There is an update for Windows Internet Explorer that keeps you from activating plug ins. This is a easy fix and I am including the download site for people to easily update there browser from Microsoft. Below are the links for operating systems and browser types.

Internet Explorer 6 for Windows XP
Internet Explorer 6 for Windows Server 2003
Internet Explorer 7 for Windows XP
Internet Explorer 7 for Windows Server 2003
Internet Explorer 7 in Windows Vista

You can find the main page about this at the link below:
Internet Explorer Automatic Component Activation