Microsoft Silverlight is not a program. On the one hand, it is a technology for developing multimedia software on the other hand, a platform for developing this software.
Official Microsoft Silverlight logo
Why is it needed?
Silverlight was developed by Microsoft as a broader, safer and more productive technology than its direct competitor. The purpose of both technologies is identical, namely the development and support of applications with vector, raster 2D and 3D graphics, audio and video clips. It is a platform for RIA applications.
RIAs are web applications that are downloaded to the user’s device for execution. While working, they can complete components from the Internet.
Silverlight combines 4 of the most important modern web components.
It was assumed that Silverligth would be deployed on each operating platform, but in fact it appeared only on Windows, Mac OS X, Symbian. Cross-platform also implies that an application developed using Silverligth should work well and look the same as on the screen personal computer, and on the display of a tablet or smartphone.
A key component of the Silverligth platform is XALM, a markup language. It allows you to include text in your application that is indexed by search engines (Google, ).
Silverlight applications (starting from version 2) are part of the .NET technology, which allows them to be developed in any of the platform languages (C#, Object C++, Python).
What do you need to install
For a programmer, installing Silverlight involves deploying the appropriate development environment on your PC: Visual Studio on Windows and Mac OS X, and Mono on Linux.
For the user, Silverlight is a module or plugin for a web browser. To use its capabilities, you need to download a browser that supports it.
Do you need Silverlight
If you are a user, then the answer is clear. No. In 2012, the technology was officially recognized as unpromising and obsolete. And today no modern browser supports it (except Edge).
Although there are several hundred powerful enterprise solutions on Silverligth, the number of applications is dwindling every month. Microsoft experts suggest that by 2021 there will not be a single Silverlight-based application left.
The user should not worry that some web component will be inaccessible to him. Software manufacturers either long ago replaced components written in Silverlight in their software products, or implemented support for both Silverlight and Flash.
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Microsoft Silverlight often prompts you to install an update center. In fact, it is required for the operation of a variety of multimedia Internet applications. In fact, it is used on websites and Internet resources to play audio and video, to play GIFs and the like. In fact, in some ways this utility duplicates standard flash, which is used on many sites. The utility was developed by Microsoft as its competitor, but more safe.
Advantages and features of the application
The utility is installed in many browsers as a plugin and helps to play multimedia content from Internet resources. Advantage It may be that the utility was developed by Microsoft, and therefore will not harm the user’s computer and system. At the same time, on those sites that I use this technology, the user will be able to see the full range of content provided by the developer, which can be considered an undoubted advantage.
Application development
In October 2008, the developer presented second version of my plugin, which greatly expanded its functionality. Working with a large amount of source data has become available, and tools for security control user. At the same time, it became possible to custom edit source code and adding new options, six months after the release of the version, the plugin has already been downloaded more than 300 million times. 
Released in 2009 third option program in which several options were added:
- 3D graphics.
- Improved animation.
- New video and audio standards.
- Using GPU accelerators.
IN fourth edition it became possible to transmit a video stream from the client to the server, and the ability to use a web camera and microphone was added. IN fifth version these functions have been expanded:
- Ability to change playback speed.
- Accelerated application launch.
- Improved text readability.
- Added support for 64-bit operating systems
Do you need Microsoft Silverlight on your computer?
The need for this plugin on the user's device is a highly controversial point. Of course, this plugin will help the user see more fully the functionality that developers put on the site, however, do not forget that supportnpapi has been banned by most browsers for some time. Thus, in order to fully see all the available opportunities on Internet resources, the user will have to use outdated versions browsers, in this case, you will have to prohibit them from updating. 
Don’t forget that if the functionality is not supported, it won’t be used by sites. In addition, although a little, the service consumes computer power and increases traffic, which for users not with the latest hardware can play a significant role. Of course, IE continues to support this service, so for those who use this browser, this problem may not be so relevant.
How to install silverlight
First, you need to go to the developer’s website and download the Microsoft Silverlight installer file from there: https://www.microsoft.com/ru-ru/SoftMicrosoft/silverlight.aspx. After this, all that remains is run the downloaded file and wait for the process to complete, then all you have to do is restart your browser and that’s it, the plugin is ready to work. 
Enabling and disabling a plugin
After installing the silverlight plugin, you can enable and disable it as you wish. To do this, you just need to go to the appropriate settings item in your browser. In Chrome you should go to Extra options and go to extensions, here the required plugin will be found. In Firefox it will be located in the same place as all other plugins and its can be disabled or completely remove it from the system.
In Opera, first you need to enable developer menu.
After which you can go to a new menu item and find the section you are looking for. 
Plugin update
If the user receives an update that the silverlight plugin is out of date, it needs to be updated. To configure updates, go to the plugin properties, then go to tabupdates. There are several modes available here: automatic installation, check and notification, complete shutdown. 
The user will only have to select the item that is most convenient for him.
Removing Silverlight
To get started, you can simply go to the control panel, and from there proceed to install and remove programs. Here you need to find the utility, click on remove and wait complete removal from your computer, after which a reboot may be required. You can also use one of the utilities that specialize in software removal, for example revo uninstaller, this will help you avoid using the next step.
Cleaning your computer after removal
You can install one of special programs who check and clean your computer from junk and fix the registry, for example ccleaner, which is available on the official website https://www.ccleaner.com. 
To begin with, you can use the first point and delete all unnecessary data from the computer, then go to the registry and click on search for problems. After finishing the analysis, click on fix, do backups files and wait for the process to complete.
This review will help you understand the Microsoft Silverlight program. What it is? What are the main features? What is the purpose? While on the Internet, many users often come across this name, which is combined with the word “plugin”. are called a special software component that can be connected to any program, thereby expanding the possibilities of its use. So, the plugin for the browser is Microsoft Silverlight. What does it mean? This means that it connects to installed browser in any operating system and expands its functionality.
What kind of program is Microsoft Silverlight?
This plugin is a cross-browser and cross-platform development designed for developing and demonstrating media applications on the Internet. It works with all popular operating systems and in all major browsers. Why do you need Microsoft Silverlight? It allows you to play WMA and WMV in browsers. There is no need for any additional components, such as a player.
The plugin supports the XAML language, which is used to create the user interface. It includes panels, graphic shapes, controls, and document elements.
There is also support for the JavaScript programming language, which runs on almost all Internet pages.
Later versions of the plugin received support for .NET software technology, which is used to develop both desktop programs and web applications.
The name of the plugin is translated into Russian as “silver light”.
Development of Microsoft Silverlight
In October 2008, Microsoft introduced the second version of the plugin, to which many new things were added: data security, work with a large number source data and formats. At the same time, it was announced that work would now be carried out with the open source community. Thus, codes and libraries for working with Microsoft Silverlight were added to the development environment. What does it mean? Enthusiasts from all over the world could expand the functionality of the plugin, and the audience of users would reach Linux.
Six months after its release, the second version of the plugin had been installed more than 300 million times.
In March 2009, the third version was introduced with support for new features, including:
- 3D graphics.
- Improved animation.
- New video and audio standards.
- Using GPU accelerators.
The fourth version began to support video transmission to the server from the client, as well as the use of a microphone and webcam.
At the beginning of December 2010, Microsoft Silverlight 5 was announced. The newest version has greatly improved the work with 3D graphics. Other changes include:
- Ability to change playback speed.
- Accelerated application launch.
- Improved text readability.
- Support for 64-bit operating systems has appeared.
Using the plugin
Company representatives claim that the costs of developing interactive Internet services will decrease from using Microsoft Silverlight. What does this mean? Due to the fact that the development integrates seamlessly with existing technologies, the work of programmers will be made easier.
The plugin is capable of displaying video files in high resolution. Website developers and designers can use Microsoft Silverlight to create their own web applications.
In the process of promoting its plugin, the company began to partner with a large number of popular portals, where a player based on the plugin was integrated. Thus began competition with the then popular Adobe Flash, on which a large number of players on the Internet are based.
Installing the plugin
To use the plugin, you must install it. To do this, you need to go to the official Microsoft Silverlight website. What does this site offer? It will be here installation file, which you need to download and run. The installation process is automatic. When finished, you just need to restart your browser and the plugin will start working.
Can be customized automatic update, but if the user wants to control everything, then it is possible to either disable the function or force it to notify about the availability of a new version.
Today, the plugin is already losing its position, as it is being replaced by more advanced technologies. But it should be noted that it did not deserve its place of honor among the computer developments that influenced the IT sphere.
Web technologies are constantly being improved and almost every advanced user who has configured a browser to suit their needs, or moreover, is developing web applications, has come across the Microsoft Silverlight program. So what is this Microsoft Silverlight software product and is there a need to install it?
Many people know that Microsoft Silverlight is a cross-browser module platform created for the design and development of Internet applications, programs for computers and mobile devices. As soon as Silverlight from Microsoft appeared on the market, it immediately received the status of a competitor Adobe Flash, because the product was designed specifically to expand the capabilities of the browser. But not only advanced users, but also web product developers became interested in the application due to its wide capabilities. The browser extension works on Windows, Linux and MacOS.
From the point of view of an inexperienced user, Microsoft Silverlight is perceived as an ordinary add-on with which the user device can be expanded to view web pages with a variety of visual effects, audio-video clips and animation.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Microsoft Silverlight
Probably the main advantage of the Microsoft Silverlight program is the ability to work with the XAML extension language, for which Microsoft Silverlight is especially loved by advanced web designers and Microsoft Silverlight programmers. The fact is that some of the developers' ideas cannot be implemented due to the limitations of the web platform. And the solution here is the XAML markup language, which works perfectly in tandem with Microsoft Silverlight. The product allows you to save the web page created by the designer in XAML format, after which the document will be displayed in the browser field. The developer will then have access to the document in java-script. I think you are already beginning to understand what Microsoft Silverlight is and whether you need it.
To put it simply, developers get after Microsoft installations Silverlight is more simplified and handy tool for creating games, animations, widgets, banners, etc.
Graphics plugin functionality
- playing videos without using Windows Media Player;
- support for .NET and .XAML languages;
- there is a streaming service called Smooth Streaming;
- Expression Studio 3's Sketchflow tool increases productivity and speed;
- placement of content in three-dimensional space;
- Deep Zoom function, which allows you to smoothly and quickly zoom videos on the Internet;
- V Microsoft program Silverlight CPU decoding available;
- facilitated interaction with large amounts of data on the Internet;
- the size of the executable files does not exceed 4 megabytes and installation takes ten seconds;
- there are pixel shader effects;
- The Microsoft Silverlight plugin is installed in browsers, which eliminates the possibility of it becoming infected with viruses;
- compatibility with a variety of platforms (cross-platform).
Disadvantages of the Silverlight program
- Microsoft Silverlight software does not always work properly on outdated computers;
- works only if there is an active Internet connection;
- has limited access to device resources, which somewhat affects the capabilities.
Now, after we figured out that this is Microsoft Silverlight, you can see for yourself that the product has a lot of advantages, but only a couple of disadvantages. For creating RIA applications The product is the best among all others due to access to the browser DOM and calling RIA code from java-script.
To summarize, then Microsoft application Silverlight is actively used by developers when they need to implement certain ideas in a software environment that is convenient for them. The product was not particularly well received by ordinary users, because they simply did not need its wide functionality.
Video for a detailed review:
While working on the Internet, we often come across references to Microsoft Silverlight, which is so necessary for the operation of some player or control element on the page that interests us. So what is it and what is it for?
Microsoft Silverlight, along with the well-known Adobe Flash, is a software base or so-called platform that makes it possible to place audio and video recordings, animated graphics and various interactive RIA (Rich Internet Application) applications on Internet services. Support for this software platform implemented as in Windows environment(starting from Windows 2000), as well as MacOS, Linux and Symbian. Silverlight includes a browser plugin that allows you to work with Internet applications in the most popular browsers such as Opera, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari and Internet Explorer. On this moment Most browsers for mobile devices also support this technology. Thanks to the introduction and widespread use of Silverlight, colorfully designed and fully interactive Internet resources of the Web 2.0 standard have appeared. In other words, we have almost full-fledged programs that are not inferior in functionality to common applications on our computer, but launched directly from the window of our favorite browser.
The advantages of Microsoft Silverlight include:
- the ability to install the plugin in any of Windows systems, MacOS or Linux;
- the plugin is completely free;
- installs in just 10 seconds and weighs only 4 megabytes;
- support for playing high-definition video recordings;
- support for playing video and audio of popular formats in a browser window without using Windows Media Player;
- programs that run in a browser window do not need to be installed;
- You can access your favorite application from any computer connected to the network;
- a program that is not installed on a computer is much more difficult to infect with a virus;
- your favorite applications no longer need to be updated; this is done automatically by the developer himself.
And one more benefit for developers: any text written in Silverlight-based applications can be indexed and will be accessible to search engines. Adobe Flash couldn't do that.
But not everything is as simple and smooth as we would like. There are a number of shortcomings that prevent applications written on this platform from completely replacing the programs we are familiar with.
Among these disadvantages are:
- the capabilities of programs are still very limited, since they cannot gain full access to computer resources (web applications are launched in a special so-called sandbox, that is, a strictly isolated safe environment);
- when first launched, Silverlight places its engine in the browser cache, so the application can take a long time to open, especially on weak computers;
- it is impossible to run the application on a computer not connected to the Internet;
- with each new version The complexity of programming in Silverlight increases.
In the end, I would like to give a few examples of websites and Internet applications created using Silverlight technology:
Joe Rassic is a fighting game where dinosaurs act as fighters;
Pre-Columbian Artifacts is a virtual museum in which each exhibit can be examined in detail;
Warstory - tactical strategy about the Second World War;
In addition, the well-known widgets for the sidebar Windows panels Vista and Desktop Windows desktop 7 are also written using Microsoft Silverlight technology.
