Can't install updates for Flash, get the "unable to install application configuration" error message

I'm using Windows 7 32-bit with Firefox 17.0.1 -- everything's up to date.  I keep getting this error every time I try to update an Adobe add-on using the idiot stub installer -- I don't have this problem with a full installer, such as I've been able to find for Shockwave.  Why can't I donwload a full installer for Flash or Reader and avoid this stupid problem???  It started about two or three Windows updates ago, and nothing else is now on my system.  I don't really care who's responsible (Windows/Microsoft or Adobe) -- I jut want the blasted things to update and work.  HELP!!!