Free open-source Flash player
Ruffle is a free and open-source emulator software that lets you play Flash content easily. It’s developed and written in the Rust programming language and supports .SWF files. Website owners can download the standalone version, but there is also a Ruffle browser extension and desktop application options depending on your needs.
Mike Walsh started working on this program’s predecessor, Fluster, as a side project back in 2016. However, it became an open-source venture with Adobe’s announcement that it will discontinue its Flash Player in favour of HTML5. Ruffle in Rust, a programming language known for its performance and security, so many consider it safe to use.
More about Ruffle
What was Adobe Flash?
Adobe Flash was a software platform that let users create and view multimedia content, including animation, vector graphics, rich web applications, mobile apps, and more. It was also extremely popular among browser-based game creators and players alike.
Good news for Flash content fans
The improved HTML5 standard and the recent discontinuation of Adobe Flash Player drove Flash-based games and web content to near-obsoletion. While you can convert Flash multimedia content to HTML5, the process isn’t perfect and is often complicated. Fortunately for Flash die-hards, the Ruffle emulator and other alternatives like Lightspark and Flashpoint solve this problem.
How to use Ruffle on Microsoft
If you want to run Flash content on your Windows PC, you can download Ruffle’s native desktop application. Once you’ve installed it, you simply need to choose the .SWF file you’d like to play. You can also run commands and change the settings.
The Ruffle extension is ideal for online use with your preferred web browser. It automatically identifies and plays Flash media, so you don’t need to perform any configurations after downloading it.
There’s also a standalone version that lets website owners retain their Flash media. You’ll find all of these apps on Ruffle’s website, along with in-depth guides to get the Flash Player emulator up and running.
No more ruffled feathers with Ruffle
While HTML5 is the new standard, there’s still a plethora of content, browser games, and other media that requires a Flash player to take advantage of. HTML5 conversion isn’t the only option, thanks to emulators like Ruffle. It supports Windows and has dedicated options for online and PC use.
