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How can I use Netscape plug-ins with Opera?

Opera has the ability to use almost any plug-in that is designed for Netscape, even if the plug-in does not list Opera as a supported browser. In the following, we describe the general procedure of installing plug-ins for use with Opera.

  1. Most plug-ins come with installation wizards, i.e. programs that are used to install the plug-in on your system. If you are given a choice by the installation program, make sure that you install the plug-in for use with Netscape, and not Internet Explorer. Follow the on-screen instructions and complete the installation of the plug-in.
  2. Most plug-ins will install their own dynamic link library (.dll) files on your computer. These are the files you will need to find in order to use the plug-in with Opera. Check the plug-in's directory on your system (usually c:\Program Files<plug-in name>). Alternatively, if you installed the plug-in for Netscape Navigator or Internet Explorer, you may find the .dll files in the "plug-ins" directory of this browser.
    In order to view .dll files on Windows 95, 98, or NT, you need to set up your system so that it shows all files, including any system or hidden files. You can do this by double-clicking the "My Computer" icon on yor desktop, pulling down the "View" menu, and choosing "[Folder] Options". Click on the "View" tab, and under "Hidden Files", be sure the option "Show all files" is selected. Make sure that "Hide file extensions for known file types" is not selected. Then click "OK". Dynamic link library (.dll) files should now be visible on your system.
  3. Not all .dll files are plug-in extensions, so not all can be used by Opera. The .dll files you need will usually start with the letters "NP" (e.g. "NPSWF32.dll" for Macromedia's Flash plug-in). You can check the properties of the file by right-clicking on it and choosing "Properties" from the menu that pops up. Some files clearly indicate that they are Netscape plug-in files, but the majority will only refer to the application they belong to and that application's directory. If a .dll file is not associated with a plug-in you wish to use with Opera, you can disregard it.
  4. Copy the plug-in's .dll file(s) to Opera's "Plug-ins" directory. Then navigate to C:\ProgramFiles\Opera\Program, right-click on the "Plug-ins" folder, and choose "Paste" from the menu that pops up.
  5. After placing the plug-in's .dll file(s) in Opera's Plug-ins directory, restart Opera so that it finds the plug-in. To check that the file was found, select Tools > Advanced > Plug-ins from the menu, to load a window showing which plug-ins Opera has installed. If the plug-in is not listed, you most likely did not copy the correct .dll file to Opera's Plug-ins directory. Go back to the plug-in's directory, and try once more to find the proper .dll file for use with Opera.
  6. After you have found the correct .dll file, copied it to Opera's Plug-ins directory, and checked to see whether Opera has recognized it, the final test is to view some plug-in-specific content. Most plug-in developers include plug-in-specific content on their Web sites.
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