subset an older Full Feature Software suite. 
• HPSE features are very similar to the HP Scan Software released after 2015.
• Although HPSE appears to be a separate software, HPSE is dependent on the infrastructure provided by the Full Feature Software.  The Full Feature Software for your printer should be installed before installing and using HPSE.
• OPTIONAL:  Add HP Scan Extended shortcut to Taskbar / Send to Desktop / Pin to Start
  • Open File Explorer > Navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\HP\HP Scan Extended\bin
  • Right-Click HPScan.exe > Select Pin to Taskbar
  • Right-Click HPScan.exe > Select Send to Desktop (Create a Shortcut)
  • Right-Click HPScan.exe > Select Pin to Start

• HP Scan Extended features include (and are not limited to): Single, Multiple scans, Image and PDF scans, Email as PDF / JPEG, Source selection, Page Size choices include Auto-Detect (extracts image / document boundary).  Might include OCR (Save as Editable Text).

What else?

If your Twain version is supported, work around the restriction (cannot open the GUI that runs the scan software).

Solution might require installing third party software.

HP Twain – Scan software

Where available, HP Twain is part of the Full Feature Software for your printer.

After the Full Feature Software is installed,

If the software is included, HP Twain is available in the same folder as HP Scan.

For example: 

C:\Program Files (x86)\HP\HP OfficeJet Pro 9020 series\bin

NOTE:  Replace the sample printer name with your printer

NOTE 2:  When installed, HP Twain also works with  Irfanview  software.

Example

 9025_Twain_Scan_Menu_1

Next...

Irfanview > Brilliant Free Photo Viewing and Print Software

 Irfanview provides an exceptional software experience that can be used for a variety of scan and print tasks, including the “Mirror” or horizontal flip function plus several other options not found elsewhere.

• Create a Restore Point (optional, recommended)
• Download the appropriate version (32bit or 64bit) of the program from the Website and install the program
• Additional information at the website, including:  FAQ

NOTES

• Both 32bit and 64bit versions for Windows are available.
• Irfanview is also available as an Windows 10 Application from the Microsoft Store

For example,

Irfanview 64bit version – Information and Download

Software and All Plugins for 64bit version:  https://www.fosshub.com/IrfanView.html

Includes Plugin for creating Multiple-page PDF files for images (Poster or large paper printing)

Includes access (where available) to Scan with HP Twain > Adjust settings > Save

How to find Help within the Irfanview software

Once installed, open the software > tab Help

Example help entry:

Vertical/Horizontal Flip

• Click on the Image Menu, then Vertical Flip. The image will turn upside-down. The left/right orientation will stay the same.
• Click on the Image Menu, then Horizontal Flip. The image will turn side-to-side, as in a mirror.

Note: The effect can be used on a smaller portion (rectangle selection) of an image, as well as the entire image.

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Example - Irfanview - Scan Setup

Irfanview_Scan_Images_1Irfanview_Scan_Image_2

Thank you for participating in the HP Community.

The Community is a separate wing of the HP website - We are not a business group of HP..

Our Community is comprised of volunteers - people who own and use HP devices.

Click Thumbs Up to say Thank You.

Question Resolved / Answered, Click "Accept as Solution" .

[Stan_P]

Thanks Dragon-Fur!   I'll give your solutions a try...    (Perhaps it's time to get a new printer.....!)

[Dragon-Fur]

@Stan_P 

You are welcome.

The only true way to fix this is to do what you say:  Purchase newer tech (printer).

Newer generation printer software has not depended on Flash for a long time (years). 

Meanwhile, the solutions might be enough until you decide to update your tech.

Stay Safe.

Thank you for participating in the HP Community.

The Community is a separate wing of the HP website - We are not a business group of HP..

Our Community is comprised of volunteers - people who own and use HP devices.

Click Thumbs Up to say Thank You.

Question Resolved / Answered, Click "Accept as Solution" .

[Stan_P]

Dragon-Fur,  I have just discovered that you can run the Scanning part of Solution Centre (without Flash Player) by running:
"C:\Program Files (x86)\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpiscnapp.exe"   directly.   This gives you the old scan setup screen from which you seem to be able to use all the old scanning functions.   Seems to work normally..!!

[Dragon-Fur]

@Stan_P 

Excellent.

True -  A direct call to the HP Scan executable is usually a viable option.

Good Job!

Bits...

The content on these many threads / messages / posts has been updated several times since the issue first surfaced.

I missed a few of those that I answered when I updated.

I am sorry that yours was one of these - as it turns out you didn't need the help.  Smiling.

For those reading

The exact name of the "HP Scan" executable might be different for one or another printer / software.

Example:

The old Solution Center Scan software is located in "Digital Imaging"

The name of the scan executable varies.

C:\Program Files (x86)\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\

OR

C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\

Find and Double-Click on scan File name / executable.

For example:

hpiscnapp.exe 

OR

hpqkygrp.exe

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What else?

For those reading:

Flash has been permanently disabled as of 12-Jan-2021.

This causes the "startup" menu of the Solution Center to fail when you try to open the software.

There are options, both recommended and others that are "not supported" but do work according to those who have used them.

For those printers affected by the loss of Flash,

A collection of the recommended options are included in this Post:

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Printer-Setup-Software-Drivers/HP-Photosmart-4480-All-in-One-Printer-s....

Message includes a link to the TKB article on the subject.

If you do not like the recommended options, do not want to use these, or wish to see more,

Search the Community for "Solution Center" - sort the results by Date - open / read those threads that are of interest to you.

Reminder:  The only actual solution is to replace the printer.

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Thank you for participating in the HP Community.

The Community is a separate wing of the HP website - We are not an HP business group.

Our Community is comprised of volunteers - people who own and use HP devices.

Click Thumbs Up to say Thank You.

Question Resolved / Answered, Click "Accept as Solution"