Can't preview, and when published, got this error message: "For security reason, Flash can't access the files on your hard drive..."

Oct 19, 2016

Hello, I am running Articulate storyline on my vm. I just started this demo and wanted to show it to my client. However, the preview does not work - it takes forever to spin and compile but never reaches the last step. 

When I tried to publish and view it locally, it gives me this message:

"For security reason, Flash can't access the files on your hard drive..."

Please help...

3 Replies
Crystal Horn

Hey there, Maggie.  It sounds like you're running into a new security feature with Flash Player's latest update, which requires you to identify file locations as "trusted."  We have some more information in this article.

One recommendation we always make is to upload your content to its published environment.  If you'd like to view it locally, publishing for CD is a great option.  It allows you to launch right from your desktop without any interference from browser security settings!

Angie Elliott

Hello!
I am running into this same issue with my SL2 course, which I published with HTML5 options. I copied the files over to our server. Two of my colleagues can launch it directly from our server using Google Chrome. I cannot launch it with either IE or Chrome. I get the same error message that the above linked article indicates. I have added the file path for my server to the Flash Settings Manager, but that does not work (like it does with my C drive.) One of the two colleagues of mine didn't have anything listed in her Flash Settings at all. So it seems weird that this is happening on my laptop and not theirs.

My other question, just so I have better understanding, is can someone explain to me why is it trying to run Flash from the story.html file? 

Crystal Horn

Hi Angie.  

To answer your last question first...  If Flash is enabled in the browser, your course will default to playing the Flash version using the story.html file.  

I agree that it is strange that your colleagues are having a different experience than you are.

Do you know if they are viewing the story_html5.html file instead?  That file will launch the HTML5 version of the course, which is supported in Chrome (not IE), and the Flash settings won't matter.

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