Windows update breaks Flash!

Here is an insidious new twist from our friends in Redmond (Microsoft). Having lost a patent lawsuit to Eolas Technologies, Microsoft has “fixed” their Internet Explorer software to comply with the terms of the settlement.

As a result of this settlement, the latest Windows update contains a tweak to the Internet Explorer web browser which adds a border around EMBED, APPLET and OBJECT components such as Macromedia Flash, QuickTime, RealPlayer, Java and Adobe Acrobat. This breaks uncountable millions of pages throughout the Net.

To fix the problem, follow these steps:

1) Just below the last <object> in your HTML page, insert the following Javascript:

<script type=”text/javascript” xsrc=”ieupdate.js” mce_src=”ieupdate.js” ></script>

2) Open a new document in Notepad or your HTML editor, and copy & paste the following content into it:

theObjects = document.getElementsByTagName(“object”);
for (var i = 0; i < theObjects.length; i++) {
theObjects[i].outerHTML = theObjects[i].outerHTML;
}

3) Save this file as ieupdate.js

4) Upload both files to your web server, and the problem should be solved.

To read more about this issue and see other solutions available, please visit:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/ieupdate
http://www.macromedia.com/devnet/activecontent/articles/devletter.html
http://blog.deconcept.com/2005/12/15/internet-explorer-eolas-changes-and-the-flash-plugin
http://www.amarasoftware.com/flash-problem.htm

Even if your Flash based website appears to be unaffected at this time, we strongly suggest implementing the update immediately because your visitors will see a website that behaves in a way you never intended.

GOOGLE NEWS on Microsoft V. Eolas Technologies

Thanks to our friend and customer Ted of www.tedpadwe.com for alerting us to this news and finding the solution!

Artur April 21, 2006