FlexNet Publisher

Simon · Aug 22, 2011, 21:50:25

Has anyone heard of FlexNet Publisher? Secunia PSI is asking to update it, but I haven't a clue where it came from, or what it does. I would uninstall it, but it doesn't appear in Add / Remove Programs. Google seems to indicate it's a legitimate program, but information seems sparse.

Steve · Aug 22, 2011, 21:58:28

Never heard of it.

I think?? some software vendor who's software is installed on your PC has incorporated Flexnet Publisher as the licence protection software.

http://www.flexerasoftware.com/products/flexnet-publisher/features.htm

Simon · Aug 22, 2011, 22:08:51

Yes, that's what it seems, Steve. I'd just like to know which software it was. It's in C:\Program Files\Common Files\Macrovision Shared\FLEXnet Publisher - but I don't appear to have any Macrovision software installed either.

Steve · Aug 22, 2011, 22:22:19

I think Macrovision and Flexnet Publisher where one and the same, some time ago. Some software on your PC or previously intalled is using it for licensing purposes.

Simon · Aug 22, 2011, 22:24:32

Yes so it seems. Trouble is, there's no uninstall, and I don't want to just delete it, in case something is dependant on it.

Steve · Aug 22, 2011, 22:27:09

Struggling to find specific software but Adobe Acrobat 8 used flex net for licensing.

Simon · Aug 22, 2011, 22:40:38

Well, I have that.

zappaDPJ · Aug 22, 2011, 22:46:55

Adobe Acrobat is the most likely culprit but Autodesk, Cadence OrCAD and quite a number of heavy duty design packages install it. You can't uninstall it as you already know and you can't delete it either. Well you can try but I suspect the application that requires it will simply replace the files. A word of warning though, Acrobat I know for a fact will not run without this service or at least it didn't in the past.

Simon · Aug 22, 2011, 22:48:07

OK, thanks Zap.