How does adobe flash player work?

Check this on official site http://www.adobe.com/software/flash/about/ 

Could be your registry has crashed, check it with CCLEANER (freeware) to clean up. 

... play Videos upstream, then the Flash works, cause many sites need compatability ... on your system to work those files. Site which ... you to keep uplifting your flash to the latest version, ...  

Adobe Flash Player is a technology rather than an ... you can start. Once installed, Adobe Flash Player enables you to watch, play ... and stream Flash content. This isn't a standalone ...