Adobe® Flex® includes code and applications that make the updating process for the player simple for you and nearly transparent for the client. These files are located in the sdk_install_dir/templates directory for Flex SDK and the install_dir/sdks/3.0.0/templates directory for Adobe® Flex® Builder™.

The recommended method of ensuring that Flash Player can run the Flex application on the client is to use Express Install. With Express Install, you can detect when users do not have the latest version of Flash Player, and you can initiate an update process that installs the latest version of the player from the Adobe website. When the installation is complete, users are directed back your website, where they can run your Flex application.

Express Install runs a SWF file in the existing Flash Player to upgrade users to the latest version of the player. As a result, Express Install requires that Flash Player already be installed on the client, and that it be version 6.0.65 or later. The Express Install feature also relies on JavaScript detection logic in the browser to ensure that the player required to start the process exists. As a result, the browser must have JavaScript enabled for Express Install to work.

If the player on the client is not new enough to support Express Install, you can display alternate content, redirect the user to the Flash Player download page, or initiate another type of Flash Player upgrade experience. For information on using alternative Player upgrade techniques, see Alternatives to Express Install.