Getting Legacy Flash (NPAPI) to Work in Newer Opera Versions: A Deep Dive

For users of older websites that rely on Adobe Flash Player, transitioning to newer browsers like Opera can present challenges. Specifically, the newer versions of Opera, built on Chromium, have moved away from supporting the older NPAPI (Netscape Plugin API) flash plugins. This article explores the intricacies of getting legacy Flash plugins to function within newer Opera versions, offering practical solutions and explanations.

The Problem: NPAPI Flash and Modern Browsers

The original poster, "kimiraikkonen85," encountered this very issue when attempting to use a portable version of Opera 34. They found that the browser was unable to detect the NPSWF32.DLL file, the core component of the NPAPI Flash plugin, despite it being present in various conventional plugin locations. They noted that while older versions of Opera (12.17) had no issues, the new architecture seemed to fundamentally prevent recognition of the plugin.

• Legacy Opera (12.17): Seamlessly located and utilized NPAPI plugins.
• Newer Opera (34+): Failed to recognize the NPSWF32.DLL, despite its presence.
• File Structure Changes: The traditional plugin paths were no longer valid in the new Opera's folder structure.

Understanding the Shift: NPAPI vs. PPAPI

The core reason for this difficulty lies in the architectural changes within modern browsers. Modern versions of Opera now favor PPAPI (Pepper Plugin API) Flash plugins. This transition is because NPAPI is an older technology that has been phased out due to security concerns and performance limitations.

Key Differences:

• NPAPI (Netscape Plugin API): An older plugin architecture, now largely deprecated.
• PPAPI (Pepper Plugin API): A newer, more secure, and efficient plugin architecture.

Solutions and Workarounds: Making Flash Work

While NPAPI support is diminishing, some workarounds can be attempted to get legacy Flash content working in newer Opera versions.

1. Using Command-Line Switches

One suggestion involves using command-line switches to force Opera to recognize plugins in a specific directory. This involves modifying the Opera shortcut:

1. Locate the Opera Shortcut: Find the shortcut used to launch Opera (usually points to launcher.exe).

2. Modify the Shortcut: Right-click on the shortcut, select "Properties," and in the "Target" field, add the following:

   • --extra-plugin-dir="C:\path\to\your\plugins"

   • Replace "C:\path\to\your\plugins" with the actual directory containing the NPSWF32.DLL file.

   • Important: Ensure the path is enclosed in quotes.

3. Enable NPAPI Support: Type opera://flags/?search=npapi in the address bar and enable NPAPI support (if available). Note that this flag may not exist in newer versions of Opera, as NPAPI support is being phased out entirely.

Caveats:

• This method might not work consistently, especially as Opera and Chromium continue to drop NPAPI support.
• It's not a guaranteed solution for all NPAPI plugins.

2. Installing the PPAPI Version of Flash

The recommended approach is to install the PPAPI version of Adobe Flash Player. This is the version that modern Opera is designed to work with.

1. Download PPAPI Flash: Visit the Adobe Flash Player download page and select the "Download Flash Player PPAPI" option for your operating system.
2. Install Flash: Follow the installation instructions. Opera should automatically recognize the PPAPI Flash plugin after installation.

3. Specifying PPAPI Flash Path Directly

In some cases, you might need to specify the path to the PPAPI Flash DLL directly using command-line arguments. This is especially relevant for portable Opera installations.

1. Download PPAPI Flash: Obtain the PPAPI Flash DLL (e.g., pepflashplayer32_XX_X_X_XXX.dll). A user reported success downloading it from a third-party site (http://effect8.ru/soft/media/adobe-flash-player-portable.html - Use with caution, download at your own risk).

2. Modify the Opera Shortcut: Add the following command-line arguments to the Opera shortcut:

   • --ppapi-flash-path="C:\path\to\pepflashplayer32_XX_X_X_XXX.dll"
   • --ppapi-flash-version="XX.X.X.XXX" (Replace XX.X.X.XXX with the actual version number of the DLL.)
   • Example: "C:\Users\username\Desktop\Opera 34 Portable\flashplugin\x86\pepflashplayer32_20_0_0_286.dll" --ppapi-flash-version="20.0.0.286"

Note: The file name pepflashplayer32_XX_X_X_XXX.dll may vary depending on the Flash version.

4. Addressing YouTube and HTML5

Even with Flash enabled, YouTube might default to using HTML5. You can try extensions like "Magic Actions for YouTube" to force Flash playback if desired.

The Inevitable Demise of NPAPI

It's crucial to understand that NPAPI support is actively being removed from Chromium-based browsers like Opera. While the above methods might offer temporary solutions, they are not future-proof. The long-term solution involves:

• Migrating to HTML5: If you are a website developer, prioritize migrating your Flash content to HTML5 technologies.
• Using Alternative Browsers: Consider using older browsers that still fully support NPAPI plugins, but be aware of potential security risks.
• Virtualization: Run older browsers within a virtual machine to isolate them from your primary system, enhancing security.

Conclusion

While getting legacy NPAPI Flash plugins to work in newer Opera versions can be challenging, it's not always impossible. By understanding the architectural changes and utilizing command-line switches or installing the PPAPI version of Flash, you might be able to access older Flash content. However, keep in mind that these solutions are temporary, and transitioning to modern web technologies is the most sustainable approach. Remember to always prioritize security and download plugins from trusted sources like Adobe.