Extracting Flash Content from Web Pages
I recently received a request for how do to this, so I’ve written a short tutorial on it.
Most flash content can be extracted from web pages using your browser without the need for additional software. The following tutorial outlines how to do this using IE 7:
Step 1
Empty your browser’s cache of temporary internet files.
Go to ‘Tools’ ‘Internet Options’ under the ‘General’ tab click on the ‘Delete’ button under ‘Browsing History’
The ‘Delete Browsing History’ window will appear – click the ‘Delete’ button next to ‘Temporary internet Files’
A warning will appear asking if you ‘are sure you want to delete all temporary internet files’
Click ‘OK’
Step 2
Open the page containing the flash content you would like to extract in your browser.
Step 3
Go to ‘Tools’ ‘Internet Options’ under the ‘General’ tab click on the ‘Settings’ button under ‘Browsing History’
The ‘Temporary Internet Files and History Settings’ window will appear.
Click on the ‘View Files’ button – this will display all your browser’s temporary internet files.
The temporary internet files folder will open – click ‘View’ and select ‘Details’
Locate the flash file – this will be listed with ‘Flash Movie’ in the ‘type’ column.
Step 4
Copy and paste out the flash movie to store it elsewhere on your computer.
Free Software for Extracting Flash from Web Pages
The above tutorial will work where it is not possible to install software onto perhaps a networked work station you’re working on. Although this works, it is rather convoluted; an easier method is to install one of the many free flash extractor applications available. The list below illustrates some of the more popular:
SWF Catcher – IE / Firefox
