How to Play Flash Files on Your Computer

Files with extension swf are very common in the Internet. These flash files appear in almost every website, greeting cards, blog... However, how you would play this type of files when you download it into your computer?

Here are three methods to play flash files:

1. Using Internet Explorer:

Operate Internet Explorer, go to "Open" in menu and locate the flash file you want to play. The disadvantage of this method is you cannot fast forward, pause or adjust the volume.

2. Using Windows Media Player:

If you want to use Windows Media Player to play your flash files, depending on what version you are using, you must download the suitable codec. Click here to go to Microsoft website and find the codec you want.

3. Downloading a Professional Flash Player:

This is the most recommended way because you cannot only just watch flash file but also capture the screen, use it as a screensaver and fast-forward it. However, there are many flash players. Which one should you download?

Well, I have a recommendation that you may want to try. It is Flash Movie Player, a multi-function flash player. Besides, you can download it free here. The usage of this program is also very simple. Click "Open" and locate the flash (.swf) file you want to play. The file will appear on playlist on the right side of the window. Moreover, you can open a flash file online by putting in the URL of the file and click "OK".

Flash Movie Player provides many viewing features like fullscreen, zoom, exact fit, always on top... Click menu "View" to see it for yourself. For your convenient, you should also save your playlist by clicking "Save playlist" in the right corner. It will be saved as .fmp file. Just double click this saved file to reopen it. This program allows you to capture any screen in you flash file. In order to do this, you have to move the seeker into frame you want to capture. Click "Pause". Go to menu "File", click "Take a Snapshot" and locate where you want to save the photo file. The output file has jpeg extension.

Also in menu "File", you are provided a very useful feature. That is changing your flash file into screensaver file. Choose "Set as Screensaver" in menu "File" and follow the appeared instruction. Furthermore, Flash Movie Player allows you to save flash file (.swf) as *.exe file. In order to do this, you have to click "Save as" and change file type to exe.

Now, you know three methods to play *.swf file, a common file types in the Internet. Depending on your demand, I hope you can choose your suitable method in this article.